- Published:
- Sunday 16 October 2016
Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Victorian Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino today announced the activation of additional disaster assistance for Victorians affected by storms in the Yarra Ranges Council area.
Minister Keenan said assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
“There are a number of storm affected properties within the local council, and community members in some sections of the Yarra Ranges are still without power,” Mr Keenan said.
“This activation of additional assistance demonstrates the dedication of the Australian and Victorian Governments in working together to ensure disaster affected communities are supported.”
Mr Merlino said that Emergency Re-establishment Grants are now being made available to eligible households in the Yarra Valley area, in addition to the Emergency Relief Assistance Payments which are available to all storm affected communities.
“These grants provide assistance to people whose homes have been damaged so that they can clean-up their properties and replace damaged contents,” Mr Merlino said.
Individuals in the local government area of Yarra Ranges Council can now access the following emergency grants to relieve personal hardship and distress:
- Emergency Relief Assistance Payments, which provide payments of up to $520 per adult and $260 per child (up to a maximum of $1,300 per household) are available to help meet immediate needs, including emergency food, shelter, clothing, and personal items.
- Emergency Re-establishment Grants, which provide up to $32,500 per eligible household experiencing financial hardship who have been flood affected at their primary place of residence. The grants are available for clean-up, emergency accommodation, repairs, rebuilding (a principal place of residence), and replacing some damaged contents.
Re-establishment Grants of up to $32,500 per household are also available to eligible individuals in the flood affected Southern Grampians and Buloke Shire areas. Disaster assistance has also been activated for 39 councils across Victoria that have been impacted by the floods and storms.
Anyone who has been affected by storms and is suffering personal hardship and distress should call the Victorian Emergency Recovery Information Line on 1300 799 232.
Information about the assistance can also be found on the Vic Emergency website at www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief, or on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.
Media contacts:
Emily Broadbent 0400 390 008 (Minister Keenan) | emily.broadbent@ag.gov.au
Jacqueline Byrde 0418 228 407 (Minister Keenan) | jacqueline.byrde@ag.gov.au
Kara Douglas 0417 655 803 (Minister Merlino) | kara.douglas@minstaff.vic.gov.au