Following the support measures recently unveiled by the Victorian Government, Victorians who have been affected by the recent floods can finally receive the assistance they so urgently require.
The $351 million package announced by the Andrews Labor Government will give regional Victorian communities the immediate support they need, including a $165 million road repair blitz to reunite communities and help people relocate quickly across the state.
The Andrews Government has also included $15 million in support for those most impacted by the floods, which will deliver support with housing, health and wellbeing, financial and legal counselling, as well as assistance with accessing grants and completing paperwork, and advice for business owners.
The Commonwealth and Victorian governments have also come together to prepare crisis accommodation through the Centre for National Resilience at Mickleham.
The Mickleham facility will provide accommodation, with 250 beds at the site, as well as food and support services both on-site and remotely.
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Each resident will be provided with toiletries and other necessities, three meals each day, and assistance with items like clothing from various charities.
Centrelink and case management services, and medical care will also be available on site.
While this is a great step in assisting those who have been tragically impacted by the floods, Victorians can still provide assistance to those in need.
The natural disaster recovery charity, Blazeaid, is looking for volunteers and donations to assist with clearing and re-fencing an 80km radius around Bridgewater, after being destroyed by waters from Loddon River last week.
Chief Executive Officer Melissa Jones said: "There is a role for everybody…You can volunteer in the kitchen, or out in the field. You don’t need to have any prior experience.”
But there are other organisations and ways through which people can give their much-needed assistance.
To find out more about what items are needed and how to donate, visit www.givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding.
And for those affected by the floods, the Flood Recovery Hotline is available to call for help or assistance with finding available support, clean up, temporary accommodation, and mental health and wellbeing support.
The hotline can be reached at 1800 560 760, and is open from 7.30am-7.30pm everyday.
‘Register, Find, Reunite’ is another service for those in need which aims to find and reunite loved ones after an emergency.
To register for this service, please go to www.register.redcross.org.au.
Agriculture Victoria also has recovery teams in place to work with producers and industry following the recent storms and floods across Victoria.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said they will be doing everything they can to help.
"There is a significant job ahead of us but we’re equal to it – I know that all levels of government will keep working together to get this job done," he said.
Topics: Australia
Emma Xerri