Racing industry businesses and participants may be eligible for assistance from a number of government programs established to provide financial assistance for those affected by the Victorian floods.
ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES AND ORGANISATIONS
Two assistance schemes for small businesses (eg trainers), primary producers (eg breeding farms) and not-for-profit organisations (eg racing clubs) are being managed by the Rural Finance Corporation on behalf of the Victorian Government.
A Clean-up and Restoration Grant of up to $25,000 (previously $15,000) provides a one-off grant to primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations who have suffered direct damage as a result of the floods between August 2010 and January 2011 in Victoria, for clean-up, removal of debris, animal welfare and business restoration.
Concessional Flood Damage Assistance Loans are also being offered to eligible primary producers and small businesses whose properties have suffered direct damage as a result of floods between August 2010 and January 2011 in Victoria.
Fact sheets and application forms for both schemes are available via the Rural Finance Corporation website www.ruralfinance.com.au and further advice is available by calling the Rural Finance Corporation on 03 5448 2600.
ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS
Centrelink is administering two assistance programs.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment provides for payments of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child are available if:
> a person was seriously injured, or
> a person is the immediate family member of an Australian killed as a direct result of the disaster, or
> a person’s principal place of residence has been destroyed, or
> a person’s principal place of residence has sustained major damage, or
> a person is unable to gain access to their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more, or
> a person is stranded in their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more, or
> a person's principal place of residence was without electricity, water, gas, sewerage services or another essential service for at least 48 hours, or
> a person is a principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above.
Fact sheets and application forms are available via the following link: http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/emergency/vic_floods_jan11_agdrp.htm
Further advice is also available by calling Centrelink on 180 22 66.
The Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy provides fortnightly payments to employees, small business persons and farmers who have lost income as a direct result of floods. Payments are equivalent to the Newstart Allowance which ranges from $377 to $508 per fortnight.
Fact sheets and application forms are available via the following link:
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/emergency/severe_weather_dec10_dirs.htm
Further advice is available by calling Centrelink on 180 22 66.
Finally, the Victorian Department of Human Services is managing the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements which extend to –
> emergency grants of up to $1,067 to provide assistance to meet immediate basic needs,
> temporary living expense grants of up to $8,650 to assist households with the cost of temporary accommodation and living expenses, and
> re-establishment grants of up to $8,650 for repairs to structural damage to a residence and $8,650 to replace essential household contents such as furnishings and electrical goods.
Fact sheets and application forms are available via the following link:
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/flood_recovery/financial_and_material_assistance#phg
Further advice is available by calling the relevant DHS regional office:
Barwon-South West (03) 5226 4540
Gippsland (03) 5177 2500
Grampians (03) 5333 6669
Hume (03) 5722 0555
Loddon-Mallee (03) 5434 5555.
UPDATES ON GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS
Updates on the above information will be posted on the Victorian Government website at: http://www.vic.gov.au/emergencies-safety/emergency-services/emergency-information/victorian-floods-january-2011.html#a2
FURTHER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE FROM RACING VICTORIA
Racing Victoria’s CustomerFirst is available to assist if you encounter any problems in accessing the above information or forms or need any other support in applying to the various government assistance schemes and can be reached on 1300 139 401 or by e-mail at information@racingvictoria.net.au
