Joint media release with the Hon Michael Ferguson MP
Jointly funded disaster assistance is now available to 17 local government areas (LGAs) following severe flooding across Tasmania.
The LGAs are: Break O'Day, Burnie, Central Coast, Central Highlands, Circular Head, Devonport, Dorset, Flinders, George Town, Kentish, Latrobe, Launceston, Meander Valley, Northern Midlands, Waratah-Wynyard, West Coast and West Tamar.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the Australian and Tasmanian Governments are working together to support communities even as the flood crisis continues to evolve.
"This is a serious situation for many residents, and we are closely monitoring the current weather system as flood levels continue to rise and new areas come under threat," Minister Watt said.
"Tasmanians going through this terrible situation can be assured that all levels of government will act swiftly to deliver support where and when it's needed over the time it takes to recover.
"The assistance will help residents to get back into their homes as quickly as possible and to Councils to assist with the costs of cleaning up and restoring essential public assets."
Tasmanian Acting Premier Michael Ferguson said the assistance announced today will ensure that communities in regional Tasmania can access recovery support immediately.
"We are continuing to assess the impacts of this event to ensure that appropriate support is available," Acting Premier Ferguson said.
"We know that with these types of floods it can take some time to understand and calculate the impacts of an event like this, particularly when some LGAs still have flooding throughout their regions due to river system flooding.
"I would also like to recognise the work of our emergency services and local governments, who do an outstanding job responding to hundreds of requests for assistance, under very difficult circumstances."
Assistance currently available under the DRFA includes:
- Emergency Assistance Grants of up to $1,000 ($250 per adult, $125 per dependent child);
- Emergency Accommodation Assistance;
Assistance is available to individuals or family who have been;
- directed or advised by a relevant authority to evacuate from their residence;
- displaced from their residence due to flooding
Applications for both Emergency Assistance Grants and/or Temporary Emergency Accommodation can be made online: https://communitiestas.smartygrants.com.au/EmergencyGrants
For assistance in applying, contact Tasmanian Emergency Information Service on 03 6145 5303.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au
