Volunteers to Support Flooded Residents

22/03/2019

Team Townsville volunteers will check on the wellbeing of flood-affected residents this weekend.

Townsville City Council will reunite with YWAM, Combined Churches, Lions and other community groups to visit houses in key areas.

Community and Cultural Development Committee Chair Cr Colleen Doyle said volunteers will say hi to residents, listen to their concerns and link them with any community services they may need.

“Volunteers swept through suburbs in our initial response to the monsoonal weather,” Cr Doyle said.

“We’re adopting a more strategic approach now to make sure we connect with the people who need help the most.

“We want to help residents who aren’t reaching out to support services so we’re keen to make sure they feel comfortable talking to us.”

Townsville Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chair Deputy Mayor Les Walker is urging residents to make the most of the opportunity.

“The volunteers are targeting specific suburbs and they will see some familiar faces, but a lot has changed in the past few weeks,” Cr Walker said.

“Recovery is an ongoing process and the people we met last month will have different needs now as the initial shock of the flood is gone.

“The people that stepped up to help their neighbours initially might need our support now.

“We really want to help people who are socially isolated or vulnerable so we’ll look to connect with older residents and families that have English as a second language.”

YWAM Corporate and Government Affairs Manager, Jennifer Rentsch, said it’s a privilege to help affected residents.

“Over 200 YWAM volunteers were involved in the first phase, and now we’re putting the call out to other people in the city who would like to help,” Mrs Rentsch said.

“Residents who weren’t affected by the monsoon may be wondering if they can help at this time. This is a very meaningful way to support neighbours.” 

Over the coming weeks, volunteers plan to visit houses in some of the worst-hit areas including Hermit Park, Rosslea, Oonoonba and Idalia.

They also plan to visit Alligator Creek and Cungulla.

Any residents who need support can contact the services below:

NQ Connect(Free 24/7 counselling for all North Queenslanders)1300 059 625
Lifeline131 114
Kids Helpline (5 – 25 years old) 1800 551 800 
National Indigenous Critical Response Service1800 805 801
Free Translating and Interpreting Service(For hard of hearing or speech impairment)131 450
National Relay Service133 677