Financial boost for Tasmanians recovering from ravaging storms
Further assistance has arrived for communities picking up the pieces from damaging storms that swept through Tasmania. The details.
Tasmania
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Tasmanian communities in recovery after flooding and wind damage caused by severe weather in August and September could be eligible for a share of more than $10m in new state and federal government funding, to be announced Sunday.
Strong winds and heavy rainfall lashed large parts of the state, with the Derwent Valley, Central Highlands, Launceston and the North West copping the brunt of repeated storms.
The River Derwent below Meadowbank Dam, in the Derwent Valley, reached a record flooding level of above 8m during the flooding and up to 150,000 customers across the state experienced power outages at some stage.
Businesses and communities are continuing to clean up and return to normal after storm damage, their efforts now supported through three jointly funded grant programs.
Tasmania’s Small Business and Consumer Affairs Minister Michael Ferguson said the new grants were being made available to meet the needs of Tasmanian businesses, producers and organisations.
“We recognise the serious impacts and disruptions many Tasmania businesses, producers and organisations have suffered as a result of the severe weather event,” he said.
“These grants are targeted at those who suffered direct damage from the storms and flood waters and need recovery support.
“These businesses and organisations play a vital part in our local economies and communities and these grants will assist in the recovery phase.”
The three Emergency Response Grants are the Small Business Grant of up to a maximum of $25,000, a maximum of $25,000 for non-profit organisations and a maximum of $10,000 for primary producers statewide.
Producers in the Derwent Valley and Central Highlands may be eligible for additional funds up to $15,000 due to significant flooding in the area.
The new program will be in addition to grants already supplied during August and September.
Both state and federal governments will also assist in deploying two additional community recovery officers to work closely with the community to help identify their needs.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said the extra funding was a sign of commitment to storm-impacted communities.
“We know recovery takes time, which is why both levels of government are providing this financial support as we help impacted businesses, farmers, and non-profit organisations recover and get back on their feet,” she said.
Federal Small Business Minister Julie Collins said the federal government was acting to assist Tasmanian communities.
“These grants will help reduce clean up and recovery costs for Tasmanian small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations who were impacted by severe weather earlier this year,” she said.
“Grants like this can make all the difference in helping to ensure impacted Tasmanian small businesses can get back on their feet faster, which in turn helps the affected local communities start to thrive again.”
Grants open from Tuesday, October 15. More information, including how to apply, is available at www.TasRECOVERY.com
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