Thousands of Queenslanders in need receive share of $10 million in disaster relief funding Tropical Cyclone Oswald caused widespread flooding earlier this year. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen Source: News Limited MORE than 6200 disaster-stricken Queenslanders have shared in about $10 million worth of donations following this year's summer of disasters when vast areas of the state flooded. The Queensland Floods Appeal committee wrapped up last month after dispensing $10.843 million raised in the wake of Cyclone Oswald which initially struck the state in January and resulted in widespread flooding across Queensland and mini tornadoes in areas including Bargara, Burnett Heads and Mooloolaba. Six people were killed during the disaster which resulted in six council areas being disaster declared and Natural Disaster Recovery and Relief arrangements activated in 54 local government areas. More than 4224 properties were damaged and more than 2000 families displaced. Bundaberg was one of the worst-hit areas and residents there received the biggest share of the donations raised by the fund, with about $7.95 million handed out to 4590 people with grants of $2000 per adult and $1000 per child. The North Burnett region received the next largest share with $841,000 received by 484 people. About 12 people were referred to the police after fraudulently trying to access disaster relief payments. Committee chair Terry Mackenroth said 6297 people including 1734 children shared in the fund. "From the beginning we set out to make sure those worst affected by these events were given financial assistance as quickly as possible," Mr Mackenroth said. We helped people who had been forced out of their homes as a result of flooding or as a result of high winds and their houses were made uninhabitable. The money helped them pay for the little things that they needed just to help them get going again. Mr Mackenroth said about 714 applications were deemed ineligible but every applicant had been the right to appeal if they were initially rejected. "We made the first payments within three working days of the applications being made available," he said. Every application has been dealt with. While the money raised was only enough to cover one round of emergency payments, Mr Mackenroth said he was thankful to the people who donated. A disaster-fund set up to help residents following the devastating floods in the summer of 2010 and 2011 had attracted criticism for the length of time it took to disperse the funds raised as well as the complicated process applicants needed to go through. Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said he hoped the handling of the fund would encourage more people to donate next time Queenslanders found themselves at the mercy of a natural disaster and in need of help. "This is about restoring the faith of the public in appeals," Mr Crisafulli said. We have to make sure that people, when they hand their money over to an appeal, that they know that it's going to go to what the intended purpose is.