Victorian election 2022: Coalition calls for disaster declaration for flooded communities

A natural disaster declaration isn’t needed for Victoria’s flooding, the emergency commissioner says. But the Coalition is calling for a rethink

A declaration of natural disaster is needed to open up federal funds to flooded regional Victoria, the Coalition says.

Opposition frontbencher Roma Britnell says rural councils were battling to repair roads and needed the state declaration to allow for Canberra cash to flow into municipal coffers.

“Declaring a state of disaster permits funds from the National Disaster Fund to become available to rebuild infrastructure, including our roads,” Ms Britnell said.

More than $1 billion in state and federal funding has already been opened up for flood-hit communities, with Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp last month saying the lack of a declaration did not impede financial support.

“Can I just be clear not declaring a state of disaster in Victoria in no way impacts, impedes any of announcements the premier has just made in relation to any funding arrangements whatsoever,” Mr Crisp said.

A Council Flood Support Fund was established as an initial measure to provide immediate payments of $500,000 to the 50 council areas enveloped by floodwaters.

Clean-up assistance is also being provided through state-federal Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements with an initial $150 million to prioritise hazard assessments and clean-up.

Jointly-funded emergency re-establishment payments have also been activated, providing up to $43,850 for households facing financial hardship.

A further $130 million has been allocated to support the flood recovery efforts on public land.

Roma Britnell at the 2018 election. Picture: James Ross

Writing in today’s Weekly Times, the South West Coast MP said the declaration was more than a bureaucratic penstroke as it opened up significant funding potential.

“Victorian councils don’t have the resources to repair the roads,” Ms Britnell said.

“Council’s coffers are empty and they are unable to begin the crucial repair work.

“The Victorian Liberals recognise this crisis. We will ensure emergency funding is available to deliver a functioning transport system for our regions.”

Emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp during a press conference at the State Control Centre. Picture: Aaron Francis

Last month, Premier Daniel Andrews said: “no declarations are missing and no declarations are necessary – the moment one did become necessary of course we will make it.”

“It is simply not correct to say that there’s a piece of paper somewhere that needs to be signed and suddenly all this additional support will flow,” Mr Andrews said.

“Every dollar that’s needed will be provided, every program that is needed will be stood up and we will be there for the long term

“This is not a week or a month this event in different forms will be with those communities and therefore with all of us this is the food bowl of our nation we will all be on this for a long, long period of time and those communities need to know that everything is being done for them and it is.”

More than 40 local government areas across regional NSW have been subject to natural disaster declarations by the Perrottet Government since floodwaters began inflicting damage to property in September.

Last week, Mr Andrews visited Shepparton to meet with emergency service workers involved in the flood clean up. He later announced further assistance for flood victims with a food charity funding package.