Federal funds for Ellendale

AUSTRALIAN Government Disaster Recovery Payments (AGDRP) will be made available to eligible residents of the Ellendale area. Human Services Minister Kim Carr told ABC Radio this afternoon that the same support would be exended to the ravaged Derwent Valley town as had previously been offered only to residents of the municipalities of Sorell, Tasman and Glamorgan-Spring Bay. 

Eligible people affected by the bushfires that started on January 3-4 in southeast and eastern Tasmania will be able to claim payments of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child. Senator Carr said these bushfires have had a devastating impact on some communities and the payments will assist individuals and families to get back on their feet.

People directly affected by the bushfires are urged to take advantage of this assistance. Centrelink has deployed officers to recovery centres in Tasmania to assist with the claims process. Claim forms are available online at www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster but claims can also be lodged by is by calling the Australian Government Information Line on 180 22 66 from 8am to 8pm.

This assistance is over and above the support to be provided by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments under the jointly funded Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). Affected residents may also be eligible for personal hardship and distress assistance, including a range of grants administered by the Tasmanian Government. Further information on Australian Government assistance is available online at www.disasterassist.gov.au.