Community Flood Recovery

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Loddon Shire Council has two dedicated staff based in the Wedderburn office to guide the community recovery after the October 2022 flood.

If you need help navigating your recovery please contact

Mal Brown, Manager Community Recovery on 0499 978 145 or

Josie McKinnon, Community Recovery Officer on 0474 911 783      

Flood Recovery Hotline

The Flood Recovery Hotline is a single state-wide number that Victorians impacted by the October 2022 floods can call for assistance.  approved

Call the Flood recovery Hotline 1800 560 760 or visit https://www.vic.gov.au/2022-flood-recovery

Financial Support Available

Victorian Government Personal Hardship Assistance Program

https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/personal-hardship-assistance-program

The Personal Hardship Assistance Program provides assistance to people experiencing financial hardship in meeting their relief needs because of a single house fire or a natural disaster related emergency such as bushfire, flood, severe storm or earthquake. 

If you have any queries regarding relief and personal hardship assistance program, please contact

E-mail: loddon.eoc@dffh.vic.gov.au

Phone Vic Emergency: 1800 226 226 


Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a lump sum payment for people in eligible local government areas (LGAs), to help with major damage to properties and assets or who have been seriously injured due to the Victorian Floods in October 2022.

If you’re eligible you’ll get:

$1000 per adult

$400 for each child younger than 16.

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/victorian-floods-october-2022-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment

Apply here

Closes 16 June 2023 


Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/victorian-floods-october-2022-disaster-recovery-allowance

Income support payments to employees, primary producers and sole traders who can demonstrate they have experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the floods in Victoria in October 2022.

Eligibility

  • were 16 or older at the time of the floods.
  • are an Australian resident or hold an eligible visa
  • work or live in an affected Local Government Area (LGA)
  • lost income as a direct result of the floods.

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/who-can-get-victorian-floods-october-2022-disaster-recovery-allowance?context=63450

Closes 28 May 2023


Recovery Following natural disasters (checklist for personal and business)
https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Support-in-difficult-times/Natural-disaster-support/Recovery-following-natural-disasters/


Primary Producer Flood Relief Program
The following support packages are available for flood affected farmers:

  • Primary Producer Recovery Grants: Up to $75,000 grants to cover the cost of recovery and get businesses up and running again. Note: This replaces the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean-Up, Relief Grants announced on 19 October. Producers that have received a Primary Producer Recovery Clean-Up Relief Grant of $10,000 can now apply for up to a further $65,000 under the Primary Producer Recovery Grant, bringing the total to $75,000.
  • Rural Landholder Grants: Up to $25,000 grants to cover the costs of disaster impacts for small-scale producers.
  • Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover the short-term business expenses.
  • Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.

For more information or to apply: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/floods

Closes 4pm Sunday 30 April 2023 


Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants

Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants support businesses, not-for-profit and community sport and active recreation organisations directly affected by the Victorian floods that commenced in October 2022. Applicants can apply for up to $50,000. Funds can be used to cover expenses resulting from significant direct damage to an applicant’s property, assets, stock or equipment. Full details and eligibility criteria will be included in the grant application guidelines when the program opens.

https://sport.vic.gov.au/news/articles/flood-recovery-grants-for-community-sport-and-active-recreation-organisations

Victorian Government Business Relief Service

As part of the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program, one-on-one support is available from a local business relief adviser to guide business owners through the available Commonwealth, state and local supports. They can also help you manage insurance and landlord issues, assess impacts and form strategies for recovery. Business relief advisers will be available via telephone and on the ground.

To access the Business Relief Service, register online https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/business-relief-service or call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15 and they will connect you with dedicated relief advice and support.

Looking after your mental health

For more information on looking after your mental health during this time you may like to check out the following information:

Mental Health Helplines

If you are in an emergency, in danger or you or someone close to you has seriously harmed themselves, call triple zero (000) for emergency services.

If you are not in an emergency situation, but you need immediate help, call one of the following helplines that offer crisis support and counselling over the phone:

  • Lifeline – call 13 11 14 for this free, 24-hour Australia-wide crisis support and suicide prevention service.

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

  • Suicide Call Back Service – call 1300 659 467 for this free service for people having suicidal thoughts, family or friends affected by suicide and healthcare professionals treating suicidal people.

https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

  • Suicide Line – call 1300 651 251 for free and anonymous support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week across Victoria. 

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/suicideline-service

Other helplines that you might find useful include:

  • Head to Health - call 1800 595 212 8.30am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday (except public holidays). A trained professional will take your call, give you advice, and if you need it connect you to the best support or service for you.

 https://headtohealthvic.org.au/

  • Yarning Safe'n'Strong - call 1800 959 563, available anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Yarning Safe'n'Strong is a free and confidential counselling service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

https://www.vahs.org.au/yarning-safe-n-strong-media/

  • Rainbow Door - free support for LGBTIQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Gender Diverse, Intersex, Queer, Asexual, BrotherBoys, SisterGirls) people and their family and friends. Contact them 10am – 6pm, 7 days a week by calling 1800 729 367, texting 0480 017 246, or emailing support@rainbowdoor.org.au
  • SANE Australia Helpline - call 1800 187 263 for information about mental illness, treatments and support for you and your carer.

https://www.sane.org/get-support

  • Mensline Australia - call 1300 789 978 for telephone support, information and referrals for men dealing with relationship issues. 
  • Beyond Blue - call 1300 224 636 for telephone support, information and resources for people dealing with depression or anxiety.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

  • Emerging Minds (Infant and Child mental health) - Emerging Minds Families provides a range of resources for parents, carers and families looking for information and support about infant and child mental health. 

https://emergingminds.com.au/

     You may be worried about the potential mental impact on your child or children following the recent flood event.          Emerging Minds shares information on how to support yourself and your family during this time.

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/in-focus-supporting-your-child-after-a-flood/

  • Red Cross – Coping after a crisis

      A flood event can create stress that lasts for a long time. Red Cross shares some information on the things you            can do to look after yourself and others.

https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/coping-after-a-crisis/maintaining-wellbeing-in-the-face-of-long-term-stress/

  • Rural Financial Counselling Service

     Free financial counselling to farmers and small businesses who are in or at risk of financial hardship.                            https://wswrcs.com.au/

Changes to Council services

Roads

  •  Council's Road management plan has been suspended due to the exceptional circumstances as a result of the natural disaster caused by the flooding. This means that Council's road network is not able to be maintained to its usual standard.
  • Road users must:
    • take reasonable care to avoid any conduct that may endanger the safety or welfare of other road users
    • take reasonable care to avoid any conduct that may damage road infrastructure and non-road infrastructure on the road reserve
    • take reasonable care to avoid conduct that may harm the environment of the road reserve.