Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Robert McClelland MP and the Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan today announced that financial assistance will be made available to communities affected by the heavy rain and flash flooding across Victoria on 18 and 19 December 2011.
Mr McClelland said assistance would be provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), jointly funded by the Commonwealth and States, to the six local government areas of: Northern Grampians, Horsham, Mildura, Macedon Ranges, Bendigo and Hume.
Mr McClelland said: “These storms impacted a widespread area across the state and have caused damage to property, businesses and community infrastructure.
“Both the Commonwealth and Victorian governments are committed to assisting individuals, families and communities affected by disaster events.”
Mr Ryan said detailed assessments were continuing in affected areas to establish the full extent of the damage.
“The assessments are currently focused on the six local government areas hit by the December storm events and should it be identified that other areas have suffered damage from this event, assistance may be extended to cover those areas as well,” Mr Ryan said.
Under the NDRRA, Emergency Relief Assistance is available to cover a range of expenses incurred in the immediate aftermath of an emergency, such as food, clothing, medications, accommodation, and one-off transport costs.
Joint NDRRA funding will also be available to assist Local Councils with the cost of disaster operations and clean-up activities and to restore damaged community infrastructure.
Mr Ryan said the Victorian Department of Human Services would administer emergency grants and help alleviate personal hardship experienced as a result of the severe storms and floods.
“People who have suffered personal hardship and distress should contact their local Department of Human Services branch or visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au for further information about assistance for immediate essential needs for health, safety and wellbeing.”
Mr Ryan said that the clean-up and restoration process was well underway.
“The Victorian SES responded to over 300 calls from affected households as a result of these severe storm events and has carried out widespread clean-up activities after the flooding,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Ryan said it was unfortunate that some of the communities hit by these storms are still recovering from the devastating floods at the beginning of 2011.
“While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, it is likely that public infrastructure damaged by the floods earlier this year will again have been damaged by this event,” Mr Ryan said.
The Commonwealth Government, through Emergency Management Australia, will continue to work closely with the Victorian Government to support families and communities through the recovery process.
Media Contact:
(Mr McClelland’s Office) Simon Ferguson 0427 934 112
(Mr Ryan’s Office) Sonia Heath 0413 485 526
