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Disaster Assistance For Victorian Communities Impacted By July Storms

Member for Morwell Russell Northe has welcomed the announcement from Commonwealth Minister for Justice Michael Keenan and Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services Kim Wells that disaster assistance

By Russell Northe - 21st August 2014 - Back to News

has been activated in Latrobe City following storms in late July. Mr Northe said the assistance was being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. "The Commonwealth and Victorian governments are committed to working together to assist affected communities so that they can recover from the storms as soon as possible," Mr Northe said. Assistance is available in the local government areas of: · Baw Baw · Cardinia · East Gippsland · Glenelg · Latrobe · Macedon Ranges · South Gippsland · Wellington · Yarra Ranges Mr Northe said the July storms caused damage to public infrastructure and extensive clean-up operations were undertaken by local councils. "This funding will help Latrobe City Council with the costs of repairing damaged essential public assets and undertaking clean-up operations," Mr Northe said. Mr Northe praised the efforts of local council and emergency services personnel in helping affected communities in the aftermath of the storms.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said extreme weather events were unpredictable, but there was appropriate support available to people most affected.

"For anyone who is caught up in a storm, the effects last well beyond the initial destruction," Mr Chester said.

"These grants will help people who have gone through personal hardship or distress to get back on their feet."

Information on disaster assistance can be located on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au or the Victoria Disaster Management website www.recovery.vic.gov.au.

Media contact: 5133 9088

Source: http://gippsland.com/

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