People and businesses impacted by the most recent floods in Gippsland are eligible to consider a number of grants and low interest business recovery loans activated by the Victorian Coalition Government.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan said families, households and businesses had been hit hard by the deluge, which came on top of severe flooding in the region earlier this year.

“A range of support mechanisms are in place and rapid impact assessment teams are continuing to gather information on damage caused in the region,” Mr Ryan said.

“Assistance measures available include emergency flood assistance grants and low interest loans under the joint State-Commonwealth Natural Disaster Relief Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

“The Coalition Government has also extended coverage under the $10 million Victorian Business Flood Recovery Fund for eligible businesses impacted by the recent Gippsland floods.”

Details of each category of assistance is available below:

Category A

Category A assistance under NDRRA provides for emergency re-establishment payments to help those impacted by flood waters.

This form of assistance was activated on June 5 by the Victorian Coalition Government.

A total of 129 payments have been made under the Victorian Coalition Government’s Personal Hardship Assistance Program, which provides relief assistance of up to $480 per adult and $240 per child up to a maximum of $1,200 per household to cover emergency shelter, food, clothing, or personal items.

In addition, emergency re-establishment assistance payments are available which provide up to $30,000 to eligible Victorians in extreme hardship, and who meet eligibility criteria.

Category B

Under Category B NDRRA assistance, low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available for primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations affected by the Gippsland floods.

The loans are administered by the Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria and can assist farmers and businesses by helping them to meet recovery costs.

Significant assistance is also available to meet the majority of councils’ costs of repairing roads, bridges and other essential public infrastructure.

$10 million Victorian Business Flood Recovery Fund

The Victorian Business Flood Recovery Fund is available to eligible businesses in the Gippsland region impacted by the most recent flood event.  This fund is designed to provide funding for larger businesses (20 employees or more) that are seeking to expand their existing regional operations or establish a new presence to create new jobs and investment in affected areas.

Mr Ryan said the Victorian Coalition Government would continue to collect information on flood damage in the region to support an application for further assistance under NDRRA.

“In addition to the measures outlined above, the Coalition Government is currently performing Rapid Impact Assessments which pulls together key information about the flooding event and its impact,” Mr Ryan said.

“When complete, this information will be provided to the Commonwealth in support of access to NDRRA Category C clean-up and recovery grants for the Gippsland Flood event.”

Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said despite the widespread damage caused by the latest flood event, communities had rallied together to begin the clean-up and recovery process.

“This has been a very trying time for many people in the Gippsland region, but as always, people have shown great resilience and willingness to offer support,” Mr Bull said.

“I remain hopeful that once all the impact information is made available, the Commonwealth will support an application for Category C assistance to provide further support as the region recovers.”

Information about the Victorian Coalition Government’s emergency flood assistance grants is available www.floodrecovery.vic.gov.au

Information about the Victorian Business Flood Recovery Fund is available at http://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/.

Media contact: Sonia Heath 0413 485 526 Read More

Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available for primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations affected by the Gippsland floods, Premier Ted Baillieu announced today.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan joined Mr Baillieu at Bulmers Farm at Lindenow near Bairnsdale to announce that the Victorian Government had activated the loans.

“Parts of Gippsland experienced record rainfall earlier this week and Gippsland Lakes communities still face a major flood threat,” Mr Baillieu said.

“While a full impact assessment will take some time, it is clear that a number of farms have been inundated and businesses have been damaged, which is why we are activating the loans now.”

Mr Ryan said the loans would provide a boost to farmers and businesses by helping them to meet recovery costs.

“The Gippsland region depends on dairy farms, tourism and other businesses, so it is critical that we help these businesses get back on their feet and support Gippsland’s economic recovery,” Mr Ryan said.

The Rural Finance Corporation of Victoria administers the loans, which are available to farmers and businesses directly affected by the floods.

This assistance for farmers and businesses is in addition to the Personal Hardship Assistance for households which Mr Ryan announced on Tuesday 5 June.

The loans are provided in partnership with the Commonwealth Government under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

State Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said he was pleased that the Premier and Deputy Premier had come to visit the region and see the situation first hand.

“Floods are no stranger to the communities in East Gippsland and we have a resilient population that pitches in and works hard together when needed and this event is no exception,” Mr Bull said.

Victoria has begun the Rapid Impact Assessment process which will provide estimates of the type and value of the damage from these floods.

Clean up and recovery grants under the NDRRA require the approval of the Commonwealth and that approval is based on these assessments.

The Premier also urged families to continue making their travel plans this Queen’s Birthday long weekend, but to plan ahead.

“Victoria has some wonderful places to visit and I encourage people to make the most of this long weekend,” Mr Baillieu said.

“But before you travel, especially if that travel includes flood-affected areas, I encourage you to check relevant websites so you and your family can have a safe journey,” Mr Baillieu said.

Travel information is available at: http://alerts.vicroads.vic.gov.au/, www.ses.vic.gov.au/, http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/park-management/fire,-flood-and-other-closures.

For information regarding flood assistance please call 1300 366 356 or visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency.  

Information and application forms for the low-interest loans are available at: www.ruralfinance.com.au. Read More

Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan said emergency service agencies were working around the clock to protect Gippsland from rising flood waters, after the region was inundated by rainfall.

“The Australian Defence Force has joined local efforts to protect Lakes Entrance which will remain on flood watch for the next 48 hours,” Mr Ryan said.

“Overnight sandbagging of critical infrastructure saved properties from the combined flood waters and high tide this morning but the worst is yet to come.

“Emergency Services are predicting tonight’s 10.30pm flood peak to be as much as 40 centimetres higher, which has the potential to inundate a large number of properties based on 2007 flood data.”

Mr Ryan said floodwaters had caused havoc across much of Gippsland, closing roads and highways, schools and causing power outages.

“Since 7am Sunday VICSES has recorded 1,300 requests for assistance as our emergency service personnel work tirelessly helping those in need,” Mr Ryan said.

Mr Ryan said the Victorian Coalition Government yesterday activated emergency re-establishment payments to help those impacted by flood waters.

"There have so far been 22 payments under the government’s Personal Hardship Assistance Program, which provides relief assistance of up to $480 per adult and $240 per child up to a maximum of $1,200 per household to cover emergency shelter, food, clothing, or personal items,” Mr Ryan said.

“One emergency re-establishment assistance payment has also been made, which provides up to $30,000 to eligible Victorians in extreme hardship, and who meet an income test.

“There is no doubt further help will be needed for those families and households which have been impacted and the Coalition Government stands ready to provide additional hardship grants as and where appropriate.

“In addition, the process for clean-up and recovery assistance will be triggered once the floodwaters begin to recede,” Mr Ryan said.

Current Emergency Information is available by phoning SES on 1300 842 737. For the latest list of road closures visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au or call 13 11 70.

Information about the Victorian Coalition Government’s emergency assistance grants is available at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency.

For information of flood recovery visit: www.floodrecovery.vic.gov.au.

Media contact: Sonia Heath 0413 485 526 Read More