Additional Disaster Assistance For Storms In Victoria

Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Victorian Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino today announced the activation of disaster assistance for Victorians affected by storms in the Cardinia Shire area.

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

“This will extend the availability of Emergency Re-establishment grants, which were announced for the Yarra Ranges Shire last Sunday, to those impacted by the recent storms in the neighbouring Cardinia Shire,” Mr Keenan said.

“This demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Australian and Victorian governments to ensure that we effectively support all disaster affected communities.”

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

“The 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.

Eligible individuals in the local government area of Cardinia 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 recent 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.