Disaster recovery
Access personal support services after a disaster and find ways to get involved in disaster recovery in your community.
Disaster recovery in Brisbane
Floods, bushfires and severe weather can have a devastating impact on households, communities and businesses in Brisbane.
After a disaster, we work with emergency services, businesses and communities to get the city back on its feet. Together we:
- clean up and clear debris
- rebuild damaged buildings and infrastructure
- restore local habitat
- get the economy back on track
- support the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of people affected.
You don’t have to recover from a disaster alone. There is support you can turn to as you take disaster recovery steps.
You can also be part of Brisbane’s recovery effort by volunteering your time or donating to help communities in need.
Locate missing pets or animals
To help reunite pets and their owners, we keep a register of lost and found animals in Brisbane.
Missing family pet or animal
If your family pet is missing after a disaster, you can:
- check if they're being held at a Council animal rehoming centre
- check the RSCPA's website or call the RSPCA on 1300 363 736
- contact local vets.
If your pet isn’t listed online, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 to register your details.
Found pet or animal
If you find a lost animal:
Volunteer after a disaster
Help make a difference to the community’s recovery from natural disasters by volunteering. Volunteers lend their time and expertise to help speed up the recovery process.
Volunteering Queensland coordinates registration for volunteer clean-ups in communities affected by floods and other emergencies.
You can register with Volunteering Queensland as:
- an individual
- an organisation
- a volunteer group.
Make a donation
Donations provide much-needed relief to people recovering from a disaster.
Local charities and disaster appeals use donations to:
- distribute emergency supplies, including food and medical supplies
- provide clothing, bedding and furniture to impacted households
- fund repairs and rebuilding of infrastructure.
| Charities and groups you can donate to | |
|---|---|
| Givit Red Cross - 1300 554 419 Foodbank - 07 3395 8422 | Salvation Army - 13 72 58 Lifeline - 1800 800 768 |
Recovery for businesses
Floods, bushfires and severe storms can have a serious impact on your business’ finances and property.
Damage from a disaster can force you to close, relocate or need specialist advice during recovery.
Cleaning up after a disaster
Cleaning up and clearing the mess caused by a natural disaster can take time.
Before returning to your business premises, consider whether your actions could impact your:
- insurance
- personal safety
- electrical and power safety
- gas safety
- asbestos exposure
- food safety.
Download the clean-up considerations and safety tips fact sheet for business owners (Word - 98kb).
Dispose of your waste and debris at Council’s resource recovery centres. They accept:
- general waste
- hazardous waste
- green waste
- recyclable items.
Useful contacts
Depending on the impact of the disaster, you may need specific types of support or business advice.
This includes:
- financial and tax assistance
- legal aid
- Australian and Queensland Government support
- non-government support.
For information on the support you can access, download the support and agency contact information sheet for businesses (Word - 97kb).
The Business Queensland website also has resources to help you rebuild and recover after a disaster.