National Flood Assistance Programs

Transcription

1 National Flood Assistance Programs

2 National Flood Assistance Programs The recent floods that have caused wide spread devastation across Queensland have had a significant impact on individuals, small businesses and primary producers. Federal and State Government responses to the crisis have been swift and a wide range of funding initiatives have been launched, to compliment already existing programs. We have compiled a guide detailing all the funding programs that are available to those affected by the floods. We have listed the grants and loans according to whether they are being funded by the Federal or State Government, then by their relevance to individuals, small business or primary producers. For information on schemes being offered by local councils, please contact your council directly. The guide also refers to some of the existing drought funding programs. While this may seem a strange fit, these programs actually offer assistance in exceptional circumstances and these circumstances have now been broadened to include the recent floods. For more detail on your eligibility for any of the schemes or to make an application, please contact the relevant department or program provider, whose details we have listed at the bottom of each program.

3 Contents 1. Summary Matrix Federal Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy Australian Taxation Office Flood Assistance Queensland Premier s Disaster Relief Appeal Emergency Assistance Structural Assistance Grant Essential Household Contents Grant Personal Hardship Assistance Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant Mortgage Relief Loan Brisbane City Council Financial Assistance Special Disaster Flood Assistance Small Businesses Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance Small Business Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) Small Business Special Disaster Flood Assistance Primary Producers Freight Subsidies Primary Producers Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance Primary Producers Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) Primary Producers Drought Recovery Scheme Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements New South Wales Natural Disaster Relief Scheme Household Contents and Structural Repairs Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Stamp Duty Relief) Motor Vehicles Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants) Small Businesses Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Loans) Small Business and Primary Producers. 27 Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants) Primary Producers Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Transport Subsidies) Primary Producers.. 29 Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Loans) Not-for-Profit Organisations Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme Sporting Clubs

4 5. Victoria Personal Hardship Grants Emergency Grant Personal Hardship Grants Temporary Living Grant Personal Hardship Grants Re-Establishment Grant Clean-Up and Restoration Grant Small Business Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy Support Small Businesses Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) Small Businesses Clean-Up and Restoration Grant Primary Producers Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy Support Primary Producers Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) Primary Producers Clean-Up and Restoration Grant Not-For-Profit Organisations Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) Not-For-Profit Organisations Community Recovery Fund South Australia Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies (ECIRS) Small Businesses. 44 Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies (ECIRS) Primary Producers Tasmania Clean Up and Assistance Grants Small Businesses Clean Up and Assistance Grants Primary Producers Clean Up and Assistance Grants Charities and Non-Profit Organisations

5 National Flood Assistance Programs 3 1. Summary Matrix The programs under each region are sorted alphabetically. Funding Programs Individual Small Business Primary Producer Other Grant Loan Loan Subsidy Other Federal Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment P P Australian Taxation Office Flood Assistance P P Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy P P P Queensland Brisbane City Council Flood Assistance P P Drought Recovery Scheme P P Essential Household Contents Grant P P Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant P P Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) Primary Producers P P Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) Small Business P P Freight Subsidies Primary Producers P P Mortgage Relief Loan P P Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance Primary Producers P P Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance Small Business P P Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements P P Personal Hardship Assistance P P Premier s Disaster Relief Appeal P P Special Disaster Flood Assistance Primary Producers P P Special Disaster Flood Assistance Small Businesses P P Structural Assistance Grant P P New South Wales Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme Sporting Clubs P P P Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Loans) Not-for-Profit Organisations P P Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Transport Subsidies) Primary Producers P P Natural Disaster Relief Scheme Household Contents and Structural Repairs P P P Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Loans) Small Business and Primary Producers P P P Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants) Primary Producers P P Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants) Small Businesses P P Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Stamp Duty Relief) Motor Vehicles P P P P P

6 4 National Flood Assistance Programs Funding Programs Individual Small Business Primary Producer Other Grant Loan Loan Subsidy Other Victoria Clean-Up and Restoration Grant Not-For-Profit Organisations P P Clean-Up and Restoration Grant Primary Producers P P Clean-Up and Restoration Grant Small Business P P Community Recovery Fund P P Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy Support Primary Producers P P Exceptional Circumstances Interest Subsidy Support Small Businesses P P Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) Not-For-Profit Organisations P P Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) Primary Producers P P Flood/Hail Damage Assistance (Loans) Small Businesses P P Personal Hardship Grants Emergency Grant P P Personal Hardship Grants Re-Establishment Grant P P Personal Hardship Grants Temporary Living Grant P P South Australia Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies (ECIRS) Primary Producers P P Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidies (ECIRS) Small Businesses P P Tasmania Clean Up and Assistance Grants Charities and Non-Profit Organisations P P Clean Up and Assistance Grants Primary Producers P P Clean Up and Assistance Grants Small Businesses P P

7 National Flood Assistance Programs 5 2. Federal Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment Individuals Funding Amount: Up to $1,000 A payment to assist people adversely affected by the heavy rainfall, storm damage and associated flooding that began in November 2010 and continued in January 2011 in the state of Queensland. Payments of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child will be made if: A person was seriously injured. A person is the immediate family member of an Australian killed as a direct result of the disaster. A person s principal place of residence has been destroyed. A person s principal place of residence has sustained major damage. A person is unable to gain access to their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more. A person is stranded in their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more. A person s principal place of residence was without electricity, water, gas, sewerage services or another essential service for at least 48 hours (a utility failure) and the utility failure was caused by damage to public or private infrastructure. A person is a principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above. Closing Information Claim forms must be lodged before 4 July Name: Centrelink Phone: Web:

8 6 National Flood Assistance Programs Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy Individuals & Small Business This subsidy will assist employees, small business persons, and farmers who have had a loss of income as a direct result of the flooding and severe weather that began from 29 November 2010 and continued in January 2011 in the states of QLD, NSW, Victoria, SA and WA. A claimant will be eligible where he/she: Derives an income from an area affected by the disaster or resides in an area affected by the disaster. Is 16 years of age, or older, and is not a dependent child. Is either an Australian resident and living in Australia for the period he/she is receipt of the Subsidy. Or a foreign national, living or working in Australia at the time of the disaster and for the period of time he/she is in receipt of the Subsidy. Has experienced a loss of income as a direct result of the disaster and can show evidence supporting this within 28 days. Is not currently (at the time of lodgement) receiving another income support payment or pension (such as Age Pension, Newstart Allowance, service pension from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or Exceptional Circumstances Income Relief Payment). Where a member of a couple, the claimant must qualify in their own right. Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy consists of ex-gratia payments equivalent to the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance, as detailed below: Single $ per fortnight. Single with dependent child $ per fortnight. Partnered $424 (each) per fortnight. Under 21 (from 29 November 2010 to 31 December 2010) $377 per fortnight. Under 21 (from 1 January 2011) $ per fortnight year old, single with dependent child $ per fortnight. Main Assessment Criteria May need to show proof of birth or proof of arrival in Australia, or, any other approved documents. You will also need to provide evidence supporting the claimed loss of income within 28 days of claiming, for example, pay slips from an employer, bank statements showing previous bank deposits from an employer, a letter from the employer, BAS statements, income tax returns, or other account documents identifying cash flow. Closing Date: 28 February 2011 Name: Centrelink Phone: Web:

9 National Flood Assistance Programs 7 Australian Taxation Office Flood Assistance Small Business The ATO recognises that businesses in flood affected areas may need more time to meet their lodgment and payment obligations. If your business address is in Queensland (one of the identified flood affected postcodes listed on the ATO website) or the Tweed area, the ATO will automatically defer the lodgment and payment dates for December monthly activity statements from the original due date of 21 January 2011 to 21 February Applicants will not need to apply for a deferral. If deferrals to later dates have already been approved, they will still apply. Closing Information Lodgement and payment dates for December monthly activity statements are deferred from the original due date of 21 January 2011 to 21 February Name: Australian Tax Office Phone: Web:

10 8 National Flood Assistance Programs 3. Queensland Premier s Disaster Relief Appeal Emergency Assistance Individuals The Queensland Government launched a disaster relief appeal on 29 December 2010 to help those affected by wide spread flooding throughout the state. The Australian public, business community and all levels of government have given generously to the appeal, which will initially focus on helping individuals and families who are experiencing hardship from the impacts of this natural disaster. Eligible applicants will receive $2,000 per adult (18 years of age and over) $1,000 per dependent child (under 18 years of age). Flood affected individuals and families are eligible to apply. Main Assessment Criteria Applicants (their partner and/or children) may be eligible for an Emergency Assistance payment if: The damaged residence was their home that they lived in (principal place of residence) at the time of the flooding, regardless of whether they own or rent the property (e.g. a house, unit, caravan or other dwelling). The damaged residence was flooded internally above the level of the floor in the living areas (e.g. lounge room, rumpus, dining room, kitchen or bedrooms) making their home uninhabitable. They will find it hard to recover from the impact of the floods without financial assistance. Closing Information Applications are advised to lodge their claim as soon as possible. Closing Date: 31 March 2011 Name: Premiers Disaster Relief Appeal Distribution Committee Phone: Web:

11 National Flood Assistance Programs 9 Structural Assistance Grant Individuals Funding Amount: Up to $14,200 The grant may be available to property owners whose homes have been damaged by the disaster. The home must be uninsured for this disaster event, owned by the applicant and their sole place of residence at the time of the disaster. The grant provides a contribution towards repair of the residence to a habitable and secure condition. Assistance is available to individuals and families who have been flooded in Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Mackay, Maranoa, Moreton Bay, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs council areas. This grant is a means tested once-off payment of up to $10,500 per individual, and up to $14,200 for a couple/family, less amounts paid as an Emergent Assistance Grant and/or Essential Household Contents Grant. Name: Queensland State Government Phone: Web:

12 10 National Flood Assistance Programs Essential Household Contents Grant Individuals Funding Amount: Up to $5,120 This grant may be available to people who own essential household contents that have been lost or damaged in the disaster and who do not have contents insurance. This grant is a means tested once-off payment of up to $1,705 per adult, up to a maximum of $5,120 for a couple/family. Assistance is available to individuals and families who have been flooded in Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Mackay, Maranoa, Moreton Bay, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs council areas. Eligible household contents may include cooking utensils, clothing, bedding and linen, floor coverings, essential furniture and white goods and food lost due to storm damage. The grant assists with the repair or replacement of essential items and maximum limits apply for individual items. Name: Queensland State Government Phone: Web:

13 National Flood Assistance Programs 11 Personal Hardship Assistance Individuals Funding Amount: Up to $780 Personal Hardship Assistance may be available to individuals and families who do not have the capacity to meet immediate, unexpected basic costs for food, clothing, medical supplies or accommodation caused by the disaster. Assistance is available to individuals and families who have been flooded in Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Mackay, Maranoa, Moreton Bay, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs council areas. This grant is a non-means tested once-off payment of $170 per person, up to a maximum of $780 for a family of five or more. Name: Queensland State Government Phone: Web:

14 12 National Flood Assistance Programs Essential Services Safety and Reconnection Grant Individuals Funding Amount: Up to $5,000 Uninsured home owners may be eligible for a joint State/Federal Government grant to refund the cost of safely reconnecting electricity, gas, water, sewage services and septic systems damaged by flooding. The program provides up to $200 per service for safety inspections by accredited inspectors, and if deemed necessary, up to $4,200 to meet the cost of reinstalling services to Australian Standards by qualified tradespeople, after home inundation. Grants are available to residents in disaster areas declared after 29 November These include: Balonne, Banana, Barcaldine, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Central Highlands, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Goondiwindi, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer, Mackay, Maranoa, Moreton Bay, Murweh, North Burnett, Rockhampton, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Downs, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Western Downs council areas. The grant is income tested, with the upper income limits being $704 gross per week for a single adult, increasing by $51 per week per dependant or $930 per week for a couple, increasing by $51 per dependant. A reduced grant may be available if your income does not exceed these amounts by more than $40 per week. Assets must also be less than $6,135 for a household or $25,101 if you are a pensioner, excluding the value of your home, furniture and a motor vehicle. People who have already been assessed and granted an Essential Household Grant or Structural Assistance Grant since 29 November 2010 are automatically eligible. Name: Department of Communities Phone: enquiries@communities.qld.gov.au Web:

15 National Flood Assistance Programs 13 Mortgage Relief Loan Individuals Funding Amount: Loan up to $20,000 The program offers short-term assistance to people experiencing difficulties with their home loan repayments. These difficulties may be as a result of unemployment, accident, illness or some other crisis. Mortgage Relief is an interest free loan that must be repaid. The loan is repayable over a 10-year term. However, repayments are not required for the first 12 months. After that, applicants will be required to make regular monthly repayments, in addition to maintaining their regular home loan repayment. To be eligible for a Mortgage Relief Loan, applicants must meet the following requirements: Applicants must have sufficient equity in your home to provide security for any assistance given. The value of your mortgage must be less than $344,000. Applicant must be an owner-occupier and have every intention of maintaining ownership. Applicants can not own any other real estate. Applicants must be financially distressed and in danger of losing their home. A change in the applicants circumstances must have caused the level of the their home loan repayments to exceed 30% of their gross household income. Applicants must have taken all reasonable steps to meet their liabilities, and be able to demonstrate that they have been making home loan repayments of more than 30% of your gross household income. Applicants must complete an application form and give written authorisation for their home lender and other creditors to disclose information concerning their financial affairs to the Department of Communities. This authority will continue until the Mortgage Relief loan is repaid. Closing Information Applications are open on an ongoing basis. Name: Department of Communities Phone: ICCHousingEnquiries@smartservice.qld.gov.au Web:

16 14 National Flood Assistance Programs Brisbane City Council Financial Assistance Individuals Funding Amount: Rebate of up to $100 Due to the recent flood event, Brisbane ratepayers will be provided with the following financial relief: Flood victims will receive an extra 30 days to pay rates bills. All Brisbane ratepayers in flood affected homes will receive a $100 rebate on their water charge so that they can use the water needed to clean up after the flood. Council will not operate parking meters nor enforce timed parking zones and parking bays for 30 days in flood affected areas. Flood affected residents must contact their service providers to arrange extensions on any other bills. Residents of the Brisbane City Council are eligible to apply. Closing Information Please contact the Brisbane City Council or utilities provider for specific closing dates. Name: Brisbane City Council Phone: Web:

17 National Flood Assistance Programs 15 Special Disaster Flood Assistance Small Businesses Small Business Funding Amount: Up to $25,000 Grants of up to $25,000 are available to assist eligible small businesses as follows: Initial claim: up to $5,000 to assist you with immediate early recovery (subject to future QRAA audit). Subsequent claim: up to $20,000 to recover costs that you have paid in order to repair direct flood damage. As a small business, to be eligible for the grant you must: Own (whether as sole owner, in partnership or as a private company) a small business. Have been engaged in your small business, in the prescribed November and December 2010 flood disaster area and have suffered direct damage as a result of the flood event. Intend to re-establish your small business enterprise. Be responsible for meeting the costs you are claiming. To apply for assistance for direct damage caused by flooding in November and December 2010, you must be located in specified local government areas. As a small business, the assistance enables you to cover the costs associated with cleaning and restoration activities including: Purchasing, hiring or leasing plant, equipment or materials to clean or resume business activities. Clearing or disposing of debris and damaged goods or injured or dead livestock. Repairing buildings or fittings in buildings other than houses. Leasing temporary premises. Engaging a person to clean or conduct a safety inspection of premises. Paying additional wages to an employee to assist with the clean-up and restoration work. Name: QRAA Phone: Web:

18 16 National Flood Assistance Programs Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance Small Business Small Business Funding Amount: Loan up to $250,000 Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery arrangements provide concessional loans to small business owners whose buildings, plant and equipment or stock have been significantly damaged by an eligible natural disaster and who are unable to obtain commercial finance, but who nevertheless have sound prospects of long term viability. To be eligible to receive assistance, applicants must: Be a sole owner, partnership or proprietary company. Have sustained substantial damage to buildings, plant, equipment or stock as a result of an eligible natural disaster. Demonstrate inability to repair or replace the damaged assets or cannot return to viable operations from own resources without this assistance. Demonstrate that they have used up all liquid assets and normal credit sources. Demonstrate they have taken reasonable precautions to avoid or minimise loss or damage from the disaster. Demonstrate that with the assistance of this loan there are reasonable prospects of re-establishing the business on a viable basis. Demonstrate they are responsible for the cost of essential repairs or replacement of the damaged assets and as a result has had liquidity severely affected. Assistance is available in the form of concessional loans for re-establishing the viable operation of the business, including doing any of the following: Repairing or replacing damaged plant and equipment. Repairing or replacing buildings. Supplying stock for up to one month to replace lost stock and to maintain liquidity of the business. Main Assessment Criteria The amount of loan assistance is based on QRAA s assessment of the applicant s financial position, including any amount recovered under an insurance policy, and must not be more than the amount of the net loss to the business caused by the eligible natural disaster. Name: QRAA Phone: contact_us@qraa.qld.gov.au Web:

19 National Flood Assistance Programs 17 Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) Small Business Small Business Funding Amount: Up to $100,000 The Exceptional Circumstances loans aim to assist small businesses that are in financial difficulty due to their dependence on farming enterprises in an exceptional circumstance area and who have had long-term prospects of viability had exceptional circumstances not happened. The support will facilitate one or more of the following strategies: Improvements in business viability. Business continuity. Debt restructuring. Assistance will be provided as an interest subsidy for new or existing commercial loans. The applicant must: Own (whether sole owner, in partnership or as a private company) and operate a small business. Have owned the small business for at least two years. Demonstrate that the small business derives 70% or more of its business turnover from providing goods and services to farming enterprises in an Exceptional Circumstance declared area. Demonstrate that the small business is located in a relevant town and is dependent on farming enterprises for all parts of its business turnover. Demonstrate under normal circumstances, the applicant spends at least 75% of labour on the small business or, if the applicant is also an owner of a farming enterprise; and obtains at least 50% of applicants total business turnover from the small business. Demonstrate that the small business is in financial difficulty because of the impact of exceptional circumstances on farming enterprises in an exceptional circumstance area. Applications for 2011 are currently open to organisations in the following areas of Queenslands Gulf Region: Carpentaria Shire south of the Norman River, the Carron River and Rocky Creek, and east of M Creek, north of the Burketown Road and east of the McAllister Mail Run and the Burke Development Road, and Croydon Shire west of the Pelham and Richmond Roads. Main Assessment Criteria Please contact administrator to begin the application process. Closing Information Applications for assistance in Queenslands Gulf Region has two periods for funding submissions. The first period closes on 9 February 2011, and the second period closes on 15 June Name: Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Phone: contact_us@qraa.qld.gov.au Web:

20 18 National Flood Assistance Programs Special Disaster Flood Assistance Primary Producers Primary Producers Funding Amount: Up to $25,000 This special relief measure made under agreement between the Commonwealth and State Governments on 3 January 2011 is designed to assist primary producers pay for costs arising out of direct damage from flooding caused by heavy rains between November 2010 and January Grants of up to $25,000 are available to assist eligible primary producers as follows: Initial claim: up to $5,000 to assist you with immediate early recovery (subject to future QRAA audit) Subsequent claim: up to $20,000 to recover costs that you have paid in order to repair direct flood damage. As a primary producer, to be eligible for the grant you must: Be a primary producer. Have been engaged in your primary production enterprise, in the prescribed November and December 2010 flood disaster area and have suffered direct damage as a result of the flood event. Intend to re-establish your primary production enterprise. Be responsible for meeting the costs you are claiming. To apply for assistance for direct damage caused by flooding in November and December 2010, you must be located in specific local government areas. Primary producers in these areas that have suffered direct damage and who have generated more than 50 per cent of their income from their businesses are eligible to apply. The assistance enables the primary producer to cover the costs associated with cleaning and restoration activities including: Purchasing, hiring or leasing plant, equipment or materials to clean or resume business activities. Clearing or disposing of debris and damaged goods or injured or dead livestock. Repairing buildings or fittings in buildings other than houses. Leasing temporary premises. Engaging a person to clean or conduct a safety inspection of premises. Paying additional wages to an employee to assist with the clean-up and restoration work. Repairing or reconditioning essential plant or equipment. Repairing roads, fences and dams and other essential infrastructure. Repairing or restoring fields and purchasing fodder or saving crops or feed for livestock. Replacing lost or damaged stock (other than livestock). Maintain the health of livestock or poultry. Name: Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority Phone: Web:

21 National Flood Assistance Programs 19 Freight Subsidies Primary Producers Primary Producers Funding Amount: Subsidy up to $5,000 Freight subsidies of up to $5,000 per disaster event are available for eligible primary producers located within a disaster-declared area under joint Commonwealth/State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), or where a primary producer has a current Independent Disaster Stricken Property (IDSP) declaration. Freight subsidy assistance is available to any primary producer who owns, share-farms or leases a property and carries on the business of primary production, provided they are classified by the Australian Taxation Office as a primary producer. Depending on the nature of the disaster and the damage that has occurred, freight subsidies in disaster-declared areas, or where producers have an IDSP declaration, will be made available for the movement of materials such as: Emergency fodder Building, fencing materials, machinery and equipment movements Animals purchased for restocking Water Fuel A maximum distance of 1,000 kilometres applies. Main Assessment Criteria Individual primary producers suffering extensive property damage are invited to contact the Queensland Department of Primary Industries to arrange for an IDSP inspection by a Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) officer. Closing Information Applications for subsidies must be submitted to the Brisbane Head Office within six months of the movement. Name: Department of Primary Industries Phone: callweb@dpi.qld.gov.au Web:

22 20 National Flood Assistance Programs Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Assistance Primary Producers Primary Producers Funding Amount: Loan up to $250,000 The purpose of assistance under the scheme is to assist in meeting the needs of primary producers affected by an eligible natural disaster of substantial magnitude, to recover from the disaster. Applicants who are eligible include, but are not limited to, those who are: In working occupation of their property. Have used up all liquid assets and normal credit sources to normal credit limits. Considered viable with the assistance provided. Have taken reasonable precautions to minimise or prevent the disaster. Finance can be obtained for requirements including the following: Restocking Replanting, restoring or re-establishing affected areas Sustenance Essential property operations Payment of rent or rates, or costs of repair Replacement of farm buildings Name: QRAA Phone: Web:

23 National Flood Assistance Programs 21 Exceptional Circumstances (Interest Subsidies) Primary Producers Primary Producers Funding Amount: Up to $100,000 Subsidies will assist affected primary producers if, had exceptional circumstances not happened, the primary production enterprises carried on by the producers would have long term prospects of profitability and sustainability. It will assist affected primary producers to recover from the effects of these exceptional circumstances. The support will facilitate one or more of the following strategies: Improvements in productivity, including for recovery purposes. The provision of carry-on finance. Debt restructuring. Interest rate subsidies are provided at up to 50% of the interest payable on new and existing loans for the first year of an Exceptional Circumstance declaration and at up to 80% in the second and subsequent years. The applicant must: Occupy the land and spend at least 75% of the their labour and obtain at least 50% of the their income, from the enterprise. Have been a primary producer for at least two years. Demonstrate that the enterprise is in financial difficulty because of the exceptional circumstances Have a business assessment of the enterprise carried out by a suitably qualified assessor to be eligible to receive a cumulative total of $300,000 or more to demonstrate that the enterprise is viable. Applications for 2011 are currently open to organisations in the following areas of Queenslands Gulf Region: Carpentaria Shire south of the Norman River, the Carron River and Rocky Creek, and east of M Creek, north of the Burketown Road and east of the McAllister Mail Run and the Burke Development Road, and Croydon Shire west of the Pelham and Richmond Roads. Main Assessment Criteria Please contact administrator to begin the application process. Closing Information Applications for assistance in Queenslands Gulf Region has two periods for funding submissions. The First Period closes on 9 February 2011, and the Second Period closes on 15 June Name: Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation Phone: contact_us@qraa.qld.gov.au Web:

24 22 National Flood Assistance Programs Drought Recovery Scheme Primary Producers Now available to primary production enterprises affected by the recent floods Funding Amount: Loan up to $200,000 The objective of the scheme is to assist primary producers who are carrying on primary production enterprises in drought affected areas to recover from the impacts of the drought. The purpose of support is to enable applicants to: Plant or invigorate crops by assisting them to buy chemicals, fertiliser, fuel, seed or seedlings (crop materials). Restock by assisting to purchase stock. To be eligible, an applicant must: Own or occupy land, and carry on a primary production enterprise on the land, in a drought affected area. Demonstrate that the current net value of the land is not greater than $2 million. Demonstrate that they occupy the land and spend the majority of their labour on the primary production enterprise: a) as a leaseholder, owner or sharefarmer. b) as a member or employee or a company, trust or partnership. Ordinarily obtain the major source of income from the enterprise. Have sound prospects for commercial viability, and the ability to service the loan, in the long term. Have exhausted all liquid assets and lines of credit QRAA considers suitable. Demonstrate a financial need for the assistance. QRAA can provide the financial assistance needed to cover the costs associated with these activities, including the purchase of: Seed Seedlings Chemicals Fertiliser Fuel These loans can also assist with the purchase of breeding stock or other livestock to enable post drought restocking. Closing Information Applications for Drought Recovery Loans are to be received by QRAA by 30 June Name: QRAA Phone: contact_us@qraa.qld.gov.au Web:

25 National Flood Assistance Programs 23 Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements Queensland Local Councils This program aims to help councils restore local infrastructure in the wake of a natural disaster. Queensland local councils are eligible to apply. Restore public assets to their pre-disaster standard as quickly as possible, so that people in affected areas can get on with rebuilding their lives. Main Assessment Criteria Where Councils use regular Council workers to undertake emergent or restorative works, the wages for this work are not eligible under the NDDRA guidelines. This includes normal salaries and wages for Council staff on the permanent payroll. Only extraordinary costs beyond these standard salaries or wages are eligible and can continue to be claimed under NDRRA. This includes costs such as overtime and allowances of Council staff, backfilling staff deployed to response operations, and engagement of consultants, contractors, or commercial entities. Name: Department of Infrastructure and Planning Phone: localgovernment@dlgp.qld.gov.au Web:

26 24 National Flood Assistance Programs 4. New South Wales Natural Disaster Relief Scheme Household Contents and Structural Repairs Individuals The program provides disaster relief grants to eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household items have been destroyed or damaged by a natural disaster. People with limited financial resources and no insurance may be eligible for assistance for essential household items and structural repairs to the home. 1. Structural Repairs Assistance may be provided to make essential structural repairs to a principal place of residence. The principal place of residence is the home where lived at most of the time. Assistance is not provided for repairs to other areas of the property, such as damage to fences, pools, sheds or garages. 2. Household Contents Eligible essential household items are those required for normal daily life, such as bedding and essential electrical items (e.g. refrigerator, washing machine, stove). Applications are accepted on a case by case basis and there is no definitive minimum or maximum amount of funding available. To be eligible for assistance you must: Be a low-income earner and meet an income and assets test. Demonstrate that the affected home is your principal place of residence. Not be covered by insurance. Be able to demonstrate that the damage was caused by the disaster. Lodge the application within four months of the disaster occurring. Closing Information Applications will be accepted up to four months after the date of the disaster damaged. Name: Community Services Phone: Web:

27 National Flood Assistance Programs 25 Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Stamp Duty Relief) Motor Vehicles All Stamp duty relief may be provided on the replacement of motor vehicles written off due to loss caused by a declared disaster. The amount of assistance is a refund of duty payable, or the lower of either of the following: The stamp duty paid on the replacement of a vehicle that has been written off due to a declared disaster. The insurance excess payment for the vehicle that has been written off where the stamp duty of the replacement vehicle is covered by insurance. Once approved, the Office of State Revenue will reimburse by cheque the amount of duty paid. Vehicle owners (private and commercial). For the owner to be eligible for assistance, the vehicle must be comprehensively insured and written off due to damage caused by a declared disaster that occurs in NSW. Repayment may only be made for duty paid in NSW. Main Assessment Criteria Refunds may be provided for up to five years after the date of payment of the stamp duty on a replacement vehicle. Closing Information Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Name: The Office of State Revenue Phone: Web:

28 26 National Flood Assistance Programs Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants) Small Businesses Small Business Funding Amount: Up to $15,000 To provide grants to small businesses which have suffered direct damage as a result of the November December 2010 and January 2011 flooding in New South Wales, for clean-up, removal of debris and restoration to assist business to continue or commence trading. This grant is not intended to replace the need for insurance, and is not intended to provide compensation for losses. All claims for assistance will be assessed on a case by case basis. Eligible small businesses which have suffered direct damage and which: Have less than 20 full time (or equivalent) employees. Are a registered business, partnership or sole trader. Have an Australian Business Number (ABN). Have suffered direct damage to their premises and/or tools of trade (e.g. equipment/ plant) and the essential cost of repair or replacement are the applicant s responsibility. Are intending to re-establish within the Disaster Declared Local Government Area. Were conducting business in the Disaster Declared Local Government Area prior to and including the date of the event, or are business enterprises in the development phase (e.g. premises being prepared but trading had not yet commenced). The recovery grant is designed to cover the cost of clean-up and restoration to assist small businesses which have suffered direct damage as a result of a natural disaster, to enable businesses to continue or commence trading as soon as possible where the impact on the sector has been particularly severe, also to assist with the costs of relocation to temporary premises in cases where immediate re-opening of damaged premises is not possible. Closing Date: Name: NSW Rural Assistance Authority Phone: Web:

29 National Flood Assistance Programs 27 Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Loans) Small Business and Primary Producers Small Business & Primary Producers Funding Amount: Loan up to $130,000 This assistance is available to primary producers and small business operators in NSW who are in a declared natural disaster area and have been affected by flood/fire/storm damage or any other declared natural disaster. Funding by way of a loan is available for essential working capital the amount required to continue farming operations for the next 12 months from the date of the disaster or until the next major income is received. Replacement and repair of damage caused to the property and associated improvements not covered by insurance. Assistance does not cover costs unrelated to the farming enterprise or commitments overdue at the time of the disaster, such as; trading accounts, lease or hire purchase instalments, interest on borrowings or loan repayments. To be eligible you must: Earn the majority of your GROSS income from primary production. Be in working occupation of the farm. Conduct your farming activities on a rural property within a Local Government Area that has been declared a natural disaster. Be in urgent and genuine need of financial assistance. (NOTE: In assessing this criteria the Authority will take into account all cash reserves, investments, undrawn overdraft balances plus loans with redraw facilities) Demonstrate that if the required assistance were obtained commercially, your farming enterprise would be placed in financial difficulty. Demonstrate that your farming enterprise has long-term viability. Demonstrate that your farming enterprise has the capacity to repay the loan sought. Provide security, acceptable to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority. Lodge an application within six months of the date of the natural disaster. Name: NSW Rural Assistance Authority Phone: Web:

30 28 National Flood Assistance Programs Natural Disaster Relief Scheme (Recovery Grants) Primary Producers Primary Producers Funding Amount: Up to $15,000 The scheme provides grants to primary producers who have suffered direct damage as a result of the November December 2010 and January 2011 flooding in New South Wales, for clean-up, removal of debris, disposal of dead livestock and further restoration. This grant is not intended to replace the need for insurance, and is not intended to provide compensation for losses such as destroyed crops. All claims for assistance will be assessed on a case by case basis. Eligible primary producers who have suffered direct damage and who: Have a right or interest in the land used for the purpose of a farm enterprise. Derive the majority of their individual gross income from the farm enterprise. Are registered with the Australian Taxation Office as a primary producer, and have an Australian Business Number (ABN). Have suffered direct damage as a result of November December 2010 and January 2011 flooding in New South Wales. This may be damage to farm buildings, crops, pasture, stock, fencing and/or tools of trade (e.g. equipment/plant) and the essential cost of repair or replacement are the applicant s responsibility. Were conducting a primary production business in a Disaster Declared Local Government Area prior to and including the date of the event. Have established or are intending to re-establish the primary production enterprise. Eligible primary producers can be individuals, partnerships, trusts or companies, operating commercially. Eligible costs for primary producers include damage to: Farm buildings Crops and/or pastures Livestock husbandry needs and/or removal of dead stock Fodder purchases Fencing Equipment and/or plant Infrastructure Closing Date: 30 June 2011 Name: NSW Rural Assistance Authority Phone: Web:

31 National Flood Assistance Programs 29 Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Transport Subsidies) Primary Producers Primary Producers Funding Amount: Up to $15,000 Applicants can apply for transport subsidies of up to 50% on the carriage of livestock and fodder, to a maximum of $15,000. Primary producers are eligible to apply. Applications can be made to claim a rebate on: Road Transport of stock. Road Transport of fodder. Road Transport from agistment. Name: NSW Department of Primary Industries Phone: Web:

32 30 National Flood Assistance Programs Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme (Loans) Not-for-Profit Organisations Not-for-profit organisations Funding Amount: Loan up to $25,000 Loans with terms of up to five years at a concessional fixed rate may be provided to not-for-profit (NFP) organisations for the restoration of essential facilities, equipment or other assets damaged or destroyed as a direct result of a declared disaster. These funds may also be directed towards temporary storage or leasing of alternate premises. NFP voluntary community supported organisations with services delivered at the local level. The NFP must not operate for the profit or gain of its individual members and any profit made by the organisation goes back into the operation of the organisation to carry out its purpose and is not distributed to any of its members. An NFP must demonstrate all of the following: Evidence of registration or incorporation as an NFP. The NFP must have suffered damage to facilities or equipment or other assets arising directly from a declared disaster event. The NFP does not have the financial capacity to pay the costs from its own funds or reserves. The NFP must satisfy the coordinating agency that it has the financial capacity to repay the loan. Name: NSW Treasury Phone: Web:

33 National Flood Assistance Programs 31 Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme Sporting Clubs Sporting Clubs Funding Amount: Up to $12,000 A special scheme is available to assist sporting clubs in meeting the costs of restoration of essential club facilities that have been damaged or destroyed. The assistance is made available to those clubs which do not have the financial capacity to meet restoration costs from their own resources, but which have the capacity to repay any loan that may be granted. Under these arrangements the maximum assistance available is $12,000, including a grant of up to $2,000 and the balance (up to maximum of $10,000) in repayable loan with interest at the rate of 2.77 % per annum. Claims must be lodged within six months of the declared disaster event. Sporting and recreation clubs and associations. The range of sporting and recreational clubs that are eligible is broad. If there is uncertainty about the status of an applicant, Treasury may contact the Department of Arts, Sport and Recreation to request supporting documents or request further documentation from the applicant to support its status. This finance is available to those unable to obtain assistance through normal channels. To be eligible, a club must be in a situation where it has incurred costs as a result of the disaster, which are not recoverable through insurance, and it does not have the financial capacity to pay the costs from its own funds or reserves. Name: NSW Treasury Phone: Web:

34 32 National Flood Assistance Programs 5. Victoria Personal Hardship Grants Emergency Grant Individuals Funding Amount: Up to $1,067 Emergency Grants provide assistance to meet immediate basic needs only and are designed to cover expenses such as clothing, food, personal items, appropriate shelter and specific one-off transport costs. They are available to people who have had their principal place of residence affected by an emergency, either through damages or loss of property. The amount of each Emergency Grant is based on need. The maximum household entitlement is $1,067. This is calculated at a maximum of $427 per adult and $213 per child. Emergency Grants are discretionary payments, and although they are not income tested, they are based on the needs of the applicant which must be demonstrated through an assessment process. They are also intended for incidents of a particular nature. Needs eligible for Emergency Grants include: Temporary accommodation. Food. Clothing. Items necessary for health and hygiene. Essential personal items. Repair to structure or essential items (refrigerator, clothing, bedding etc). Incidents eligible for Emergency Grants can include: Bushfires Single household fires Floods Severe windstorms Earthquakes Name: Department of Human Services Phone: (03) Web: