Minister for Emergency Management, Robert McClelland MP, Federal member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou MP, and State Member for Keilor, Natalie Hutchins, have reminded local residents that financial assistance is available to households affected by the hail and flash flooding that hit Melbourne on Christmas Day, 2011.
Mr McClelland said assistance is being provided through the joint Commonwealth and state funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to the worst hit areas of western and northern suburbs of Melbourne.“NDRRA assistance for has been made available for the Brimbank, Banyule, Darebin, Hume, Melton, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Nillumbik, Yarra, Yarra Ranges and Whittlesea Local Government Areas,” Mr McClelland said. Joint Commonwealth/State assistance made available under NDRRA includes:
• Personal Hardship and Distress grants for individuals and families, including Emergency Relief Assistance and Emergency Re-establishment Assistance,
• restoration of essential public assets (roads and schools), and
• certain counter disaster operations.
“These storms caused extensive damage to personal property. They could not have come at a worse time, striking just when many households were looking forward to relaxing on Christmas Day with family and friends,” Ms Vamvakinou said. “The Commonwealth is committed to assisting individuals and families affected by the Christmas Day hail and flooding.” Under the NDRRA, the following personal hardship and distress assistance is available:
Emergency Relief Assistance of up to $1,200 to cover emergency shelter, food, clothing, personal items or specific transport needs, and
Emergency Re-establishment Assistance of up to $30,000 to help eligible households with tasks such as clean-up, emergency accommodation, repairs, rebuilding and replacing some damaged contents.People who have suffered personal hardship and distress should contact their local Victorian
Department of Human Services branch or visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au for further information about assistance.“I invited the Federal Minister down to Melbourne to inspect the damage here in Melbourne’s West following this event on Christmas Day.“I would also like to commend our dedicated Victorian Emergency Services staff, volunteers and the affected Local Councils for their response to the storms and sudden floods,” Ms Hutchins said.
