The Hodgman Liberal Government has acted swiftly to provide assistance to individuals and Councils in the aftermath of the recent devastating floods in the South.
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements have been activated in conjunction with the Federal Government.
This includes the activation of the Natural Disaster Relief to Local Government Policy to allow for joint State and Commonwealth Government funding contributions towards reimbursing Councils’ costs relating to the floods.
The Department of Premier and Cabinet, as the responsible agency for managing recovery at a state level, has established a Recovery Unit within the Office of Security and Emergency Management specifically to support local government and coordinate State Government recovery activity.
The Recovery Unit is working with Councils to set up affected area recovery committees to ensure they get the support they need.
The impacts of events such as this one can take time to fully emerge. The Government will continue to consider and investigate options for additional support for individuals, councils, and businesses affected by the extreme weather.
It is vital that we learn from our experiences and that is why the Government commissioned former Auditor-General Mike Blake to conduct an independent review of the 2016 flood events.
Mr Blake’s Report was released in June 2017, and the Government has been getting on with the job of implementing the recommendations.
A major flood mapping project, worth a total of $3 million dollars with equal contributions from the Tasmanian and Australian Governments is currently in its planning phase.
Tasmanians have often shown our strength in response, resilience and recovery, and the Hodgman Liberal Government is strongly committed to enhancing community resilience, and to supporting actions that mitigate risk and help communities recover after natural disasters.
I wish to thank all of Tasmania’s emergency services personnel who acted with diligence and bravery and who did an incredible job in the face of extreme and challenging circumstances.
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