The Victorian Government will offer flood-affected residents whose homes were damaged or left without power thousands in payouts.
Catastrophic floods and wild winds plunged thousands of homes into darkness across the state last week, with an estimated 64,000 people still without power.
Acting Premier James Merlino said those eligible will receive a prolonged power outage payment of $1,680 a week for up to three weeks, as of June 17.
The Victorian Government has announced storm-affected residents will receive a relief payment of $1,680 a week, for up to three weeks, as of June 17
Catastrophic floods and wild winds plunged thousands of homes into darkness across the state. Pictured: Flood damage at the entrance of a gold mine in Walhalla
The payment will support about 7,000 households buy basics supplies, find alternative accommodation and help lighten the load during a difficult time.
‘The damage done by these catastrophic storms to communities across the state – including my own local area in the Dandenongs – is immense and I know a lot of people are doing it very tough right now’, Mr Merlino said.
‘That’s why we’re stepping it to provide additional assistance to make sure people have food, accommodation and support to begin the work of recovery.’
Families whose homes were inhabitable or inaccessible for over seven days, are also entitled to emergency re-establishment payments worth $42,250, which were announced on Sunday.
The Victorian Government is also in talks with Ausnet about reimbursing customers who experienced prolonged power outages over the last week.
Acting Premier James Merlino (pictured) said he understood a lot of Victorians were doing it tough right now
SES Victoria has reported more than 7400 requests for help, with about 5800 related to fallen trees. Pictured: Floodwaters at the Walhalla North Gardens
The Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, said the storms caused households immense ‘damage, distress and disconnection’.
‘We are determined to stand with affected families, businesses and communities – to support and protect them, and help them get back on their feet’, she said.
Major flooding in Victoria last week left regional areas without power, and caused extensive damage to homes after torrential rain hit the region.
The mammoth task of cleaning-up after the devastating floods will be headed by Bushfire Recovery Australia, which will help to support storm-affected communities.
The Australian Defence Force will also step-up in the following weeks, to assist with logistics and planning on the ground.
The government declared a State Energy Emergency in response to the impacts of flood-waters in Gippsland on the Yallourn Power Station, with significant cracks in the banks of the Morwell River Diversion and the wall of the mine causing concern.
The mammoth task of cleaning-up after the devastating floods will be headed by Bushfire Recovery Australia. Pictured: Local residents assessing the damage in Lilydale
The payouts will support an estimated 7,000 households purchase basics supplies, find alternative accommodation and help lighten the load during a difficult time
Urgent action will be taken to divert water away from the mine, to ensure power continues to be delivered to the 22 per cent of the state that rely on the station.
In good news for affected residents, the Australian Energy Market Operator has advised on no forecasted power supply issues for Victoria due to low winter demand and the versatility of the state’s energy generation.
Acting Minister for Emergency Services Danny Pearson said he understood how difficult the past week has been for storm-affected parts of Victoria.
‘Our emergency service agencies have been working around the clock to help those communities in need’, he said.
SES Victoria has reported more than 7,400 requests for help, with about 5y,800 related to fallen trees.