Help available for local flood victims
Residents of Griffith, Leeton, Lockhart, Murrumbidgee, Urana, Narrandera, Wagga Wagga and Young who have been severely affected by recent flooding can now claim Commonwealth payments of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
Nationals’ Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has been vigorously petitioning Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management since the flood and hopes the payments will provide an extra level of support to those heavily impacted by the water.
“Finally there is some good news for the people most damaged by recent events,” Mr McCormack said.
“Communities throughout the Riverina have been doing it extremely tough as a result of these floods so this assistance will hopefully help them get back on their feet.”
“It has been a trying time and the people of the Riverina should be proud of the way they have managed a remarkably stressful situation.”
Under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, emergency relief assistance is available to cover a range of expenses incurred in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
For these floods the assistance includes:
· Personal hardship and distress assistance, including help with replacing essential items of furniture, personal effects and repairs to houses
· Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses and primary producerstransport freight subsidies for primary producers
· Restoration or replacement of essential public assets, and
· Loans and grants to Churches, Voluntary Non-profit Organisations and Sporting Clubs
Additional assistance will also be made for flood-affected farms and business.
“Under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, flood affected small businesses and primary producers in Griffith, Leeton, Lockhart, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Urana, Wagga Wagga and Young can access up to $15,000,” Mr McCormack said.
“Communities in the Riverina have been waiting patiently for these grants to be accessible.
“Hopefully now this assistance will help people get back on their feet and begin clean-ups and replacement of damaged equipment as soon as possible.”
Information on the range of assistance which is available under the NDRRA can be found on the Disaster Assist website at http://www.disasterassist.gov.au/ or call 180 2266.