Victoria Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty

Damaged Sports Clubs Eligible For Flood Grants

Victor P Taffa

Victorian Sport and Recreation Clubs heavily impacted upon by the January floods will be able to apply for grants of up to $5,000 under the Victorian Coalition Government’s Floods Community Recovery Fund (CRF), Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said today.

“The Heavy Rain in Victoria over January created a flood crisis not seen for over 100 years and in some areas these were the worst floods experienced in history.” Mr. Delahunty said.

“In February I visited several communities where sporting facilities were affected by floods including Carisbrook, Newbridge, Bridgewater and Charlton.”

“Squash courts, bowling greens, swimming pools, walking trails, recreation reserves and clubrooms were among the many sport and recreation facilities severely damaged by the deluges.”

“Sport is the heart and soul of Regional Communities and therefore the sooner our sport and recreation facilities can be repaired the better.” Mr. Delahunty said.

“Sport and recreation groups can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to help with immediate recovery activities under a small grants program which is part of the jointly funded State and Federal Government $4 Million Floods Community Recovery Fund.”

“I encourage those groups affected to apply quickly as the smaller grant has a closing date of 22nd March.”

“There is no doubt this funding will help restore damaged sports pavilions, change rooms and equipment – and community spirit.” Mr. Delahunty said.

For information about the Floods Community Recovery Fund and how to access funding, visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au or call Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 to be put in touch with your DPCD regional Representative.

Victoria Deputy Premier Peter Ryan

Victoria Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan

Coalition Announces Funding To Help Flood-Ravaged Communities Rebuild

Victor P Taffa

Local Councils and Community Groups heavily impacted upon by the January floods will have immediate access to funding announced today by the Victorian Coalition Government.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Emergency Services Peter Ryan said $1.55 Million would be available for communities seriously affected by the January deluge under the $4 Million Floods Community Recovery Fund (CRF), jointly established by the State and Commonwealth Governments.

“Sixteen Local Councils will receive $50,000 each in this first round of funding, to rebuild social networks and restore valuable community facilities.” Mr. Ryan said.

Municipalities most impacted upon by the devastating floods are:

• Ararat,
• Buloke,
• Campaspe,
• Central Goldfields,
• Corangamite,
• Gannawarra,
• Hepburn,
• Hindmarsh,
• Horsham,
• Loddon,
• Mildura,
• Mount Alexander,
• Northern Grampians,
• Pyrenees,
• Swan Hill,
• Yarriambiack.

“Community groups in all areas affected by the January floods can also apply for grants of up to $5,000 under a small grants program set up under the CRF to help with immediate recovery activities.” Mr. Ryan said.

Mr. Ryan said the $4 Million Floods CRF, to which the State and Commonwealth governments each contributed $2 Million, supplemented other available funding and would provide further financial support to help flood-affected communities get back on their feet.

“CRF funding will help restore damaged community facilities such as community centres, sports pavilions and local halls.” Mr. Ryan said.

“The funding will also help flood-affected communities rebuild through community events, information distribution, skills development activities, or recording the flood event as part of community history.”

Mr. Ryan said the remaining $2.45 Million of the CRF would be allocated as the full extent of flood damage was further assessed.

Regional staff from Victoria’s Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) will be available to assist local councils, community groups and peak bodies to identify possible recovery projects.

The closing date for community groups applying for CRF grants of up to $5,000 is 22 March 2011.

For more information about the Floods Community Recovery Fund and how to access funding, visit the Department of Planning and Community Development’s website at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au or call Information Victoria on 1300 366 356 to be put in touch with your DPCD regional representative.

For other floods funding information, visit the Department of Human Services website www.dhs.vic.gov.au

Other municipalities impacted by the January floods will be considered for funding under future funding provided through the Floods Community Recovery Fund.

Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu

Assistance Available To Flood-Affected Communities

Victor P Taffa

A full summary of the assistance packages available for individuals, businesses, councils and community groups is provided below.

Victorians are advised to check their own insurance cover before seeking grants.

The Australian Red Cross has established a Victorian Flood Appeal with the Coalition Government to support individuals, families and communities in areas affected by the 2011 Victorian floods.

The community is urged to donate money to the Red Cross Appeal by calling: 1800 811 700 or visiting the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.au

Telephone: 1800 811 700

Website: www.redcross.org.au

The Coalition Government is providing an initial $1 Million contribution to this fund.

Assistance To Flood-Affected Communities Page 1

Assistance To Flood-Affected Communities Page 2

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff

State’s Farmers Left Devastated As Government Fails To Act

Victor P Taffa

“Following extensive flooding and excessive rain in many areas of the state over the past week, in particular the North, North East and North West, I will be meeting with farmers on affected farms to gain a true insight as to the extent of financial impact on their operations and hear first hand their concerns about the flood recovery process.” Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff said today.

“I have been talking with farmers today across the North, North East and North West and many Tasmanian farmers have been hit devastatingly hard, with millions of dollars worth of crops and infrastructure destroyed.”

“The fact that some council’s are reporting hundreds of thousands or over a million dollars worth of damage also needs to be put into perspective.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“The reality is that individual farm businesses have lost up to or more than a million dollars in production alone, not to mention the cleanup costs.”

“The multiplier effect for our rural and regional economies of excessive rain and flooding when you include loss of production beyond the farm gate will be on a massive scale.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“From my discussions with farmers today, the North-East has been hit excessively hard and I will be meeting with farmers in that region tomorrow.”

“The State Government simply cannot afford to underestimate the gravity situation.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“Tasmanians need a Government that is prepared to listen and act in a crisis situation, and so far, David Bartlett and his Labor-Green Government have failed to grasp the seriousness of the financial crisis facing many farmers and the flow on effects to rural and regional communities and the Tasmanian economy in general.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Western Australia Minister for Emergency Services Rob Johnson

WA Helps Victims Of Devastating Queensland Floods

Victor P Taffa

A Highly Specialised Team of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Personnel from Western Australia’s Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) have been deployed to Queensland to help with the devastating effects of the floods.

Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson said WA had been prepared since the disaster started to extend help and assistance to the People of Queensland.

“Yesterday, WA was asked by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, through the Federal Government, to send USAR assistance, and overnight FESA deployed four USAR technicians to Queensland.” Mr. Johnson said.

“The WA team will be working as part of a composite team with the Northern Territory, South Australian, Victorian and Tasmanian personnel conducting building assessments or other tasks as required.”

“Our USAR capability can be called upon to rescue casualties trapped by buildings, landfall or slippage as a result of the flood.” Mr. Johnson said.

The Minister said WA was always ready and willing to contribute resources to other States during an emergency.

Mr. Johnson said at least three-quarters of Queensland had been ravaged in the past three weeks by what had been described as one of the worst floods on record.

“Our Emergency Services teams are on standby if further assistance is required.” Mr. Johnson said.

“I know that the people of WA are concerned for the people of Queensland and our hearts go out to all the families who have lost loved ones in these difficult times.”

“While there is no doubt that there will be a long road to recovery, I am sure the strong spirit of Queensland will never be broken and WA will do whatever we can to help the State to get back on its feet.” Mr. Johnson said.

The State Government yesterday announced it would donate $1 Million on behalf of all West Australians to support the Queensland Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal.

Queensland Opposition Leader John-Paul Langbroek

Flood Assistance Must Be Fast Tracked And Boosted

Victor P Taffa

The State Opposition is calling for flood recovery assistance to be fast tracked and boosted.

State Opposition and LNP Leader John-Paul Langbroek said many Queenslanders had lost everything and had their livelihoods wiped out for at least a year, maybe longer.

“These are the worst and most widespread floods Queensland has seen in at least half a century and the damage bill will be enormous, potentially Billions of Dollars.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“This is not a normal flood, the normal disaster relief measures won’t be enough to fix this. Affected individuals and communities are going to need unprecedented levels of support to get back on their feet.”

Mr. Langbroek said he could understand Queenslanders’ anger that $1 Million was all that had been committed by the State Government so far over and above normal disaster relief measures.

“A Million Dollars is half of what Anna Bligh and Labor spent on brochures promoting their Privatisation Program.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“I congratulate Queenslanders who are digging deep for the emergency relief appeal, and I would encourage everyone to keep donating whatever they can in these tough times.”

“The State and Federal Governments need to dig deep too and they need to explain what assistance is available to businesses and individuals affected by this historic flood disaster and what will be available in the future.”

“It is also vitally important the State Government ensures that unnecessary paperwork and cumbersome bureaucracy doesn’t delay the flow of urgently needed assistance.”

Mr. Langbroek said one additional support measure the State Government could provide was fodder drops to help ensure stranded livestock don’t starve.

“Obviously people come first and helicopters are needed for evacuations, but there is a looming animal welfare issue in central and southern Queensland that will have to be addressed. Cattle will die if they are not fed soon.” Mr. Langbroek said.

“Fodder drops from helicopters have been done in the past, but I understand some councils have had requests for fodder drops denied. I would urge the State Government to reconsider and provide fodder drops as soon as is practical.” Mr. Langbroek said.

The Assistance Package Announced by New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally for Queensland has been invisible and deafening.

Instead of taking a Real Leadership Position and Postpone the New Year’s Eve Fireworks until Australia Day 2011 the usual response from the NSW Labor Government is to Publicly denigrate Victor P Taffa.  The New South Wales Government sought to Publicly isolate and financially starve Victor P Taffa since 2007 and he was forced by the Labor Party to sell his home in 2002.

Rather than take Pro-Active Action The New South Wales Labor Government has spent all of its efforts to destroy the life of Victor P Taffa through the NSW Police, NSW Health and any other possible mechanism because of support for Railway Expansion.

1 January 2011 represents about 84 Days till the 26 March 2011 Election and the defeat of the most corrupt, bigoted, racist, homophobic and incompetent Government in the History of New South Wales cannot come soon enough.

Continuing to Live in New South Wales has become completely untenable and a totally unenjoyable Place to stay.

Finding a suitable lawyer to sue the New South Wales Government and the Former Labor Member for Ryde for false imprisonment of Victor P Taffa is under consideration. Victor P Taffa was also ‘hung out to dry’ by everyone else in New South Wales.

Instead of any real desire to improve anything by successive NSW Labor Premier’s and Minister’s Victor P Taffa has been made to be seen as Public Enemy No.1 by these People and Railway Expansion Plans over 16 Years constantly abandoned.

Moving to Victoria for a new career and a new life is the only real way that Sanity will return to the life of Victor P Taffa.

Victoria Shadow Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell

BRUMBY SHOULD FULLY SUPPORT COUNCILS TO REBUILD AFTER FLOODS

Victor P Taffa

The Brumby Government should consult with Local Councils affected by the September floods and immediately provide full support and assistance to rebuild damaged roads, bridges and other public assets, Shadow Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell said today.

“Victoria’s 15 Flood-Affected Councils are struggling to cope with the enormous financial task of replacing and rebuilding damaged assets.” Mrs. Powell said.

“Works include repairing flood-damaged roads, repairing and replacing damaged and collapsed bridges, replacing road barriers, removing trees and clearing drains.”

Mrs. Powell said the Millions of Dollars being spent by Local Councils on Emergency Works was not budgeted, and therefore caused concern among some affected Councils.

“Just like on bushfire safety measures and roadside weed control, John Brumby is loading up councils with extra responsibilities but not providing them with the money they need.” Mrs. Powell said.

“The current emergency and recovery efforts are putting a huge dent in council budgets and councils need urgent support from the Brumby Government.”

“Many flood-affected councils do not have the economic capacity or resources to complete the recovery effort on their own, and they need to know how much compensation they will receive from the Brumby Government and when they will receive it.”

VIC Shadow Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell

Mrs. Powell said councils faced serious long-term financial sustainability issues after having their resources sapped by a decade of drought and the terrible bushfires of 2009.

“John Brumby must step in and provide the support and assistance these councils need to repair their Public Infrastructure.” Mrs. Powell said.