In a rubbish start to the week, the impacts of Australia’s most recent floods have continued to be a punch to the gut. Downpours of devastating rain have hurt communities across Victoria, Tasmania, and NSW. Suffice it to say, this situation is genuinely the worst.
This has prompted the Federal Government to widen up who can apply for its Government Disaster Allowance payments.
“In Victoria, the Disaster Recovery Allowance is available in the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) that are impacted,” said Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.
“In Tasmania, 17 Local Government Areas are impacted and eligible for the disaster recovery allowance, and in New South Wales, an additional four LGAs have been added.”
People in these LGAs can get financial support for up to 13 weeks if they can demonstrate that their income has been reduced by these current floods. This money is intended for employees, sole traders, and primary producers, such as farmers.
The Federal Government is also offering a small number of LGAs some one-off cash payments.
“A one-off non-means-tested Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child is available to people in the Victorian LGAs of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Maribyrnong, Mitchell and Strathbogie, and in the Tasmanian LGAs of Central Coast, Kentish, and Meander Valley,” said Albanese.
“This support is small compensation, but it does mean support will be on the ground, and we will make that available immediately.”
If you want to check your eligibility in regards to receiving a Disaster Recovery Allowance and a Disaster Recovery Payment, you can head to the website here.
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What Else Is Being Done About These Floods?
The Premier of Tasmania, Jeremy Rockliff, has been focused on getting his state’s workers in contact with the right support.
In a joint statement, he encouraged:
- Farmers in strife to contact the FarmPoint hotline on 1300 292 292.
- All producers suffering from immediate financial hardship to contact Rural Business Tasmania on 1300 883 276.
- Any and all businesses impacted by the weather to contact Business Tasmania on 1800 440 026.
Meanwhile, in Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews is also working through this difficult situation. As of October 17, he’s pledged that his government will spend over $300 million fixing roads and cleaning up debris.
“I can announce today that $165 million in emergency road funding has been provided. That will help us to find and fix those potholes, ash melting, and repair road surfaces that have been damaged by this flood event and to make those hardest-hit roads safer again,” said Andrews.
“I am also pleased to be able to announce $150 million in additional funding for a coordinated cleaning effort in those areas hardest hit and particularly where waters are falling.”
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