The Tasmanian Government is working closely with affected councils to provide practical and personal support for Tasmanians who have left their homes due to the current bushfires.
Evacuation Centres are open in Huonville, Bothwell and Hamilton to provide safe shelter, personal support and counselling to Tasmanians as they heed Tasmania Fire Service advice to leave areas likely to be impacted by fires and ember attacks.
Tasmanians affected by the fires in the Huon and Central Highlands areas who require clothing, food, transport, shelter and personal items may be able to access emergency housing support and assistance grants at the Hamilton Evacuation Centre and the Baden Powell Scout & Guide Hall, 8 Heron Street, Huonville.
People in need of assistance are asked to bring photo identification with proof of address as this will be used to confirm eligibility for the grant, which will be provided by cheque. ANZ (11am-3pm) and Commonwealth Bank (10am-2pm) branches in Huonville are open today to cash cheques.
Thank you to the banks and their staff for opening on a public holiday to enable Tasmanians to access this assistance.
The grants are being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The Government’s Regional Social Recovery Coordinators are working closely with council staff to assess the needs of Tasmanians impacted by fires in other areas of the State.
The Government and the community are extremely grateful for the work of our dedicated volunteer and career firefighters, as well as those from interstate and New Zealand, who continue to work to protect life and property in these hot and difficult conditions.