Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan visited emergency services on the ground in central Victoria on Sunday, January 11, to announce an initial $19.5 million support package for bushfire affected Victorians – jointly funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Prime Minister Albanese said there’d been huge losses of livestock, crops and other agricultural businesses across Victoria.
“The Federal Government is working hand in hand with the Victorian Government to provide immediate support for communities impacted by the devastating bushfires,” he said.
The Australian and Victorian governments will establish a $10 million emergency support program to help distribute fodder to those farmers who need it.
When disaster hits, one of the most important things people need is a roof over their head.
The governments will provide $1.5 million to co-ordinate emergency accommodation options for people who have nowhere else to go and have had to seek shelter in hotels, serviced apartments and other temporary places.
To address and reduce the trauma that so many have been through with these fires, $1 million will fund experts in disaster recovery mental health support to provide group counselling sessions, so communities can better support one another and navigate their recovery together.
Ms Allan said a Recovery Support Program would be set up – one single point of help so people who’ve lost so much don’t have to deal with government red tape.
“People heeded the warnings and acted to protect themselves and their loved ones – at great cost. We’re standing with them on what will be a long path of recovery,” she said.
“From emergency accommodation to mental health help or fodder for livestock – we're ensuring no-one is left behind in this recovery effort.”
Funding of $5 million will ensure case support workers will be available for affected Victorians to help them navigate matters like housing, legal and financial support and practical help like accessing payments and grants.
A further $2 million will establish a recovery hotline, providing access to general information and help to navigate recovery services like the emergency accommodation.
The package builds on the Personal Hardship Assistance Program payments, which have been activated for those who’ve had to evacuate their homes and need immediate things like food and medicine.
Assistance under the program includes a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family.
In addition to those, the Victorian and Federal governments are now offering assistance payments of up to $52,250 for eligible uninsured households so they can reestablish their principal place of residence
For farmers facing uncertainty following the loss of crops and livestock, the Victorian Government is also making sure they have the vital mental health and wellbeing support they need to reduce trauma and help them get back on their feet, expanding existing programs in place for primary producers and farming communities.
This includes free, confidential wellbeing support alongside financial and business counselling via the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Initially appointed as part of the drought response, the wellbeing counsellors will be available to visit bushfire-affected producers and their families at their property or over the phone.
The package will also bring forward the start date of the Victorian Government's ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ program, administered by the National Centre for Farmer Health to support farming communities experiencing stress.
Now available from this Friday, January 16 to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the bushfires, it will provide grants of up to $5,000 for events and activities that support mental health and wellbeing so they can navigate their recovery as a community.
Landholders concerned about livestock welfare can now put in a request directly via Agriculture Victoria (on 1800 226 226) who will work with the Fire Incident Controller to assess the request and determine the earliest and safest way to get access.
More support will come as further impact assessments are done when it is safe to do so.
For more information on relief and recovery, visit the VicEmergency website.
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