A $9.67 million Community Recovery Fund is being made available to support local government areas significantly affected by the extreme weather event on 10 and 11 May 2018.
The Community Recovery Fund is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Linda Reynolds, who has responsibility for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said this extreme weather event had caused major disruptions and substantial damage in communities across the State.
“Months later, communities are still dealing with the impacts of heavy rain and flooding and further support is needed to help them recover,” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.
“Today’s announcement will also enable the Tasmanian Government to access additional Commonwealth financial assistance for the restoration of State owned natural and heritage assets.”
“This Community Recovery Fund is yet another example of the Commonwealth and Tasmanian governments working closely together to provide disaster funding for a range of practical assistance to support affected communities.”
Tasmanian Acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff said that the State Government has worked with affected councils to identify impacts.
“The extreme weather event caused extensive damage to community facilities and recreational assets, including walking tracks, mountain bike trails, parks, and playgrounds,” Minister Rockliff said.
“The restoration of these assets will be very welcome news and will further assist the recovery process for these communities.
“The restoration of Parks and Wildlife Services assets and heritage buildings and structures at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery will also help the economic recovery of local communities which rely on these assets for tourism and visitors.”
In addition to the restoration of community assets, up to $920,000 will support community awareness, recovery and resilience building initiatives, including the establishment of a $500,000 community grants program.
Councils, non-profit organisations and businesses will be able to apply for funding to deliver locally driven projects that will assist in reducing the social, infrastructure and economic impacts of future events in the affected areas. Further information on the grants will be made available soon.
The $9.67 million Community Recovery Fund is in addition to the range of assistance already made available under the NDRRA to help affected individuals, families, small businesses, primary producers, non-profit organisations and local councils with their recovery from the extreme weather event.
Further information on the Community Recovery Fund is available on the TasALERT website at www.tasalert.com/recovery and the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au.