SA USTHAI+
FOR PRESS 15 FEBRUARY 1977
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AID FOR VICTORIAN BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
The Federal Government will provide direct and significant
assistance to families hit following last weekend's serious
bushfires in Western Victoria.
The Federal Government will assist in four key areas. The
Government will:
Meet the full cost of the disposal and burial
of dead and maimed stock
Provide special funds for replacement of boundary
fences along highways and railway lines
Provide loans of up to $ 15,000 to help meet the
difference between insurance cover and the
replacement cost of property
Remove a State Government restriction that specifies
the transport of fodder by road is not subsidised
if it comes within 40 miles of the disaster area.
A senior officer from the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet held discussions with State officials on the spot on
Saturday ( February 12) so that unnecessary red tape could be
avoided.
The Government has been concerned that aid gets to the area
quickly, without fuss and without delay. This is being done,
and agreement has been reached with the Government of Victoria.
The Hamilton office of Telecom have been working round the clock
to repair lines and . nstal phones in many areas.
Four field officers from the Hamilton office of the Department
of Social Security including a social worker have also been
in Streatham and are providing much needed assistance in that
district.
I wish to pay special tribute to the firefighters and relief
workers who worked tirelessly over the weekend to comb-at the
bushfire. / Background
2
Background The Commonwealth has a major role in the relief of
natural disasters.
It provides funds for the immediate relief of personal
hardship and distress at a dollar for dollar basis with
the State Government. It also meets all State expenditure
necessitated by major disasters in excess of a set figure
which in the case of Victoria is $ 3.5 million a year.
As well as personal hardship and distress, disaster relief
covers grants for the restoration of Government, local
Government and semi-Governmental assets and facilities.
It also covers loan assistance on concessional terms
for primary producers to enable them to get back into
operation.