In the wake of the recent widespread flooding across south eastern Australia, the Federal Government and Victorian State Government have announced financial relief is available for flood-affected communities.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese explained residents in numerous Victorian, Tasmanian and NSW local government areas would be eligible for emergency payments, while 100 Australian Defence Force personnel were also on the ground in Victoria to provide support with sandbagging and evacuations.
Mr Albanese said in Victoria, a Disaster Recovery Allowance would be available to 23 impacted local government areas. In Tasmania, 17 local government areas are eligible, and in NSW there are an additional four.
“In recognition of the number of homeowners affected in particular LGAs, a one-off, non-means-tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is available to people in the Victorian LGAs of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Maribyrnong, Mitchell and Strathbogie, and in the Tasmanian LGAs of Central Coast, Kentish, and Meander Valley,” Mr Albanese told the ABC.
In the meantime, the Victorian State Government has established the Council Flood Support Fund as an initial measure to provide immediate payments of $500,000 to the 24 local government areas that have experienced the most profound flood damage.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said local councils were on the frontline of recovery efforts.
“We’re giving them extra support so they can help their communities when they need it most,” he stated.
“We’re at our best when we work together, every level of government is ready to stand with local communities as we repair the damage that’s been done.”
This support is in addition to existing Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – delivering the extra support communities need for grassroots recovery efforts.
Clean-up activities supported through the fund include the collection and removal of debris deposited on council parks, reserves and community assets, transportation costs, staffing and restoration of community services.
The local government areas eligible for this initial payment are:
- Alpine Shire Council
- Benalla Rural City Council
- Buloke Shire Council
- Campaspe Shire Council
- Central Goldfields Shire Council
- Corangamite Shire Council
- Gannawarra Shire Council
- Greater Bendigo City Council
- Greater Shepparton City Council
- Hepburn Shire Council
- Horsham Rural City Council
- Loddon Shire Council
- Macedon Ranges Shire Council
- Mansfield Shire Council
- Maribyrnong City Council
- Mitchell Shire Council
- Moira Shire Council
- Moonee Valley City Council
- Mount Alexander Shire Council
- Murrindindi Shire Council
- Northern Grampians Shire Council
- Pyrenees Shire Council
- Strathbogie Shire Council
- Wangaratta Rural City Council
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments have also come together to prepare the Centre for National Resilience at Mickleham to provide crisis accommodation for Victorians affected by widespread flooding.
From Tuesday, 250 beds at the Mickleham facility will open to help people whose homes have been inundated. As well as accommodation, residents will be provided with food and support services both on-site and remotely.
Mr Albanese said the move was designed to ensure Victorians can have a safe roof over their heads immediately following a major flood event.
“We have not hesitated to make the Centre for National Resilience available in this time of crisis,” he said.
“We will be on hand to help in any way we can during this crisis and in its aftermath.”
Mr Andrews thanked the Commonwealth Government for working with Victoria to ensure flood affected Victorians could quickly access crisis accommodation and financial support to help them through this challenging time.
“Whether it’s crisis accommodation or financial support for families doing it tough, we’ll do everything we can to support Victorians while the waters are still rising, and long after they’ve receded,” he said.
Further flood resources for the real estate industry are available here.
