Victoria Daly regional communities in the Northern Territory affected by severe weather and heavy rainfall brought on by ex-Tropical Cyclone Ellie have access to disaster assistance to support emergency relief and recovery efforts.
The assistance, jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), may include:
- Help for people whose homes or belongings have been damaged
- Personal hardship and distress payments
- Support for local councils and residents to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his Government would work with the Territory Government to get people the support they need now and long after the waters have receded.
"This was a one in a 50-year flood in Timber Creek, and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted," he said.
"I'd like to thank all of our hard working emergency services personnel and volunteers for their hard work and assistance during this unprecedented event."
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the severe weather and flooding had significantly impacted communities in the region.
"This was a one in 50-year flood in Timber Creek and I'd like to thank emergency services for their coordinated response that ensured residents were taken to safety as houses became flooded," Minister Watt said.
"The Federal and Northern Territory Governments have made this financial assistance available to support impacted residents with their immediate needs to help them get back on their feet and into their homes.
"This funding will also assist councils to cover the costs of clean-up, repairing flood-damaged infrastructure back to a usable condition, and undertaking counter disaster operations.
"The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring communities are better prepared and can recover quicker from natural disasters."
Acting Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, the Hon Nicole Manison MLA said the Northern Territory is continuing to monitor the situation.
"While some residents have returned home, there are a number of dwellings that need more work," Minister Manison said.
"We are working with all partners in the community to provide support where it is needed."
"We thank all the hardworking people who have helped Timber Creek deal with the flood emergency and the recovery efforts, as well as the Commonwealth for their support through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements."
Federal Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said by working together collaboratively, all levels of government have been able to provide support to some of the most isolated communities in the country.
"We have been monitoring this disaster closely since it arrived and have been in constant contact with communities to provide the assistance required as quickly as possible," Ms Scrymgour said.
"This funding will ensure that the recovery can begin as rapidly as the response."
The Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) is a jointly funded program between the Australian Government and state and territory (state) governments, through which the Australian Government provides financial assistance to support state governments with disaster recovery costs.
Eligible costs include assistance measures for individuals and families, businesses, primary producers, non-profit organisations and local and state governments.
Under these arrangements, state governments determine what assistance measures will be activated, and the areas in which they will be made available.
The Australian Government may then reimburse state governments for up to 75 per cent of these costs.
State governments are responsible for administering the DRFA assistance measures.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website, and the Northern Territory Government's emergency information and response Secure NT website.
