Responding to bushfires in the south west

THE recent devastating fires have caused substantial losses of stock and farming assets in the region, with Agriculture Victoria setting up field response teams at Warrnambool and Hamilton to assist landholders affected by the fires, with initial focus on animal welfare and assisting farmers with their immediate needs.

Animal Health staff from the department have been inspecting the area since the fires were contained with 11 field teams visiting properties to assess losses and provide information and assistance to farmers.

Practical information to aid with recovery can also be found at agriculture.vic.gov.au, including: assessing livestock, disposing of carcasses, stock containment areas, agistment, water, pasture, weeds and building a sediment fence.

The Victorian Farmers Federation are coordinating fodder collection and distribution with the Camperdown Showgrounds being used to receive fodder donations, for more information please call 1300 882 883.

Bushfire disaster assistance: Disaster assistance has been extended to communities affected by the recent bushfires with assistance for the local government areas of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians is being provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to help people who have been directly affected by the fires.

Victorian Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino said that Emergency Re-establishment Assistance is now being made available in addition to the Personal Hardship Assistance Payments.

“This assistance will help affected communities with any immediate needs and also help re-establish homes destroyed by the bushfires,” he said.

“As the impact of the fire becomes clearer, additional assistance will be made available as required.”

Individuals in the local government areas of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians can now access the following emergency assistance to relieve personal hardship and distress:

• Personal Hardship Assistance Payments, which provide payments of up to $540 per adult and $270 per child (up to a maximum of $1,890 per household) are available to help meet immediate needs, including emergency food, shelter, clothing, and personal items.
• Emergency Re-establishment Assistance provides up to $40,700 per eligible household that has been affected by fire at their primary place of residence.

The grants are available for eligible clean-up, emergency accommodation, repairs, rebuilding (a principal place of residence), and replacing some damaged contents.

Anyone who has been affected by the bushfires and suffering personal hardship and distress should call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 to find out about the assistance available.

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au and the VicEmergency website at emergency.vic.gov.au/relief.

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