Disaster Assistance For Storm Affected Mildura

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Victorian Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino today announced disaster assistance for Victorians affected by storms in the Mildura Rural City Council area.

Minister Keenan said assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

“This activation of assistance demonstrates the commitment of the Australian and Victorian governments to support disaster affected communities,” Mr Keenan said.

“Both Governments recognise the need for quick action to help affected communities recover from the impacts of this severe storm.”

Mr Merlino said Emergency Re-establishment Grants are now being made available to eligible households. These Grants are in addition to the Emergency Relief Assistance Payments which are available to all storm affected communities.

“Today I visited Mildura and Merbein, and saw first-hand just how destructive this storm was,” Mr Merlino said.

“These grants provide assistance to people whose homes have been damaged so that they can clean-up their properties and replace damaged contents.”

Individuals in the local government area of Mildura Rural City Council can now access the following emergency assistance to relieve personal hardship and distress:

• Emergency Relief Assistance Payments, which provides payments of up to $520 per adult and $260 per child (up to a maximum of $1,300 per household) is available to help meet immediate needs, including emergency food, shelter, clothing, and personal items.

• Emergency Re-establishment Grants 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.

Anyone who has been affected by the storms and needs immediate help should call VICSES on 132 500.

Community members are being urged to visit the Relief Centre at Alfred Deakin Centre, 180-190 Deakin Ave Mildura, between 9:00am till 4:00pm to access support services.

Anyone suffering personal hardship and distress should call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

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.