Murray River residents receive $126m in aid to help rebuild

Riverland residents and businesses in South Australia affected by the flooding of the Murray River have been provided with the ‘largest disaster support package’ in the state’s history.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: Emma Brasier

Riverland residents and businesses in South Australia affected by the flooding of the Murray River have been provided with the “largest disaster support package” in the state’s history to help them get back on their feet.

South Australia is enduring its worst flooding in more than 60 years, with 3400 houses believed to have been damaged by the floodwaters.

Anthony Albanese and Premier Peter Malinauskas on Tuesday announced the $126m package, which has been jointly funded by the federal and state governments, to support the communities devastated by the flood crisis.

Under the package, $10m has been allocated to assess damage to some 4000 homes – including structural damage, electrical infrastructure and reconnection of services – while another $10m has been provided to help small businesses get back up and running.

These businesses will be eligible to receive up to $50,000 as a “recovery grant”, on top of the “support grant” worth $10,000 that was made available to them last week.

Grants will also be made available to “primary producers” or agribusinesses, which will entitle them to up to $75,000 to recover and reinstate their business.

The package has also allocated $60m for the assessment of hazardous waste, including disposal, while $800,000 will go towards cleaning up dead fish.

Mr Malinauskas said nearly $180m had now been provided to South Australia by the federal and state governments since the flood crisis began.

“This ($126m package) is the biggest funding package to any disaster in our understanding in the state’s history,” the Premier said.

“It demonstrates just how serious we are to do the preparatory work but then to do the recovery as well, because the clean-up effort is going to be big.”

Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the money was to be made available to residents and businesses from Tuesday.

“We know it’s going to be a long road to recovery, but this new funding means people will have access to the immediate, impactful support they need to start to clean up, repair, rebuild and recover,” Mr Watt said.

“To our knowledge, this is the largest disaster support package that has ever been provided to South Australia.”

The Prime Minister said South Australians 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 disaster.”