Dear Members,

If you have specific questions about your situation, we encourage you to talk with an expert for advice on your business’s viability and other options you might not have considered.

The Partners in Wellbeing helpline (1300 375 330) is a great resource that offers free access to qualified business advisors who can help you to address critical challenges in your business including in relation to risk management.

Yours sincerely,

Brendan Tohill | Chief Executive Officer
VANA – Victorian Authorised Newsagents Association
NLNA – National Lotteries Newsagents Association

Dear Members,

Click here to download a copy of the presentation that was shared during the Victorian Flood Emergency Roundtable meeting, where you can find some information about the Victorian Government Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Grant (One-off $5,000 payment that can be used to cover expenses arising from damage caused from flooding to the place of business, business assets, stock, or equipment).

For additional information please visit vic.gov.au/october-2022-flood-recovery

Yours sincerely,

Brendan Tohill | Chief Executive Officer
VANA – Victorian Authorised Newsagents Association
NLNA – National Lotteries Newsagents Association

The flood situation in Victoria has quickly escalated over the last 48 hours.

If you are in immediate danger and require urgent assistance, dial 000.  If your home is about to flood call VICSES on 132 500.

If you require immediate relief assistance, please contact your local council. Please visit Home – Know Your Council.

Flood Recovery Hotline

Flood Recovery Hotline is a single state-wide number, 1800 560 760, that Victorians impacted by the October 2022 floods can call for help or assistance with:

• navigating available supports
• mental health and wellbeing support

The recovery hotline is open from 7.30am-7.30pm everday.

Relief Assistance

Emergency Relief Payment

Emergency financial assistance is available for community members whose homes have been impacted by the current flood emergency in Victoria to help them to meet their relief needs.

• If you think you may be eligible for an emergency relief payment, complete the online application form

Re-establishment Assistance

Re-establishment assistance is also available to households of limited financial means, whose principal place of residence (their home) is uninhabitable (damaged or destroyed) or is inaccessable for more than 7 days due to the recent Victorian flood emergency.

For information and support about the relief services that may be available to you, and to enquire about a re-establishment payment, please call the Flood Recovery Hotline 1800 560 760.

For more information on the Personal Hardship assistance program, visit Personal Hardship Assistance Program – DFFH Services

Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)

The Australian Government’s disaster recovery allowance is available from 2pm Sunday 16 October in the 23 Victorian LGAs of Alpine, Benalla, Buloke, Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Corangamite, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, Hepburn, Horsham, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Maribyrnong, Mitchell, Moira, Moonee Valley, Murrindindi, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Strathbogie and Wangaratta. Additional LGAs may be included as flood impacts emerge.

The disaster recovery allowance has been made available to assist employees and sole traders who experience a loss of income as a direct result of a major disaster and is payable for a maximum of 13 weeks. DRA is taxable.

Information about the payments, including all eligible local government areas is available at servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)

In addition, the one-off, non-means tested Australian government disaster recovery payment of $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for children is available to people who live in the Victorian LGAs of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Maribyrnong, Mitchell and Strathbogie who have suffered a significant loss as a result of the floods, including, a severely damaged or destroyed home or a serious injury. Additional LGAs may be included as flood impacts emerge.

• Equivalent financial assistance will also be available for eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visas, subclass 444 holders) affected by the floods.
• Information about the payments, including all eligible local government areas is available at servicesaustralia.gov.au/disasterevents

Emergency Relief Centres

As at 1400hrs – Sunday 16 October 2022

For more information and support contact numbers, please visit www.vic.gov.au

We trust the above information is helpful. Stay safe everyone and we will send out further updates as they come to hand.

Regards,

Marissa Williamson | HR and Business Executive
NLNA – National Lotteries and Newsagents Association