Disaster recovery fund expanded

Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements has been expanded to cover Brimbank, allowing council to claim expenses for a range of disaster assistance funding.

Brimbank council is eligible to receive monetary support for early relief and recovery activities, such as the establishment and operation of relief centres, the removal of debris from residential properties and emergency works to urgently restore essential public assets.

Brimbank is one of 46 local government areas to be announced in the expansion, which also includes Wyndham, Geelong, Hume, Whittlesea and Moorabool councils.

Grants are also available for residents whose homes are uninhabitable for more than a week, after the state and federal government announced Victorians whose properties were destroyed or damaged in the floods can have their homes cleared of hazards for free.

Registrations have opened for the first phase of the jointly funded clean-up program, coordinated by Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV), who will work with local contractors to demolish, remove and dispose of structures that were damaged by the floods.

“We’re ensuring Victorians can begin what will be a long road ahead with our full support – but without the expense and stress of having to navigate that initial clean-up on their own,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.

Clean-up assistance will be provided through the state and federal government’s jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, with an initial investment of $150 million to prioritise hazard assessments and clean-up.

Activation across additional councils will occur as impacts of the floods are understood.

For support with payments, clean-up or any other flood issues, Victorians can contact the Flood Recovery Hotline.

Details: 1800 560 760