Every Local Government Area within the Federal Electorate of Bendigo qualifies for this support. The assistance is available for communities and councils within the registered Local Government Areas of: Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges Shire, Mitchell Shire and Mount Alexander Shire.
The funding will allow eligible community members whose homes have been impacted by the Victorian Floods and Storms to access emergency relief assistance through the Personal Hardship Assistance Program (PHAP) led through the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
You are eligible for a relief payment if you have unmet immediate relief needs and:
- Your principal place of residence is, or was, in an evacuation warning area, and the floods or storms have damaged your home; or
- Your home has flooded above the floor.
Assistance under the PHAP includes a one-off payment of $640 per adult and $320 per child up to a maximum of $2,240 per eligible family to help cover the costs of essentials like food, clothing, medication and accommodation. Payments are a fixed amount for each member of a household and are not calculated based on how much money you earn.
Support from the Albanese and Allan Governments will also provide funding for Council’s counter disaster operations, including making residential properties safe and habitable, and emergency works for urgent transport, infrastructure and public assets restoration.
Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) is working with local councils to understand the assistance required to support communities following the floods and storms. Councils can notify ERV of impacts via the Claims Management System or email [email protected].
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and the VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MURRAY WATT:
“This type of support is designed to help people meet immediate needs like food and clothing, and we’ll continue to work with the Victorian Government to make sure assistance gets to where it’s needed.
“I want to assure those affected that we are working as quickly as possible to make assistance available and I want to thank emergency services personnel and volunteers for their efforts.
“Although the majority of the floodwaters have peaked and the forecast is for conditions to ease over the coming days, the impact on communities will be long-lasting and we will continue to work closely to support recovery efforts.”
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP:
“We’re proud to be working hand-in-hand with the Allan Government to make this funding available, for community members and councils who need support during this incredibly difficult time.”
"On Monday afternoon, the Premier and I attended briefing by local authorities on the local situation as it was unfolding. Today, we are announcing support that will help so many of our constituents.
“By making emergency relief assistance available, we’re supporting people in Heathcote, Huntly, Goornong, Redesdale and Central Victorians who have been impacting by these severe weather events and need access to financial support.”
