Residents and businesses in nine South Australian local government areas are now able to apply for a range of assistance to help them clean up, get back to business and back into homes.
The Albanese and Malinauskas Governments today announced $126.25 million in further disaster assistance for communities hit by the devastating flooding that peaked in Renmark on Boxing Day and is subsequently impacting downriver areas.
The funding for the flood event that started in mid-November 2022 and continues to cause major issues for communities all along the Murray River, is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
A comprehensive range of assistance is available:
- Property Assessment and Essential Services Reconnection; $10 million to assess damage to primary residential properties including structural damage, electrical infrastructure and reconnection of services.
- Small Business Recovery Grants: $9.3 million (up to $50,000 per business) to help affected businesses get up and running again.
- Primary Producer Recovery Grants: $45.9 million (up to $75,000 per producer) for clean-up and reinstatement of the primary producer businesses.
- Waste Management Program: $60 million for assessment of hazardous waste, including disposal, and other waste management activity.
- Blackwater: $800,000 to assist with clean-up of large scale fish kills.
- Legal Assistance: $250,000 for legal assistance for affected people and businesses.
The nine local government areas eligible for funding are Alexandrina Council, Berri Barmera Council, Coorong District Council, District Council of Karoonda East Murray, District Council of Loxton Waikerie, Mid Murray Council, Murray Bridge Council, Pastoral Unincorporated Area and Renmark Paringa Council.
Further measures being provided through a separate funding process include $5 million for a range of activities relating to flood mitigation and recovery for impacted councils, and $250,000 for mentors for rural businesses and financial counselling support for families.
For information about these grants, contact the South Australian Relief hotline on 1800 302 787.
Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese said
In this time of crisis, the people of South Australia should know that the Federal Government is standing by them ready to help wherever and whenever it is needed.
This assistance will provide invaluable support to residents, farmers and businesses to recover from this flooding disaster.
The quicker we recover, the sooner we can begin investing in mitigation to lessen the impact of events like this in the future.
Premier of South Australia Peter Malinauskas said
We’re still witnessing these floodwaters wreak devastation along the river.
Our river communities have been united, resourceful and courageous through this event.
But we know we have a significant clean-up ahead.
Getting to work quickly will be vitally important for communities to recover and thrive.
That’s why we’ve been working extremely closely with the Commonwealth to help our communities who’ve been so united, resourceful and courageous throughout this event, to not just get back on their feet, but thrive.
I’m pleased today to be able to announce this additional $126.25 million in funding to help them put recent events in the past, and look to the future.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said
We know it’s going to be a long road to recovery, but this new funding means that people will have access to the immediate, impactful support they need to start to clean up, repair, rebuild and recover.
The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring communities in South Australia are better prepared and can recover quicker from natural disasters.
We will continue to work very closely with the Malinauskas Government to provide assistance and support as and when it’s needed.