Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews today announced disaster assistance for Victorians affected by flooding in the Buloke Shire 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.
"Our Governments are working together to ensure that disaster-affected communities receive the necessary support to help them recover as soon as possible.”
Mr Andrews and Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, James Merlino, today visited Charlton to meet residents impacted by the floods and thank emergency services staff and volunteers for their work.
Mr Andrews said that Emergency Re-establishment grants are now being made available in addition to the Emergency Relief Assistance grants which are available to all flood affected communities.
“These grants provide assistance to people whose homes have been flood damaged so that they can clean-up their properties and replace damaged contents,” Mr Andrews said.
Individuals in the local government area of Buloke can now access the following emergency grants to relieve personal hardship and distress:
- Emergency Relief Assistance, 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 Payments 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 assistance is already being provided to the flood affected Southern Grampians region, as announced on Wednesday.
Mr Andrews said that the Victorian Government is closely monitoring the flood situation and that assistance will be extended to other areas if required.
Anyone who has been affected by the flooding 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 , or on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at .
Reviewed 19 August 2020