Wednesday, 08 April 2009

The Bushfire Appeal Fund will allocate a further $28 million to provide extra support for homeowners whose property was destroyed or damaged in this year’s devastating bushfires.

Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund chair John Landy and the Premier John Brumby, today announced two new needs-based grants as part of the second phase of the Recovery and Rebuilding package.

Mr Landy said a needs-based grant of up to $40,000 would be made available to homeowners whose principal place of residence was destroyed in the fires, with a second needs-based grant of up to $16,000 for homeowners whose principal place of residence was damaged.

“The Rebuilding and Recovery package will help those who have been affected by these fires to rebuild their lives, homes and communities,” Mr Landy said. “The two new needs-based grants will take into account requirements such as an individual’s capacity to recover, larger households, elderly people and special needs such as a disability.

“I believe the Bushfire Appeal Fund Advisory Panel has struck the right balance between ensuring generous donations to this fund are dispersed with the intent of donors and meets the needs of the individuals, families and communities affected by these horrific bushfires.”

The $28 million in funding is on top of $130 million announced last month to help people recover and rebuild after the bushfires, bringing the total Rebuilding and Recovery package to $158 million.

The $130 million first phase of the Rebuilding and Recovery package comprised universal payments of $50,000 for homeowners whose principal place of residence was destroyed, including $35,000 for building and $15,000 to replace contents. It also included $15,000 for tenants whose principal place of residence was destroyed and $15,000 for homeowners whose homes were damaged.

The Bushfire Appeal Fund has now also released details around the application process for accessing these Rebuilding and Recovery grants.

Mr Landy also announced today that the first-phase grant of up to $15,000 available for people to repair homes that were damaged by the bushfires would be expanded to cover repairs or replacement of external structures such as sheds, bungalows and water tanks and pumps.

He said eligibility for second-phase needs-based grants would be assessed on criteria including:
• the size of the household;
• special family needs that may entail additional building costs;
• limitations on a household’s capacity to pay, such as reduced earning capacity as a result of the bushfires; and
• a household’s lack of funds, including level of insurance.

Mr Brumby said the Bushfire Appeal Fund allocation would make a significant difference to people devastated by the bushfires, supporting them to recover and move forward.

“Victorians and people from across Australia and the world have donated generously through Red Cross to the Bushfire Appeal Fund and I congratulate Mr Landy and his panel for deciding on assistance that reflects the generosity and compassion in which these funds were donated,” Mr Brumby said.

Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction, Bill Shorten welcomed the Bushfire Appeal Fund’s new assistance measures.

“We have pledged to stand by communities affected by the bushfires and we will rebuild these communities. The grants announced by the Bushfire Appeal Fund today, together with other assistance available, will go a long way towards helping people get back on their feet and move forward to recover and rebuild,” Mr Shorten said.

The Commonwealth, ANZ, Westpac, NAB, and Bendigo Bank, have offered to provide one-on-one financial information free of charge to people affected by the bushfires. NAB has also offered to create a financial plan free of charge for any person wishing to take up the offer.

Mr Landy said the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund had allocated more than $228 million of the $301 million raised so far.

“The focus of the Appeal Fund has always been that the money raised through the generosity of people across Victoria, Australia and the world should go directly to those people and communities affected by the bushfires and these payments are doing just that,” he said.

Bushfire Appeal Fund assistance available includes:

Destroyed homes
Home owners whose principal place of residence was destroyed by the bushfires are eligible to receive $50,000. This universal payment consists of $35,000 for re-housing and $15,000 to replace contents. A further needs-based hardship payment of up to $40,000 is available for re-housing.

Damaged homes
Home owners whose primary place of residence was partially destroyed by the bushfires may be eligible for a payment of $15,000 for costs associated with repairs and rebuilding. A further needs-based payment of up to $16,000 is available to homeowners for repairs to the primary residence.

Other buildings
Funding of up to $15,000 also extends to external structures on the property including sheds, bungalows and water pumps and tanks.

Tenants
Tenants whose principal place of residence was destroyed by the bushfires are also eligible to apply for a $15,000 payment per property, for contents lost or damaged.

Payments including the contents grant of $15,000 are available immediately while other funding will be available subject o conditions such as supplying a signed statutory declaration and receiving financial advice provided through the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.

Mr Landy again thanked those who have given to help those in hardship and said that the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Panel would continue to assess and announce further allocations.

For further information on assistance available call the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund on 1800 180 213 or visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal.