Monday, 20 April 2009

Rural landowners affected by the 2009 bushfires may be eligible to receive a one-off payment of $5,000 from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.

In Maiden Gully today, the Chair of the Appeal Fund Advisory Panel, John Landy and the Premier John Brumby announced that the $5,000 payment would be available to country Victorians impacted by the fires who have five hectares or more.

“We have been working extensively to address the issue of providing funding to cover the cost of loss and damage on rural properties,” Mr Landy said.

“The Panel recognises the challenges facing rural Victorians affected by the fires and we are continuing to explore ways of providing assistance to rural communities.

“Over 1,000 property owners are expected to receive a benefit from this payment, which can be used for a number of repairs including replacing or repairing fencing or other external structures such as troughs and tanks or for regenerating land.

“It comes on top of a grant of up to $15,000, announced last week, available for people whose homes were damaged by the fires for repairs or replacement of external structures such as sheds, bungalows and water tanks and pumps that were damaged in the fires.

Rural landowners who have not received the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements Clean Up and Restoration Grant are eligible to apply for the $5,000 Rural Properties Recovery Assistance payment.

Mr Landy said the Appeal Fund Advisory Panel was trying to ensure rural landowners had access to assistance from the Fund.

“We are attempting to strike the right balance between ensuring generous donations to this fund are dispersed with the intent of the donors and meets the needs of the individuals, families and communities affected by these horrific fires,” Mr Landy said.

“This payment will also complement the program run by the Victorian Farmers’ Federation where landholders with damaged fences can seek assistance from volunteering fencing teams who will help with repair works,” Mr Landy said.

Mr Brumby said the Bushfire Appeal Fund allocation would make a significant difference to rural landowners facing the challenging task of cleaning-up and rebuilding their properties.

“Victorians and people from across Australia and the world have donated so generously through Red Cross to the Bushfire Appeal Fund and once again, 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.

“Our Government has already provided funding to the VFF to support and accommodate volunteers to ensure rural landholders get the support they need to replace boundary fences.

“We’ve also assisted in the employment of co-ordinators across the state to assist in the program on top of our support towards the insurance excess for farmers who have insured their fencing.”

Today’s announcement brings to more than $233 million the total allocated from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund. The Appeal closed on Friday 17 April, with $310 million raised.

Anyone wanting information about assistance should call the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Hotline on 1800 180 213 or visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal.

Grants allocated by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund to date include:

$158 million Rebuilding and Recovery Payment: A $50,000 universal payment is available to homeowners whose principal place of residence was destroyed, with a further payment of up to $40,000 available on the basis of hardship. A grant of up to $15,000 with a further needs-based payment of up to $16,000 is available for repair to damaged primary residences. Tenants are eligible to receive $15,000 to cover the cost of home contents, in the event their rental property was destroyed in the fires.

$2.3 million Compassion and Bereavement Payment: immediate support of $10,000 to those families that lost loved ones.

$30 million Initial Home Dislocation Payment: families who lost their principal place of residence or were otherwise unable to return home for more than a week were eligible to receive an average of up to $10,000.

$8 million Tools of Trade Payment: a $5,000 grant to assist people who have lost equipment vital to their trade and employment and are an employee working for a registered business.