SORELL/TASMAN Recovery News Edition 5: 25 March 2013

Welcome to Recovery News. This newsletter will provide those affected by the recent bushfires with practical information and advice. There will be future editions providing updates as required.

Victorian volunteers repay the favour When mother of 12 Megan Edwards returned to the fire- “Today, that same kindness is coming back to us,” Marian ravaged site of her family home in January, she didn’t know said. “It’s a great thing to know that people do care, and if she and her husband David had the strength to start that whatever good you do in this world comes back to again. But standing on her Murdunna block last week, where you ten-fold.” a small army of Victorian Rotary volunteers was erecting a shed and the fence for a new orchard, Megan said the family could again see a future.

“For the first time we’re starting to say maybe and yes…,” Megan said, “That’s what this support means to us. It’s brought us a step closer to our new start.”

The Edwards’ home was the first stop for a host of volunteer Rotarian workers from the Hazelwood Rotary Club, the Traralgon South Community, and the Callignee, Woori Yallock, It’s a step closer to a new start for Megan and David Edwards, with Churchill, Warburton, and Morwell areas of Victoria. their children Sarie-Anne, Uriah, Jasmine, Lilly, Nekoda, Seth, Willow and Emma-Lee. (Tammy, Eli, Simeon and Bridgit are absent). Photo by Marian Larner, a past president and now the Publicity Officer Coralie Walker, Canberra. for Tasman Rotary Club, said the Victorians phoned and In this edition: offered their support within days of the January bushfires. Victorian volunteers repay the favour...... 1 Rebuild and Rebound - community grants open “As a result we have at least five teams of 10 volunteers for your ideas…...... 2 eager to travel across from Victoria to provide free labour Do you have photos of the bushfire or its aftermath for whatever projects are needed within the fire-affected that you’d like to share?...... 2 communities,” Marian said. Win tickets to North Melbourne vs Sydney...... 2 Spotlight shines on clean-up milestone...... 3 “Some people need stables rebuilt, others want sheds, STAARC - Here to Help...... 4 and still others require help with internal yards. We want Students settling into temporary school...... 4 the community to know that as soon as you have your Dunalley Hotel Bushfire Account...... 4 materials available, Rotary has the volunteer manpower to Grass seeds protect farms and oysters...... 5 complete your job.” Would you like to join a Men’s Shed?...... 5 Help - volunteers required...... 5 A friendship with the Victorians was established in the Threads of friendship arrive from Alice Springs...... 6 months following their 2009 bushfires. Marian knew from her Working bee organised for Connellys Marsh beach...6 experience with the Port Arthur shootings that six months Free financial advice...... 6 down the track, victims are sometimes unfairly told that they Introducing our Active Partners...... 7 should be moving on. It’s a critical time; depression can set in Social workers: Helping individuals, families and the if people are not supported. So in mid-2009 Marian helped community...... 7 organise free holidays on the Tasman Peninsula for fire- Remain alert for scammers...... 7 affected people from the Traralgon and Gippsland regions. Storage Solutions...... 8 Rebuild and Rebound - community grants open for your ideas… Community grants are being made Community workshops are being The first round will be for small available for projects that YOU decide organised for the weeks commencing projects to a maximum of $15,000, will best help to rebuild and revitalise 15 April and 13 May (at various with applications closing at 5.00pm fire-affected communities in the Sorell locations and times, to be announced). on Friday, 12 April 2013. Round Two and Tasman regions. These will help to bring people will be for small and large projects, together to discuss their ideas and get with applications closing at 5.00pm on The purpose of the Tasmanian Bushfire a sense of community priorities. John Friday, 31 May 2013. Appeal Community Assistance Grants and other Community Liaison staff will is to fund projects that are identified also be talking informally to groups and “The expressions of interest will be as priorities by the community. And individuals as opportunities come up. assessed for eligibility by a community- to ensure this decision-making process based committee and will then go is led by the community, the Sorell/ So who can apply? It’s strongly through a process of ranking by the Tasman Affected Area Recovery recommended that you connect with community,” John said. “This process Committee (STAARC) is holding a community group, STAARC, or aims to ensure that final projects are in workshops and consultations over your local council to ensure that your line with community views. the coming weeks, as well as inviting proposal reflects local priorities and feedback from surveys. meets eligibility criteria. Applicants “A list of all eligible projects, in order must demonstrate a capacity to of ranking, will then be submitted John Harkin, Manager of Community complete the proposed project or to the STAARC, which will in turn Recovery in the Bushfire Recovery program and: make recommendations to the Unit, said the grants are an important • apply on behalf of an incorporated Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal Distribution step in getting the peninsula back on its body Committee for funding arrangements.” feet again. • have the support of an incorporated organisation. For more information, go to: “We are interested in hearing about www.bushfirerecovery.tas.gov.au ideas that will contribute to recovery,” The period for submitting expressions John said. “These initiatives always of interest in the grants will be held To discuss your ideas or to ensure your work best when individuals, community over two rounds. Expression of Interest addresses the groups and organisations collaborate selection criteria, contact: to develop and deliver projects together, so we’ll be working hard to Sakura Oddie on 0438 204 604 help with this.” John Harkin on 0409 365 067

WIN! WIN! Do you have photos of the RESERVED SEATING TICKETS TO bushfire or its aftermath that you’d like to share? NORTH MELBOURNE vs SYDNEY We welcome your contributions and are keen to publish 13 APRIL AT BLUNDSTONE ARENA some in our newsletter, on our website or in other 15 double passes are up for grabs. publications coming up such as the Recovery Plan. You have to be in it to win it, so fill out your If you’re interested, please email entry form and place it in the box at the Dunalley, [email protected], and we can send you Murdunna or Sorell Information and Service Hub an “Acknowledgement of use of image form” to fill out before 10 April. and return with your snaps.

2 Recovery News Spotlight shines on clean-up milestone Whoops … correction Within days of receiving State-wide Residents can call Hazell Bros' We made a mistake in our last edition news coverage as the 100th property dedicated number 0439 367 192 of Recovery News. The figures owners to have their bushfire-ravaged during business hours to enquire about included in the article about the block cleared, Judy and Noel Young the clean-up schedule. You can also visit opening of the Murdunna Playground were recognised by a stranger. the Bushfire Recovery Unit website were incorrect. The correct www.bushfirerecovery.tas.gov.au to information is: “We were looking at new garages view a map containing provisional when a woman said to us that we’ve timeframes for all properties to be The play area at the Murdunna Rest become media stars,” said Judy. cleaned up by Hazell Bros. Stop was the result of a superb community effort, including funding “I’m certainly not used to being Property owners who are yet to from the Tasman Op Shop and recognised by anyone – although on register their property for clean-up Library ($8,000), the the day of the clean-up, when all of the should contact the Bushfire Recovery ($8,000) and the State Government media were around me, it did cross my Unit on 1800 567 567. ($4,700). mind that this is what movie stars do.

“It’s given us all a good laugh, especially the grandkids. But deep down the clean- up is mostly closure for Noel and I. Life is a journey and we followed a path for the past 40 years; now we’re on another path and about to start a new chapter.”

The work on Judy and Noel’s Dunalley block received a lot of attention because it was a milestone in the Hazell Bros clean-up, but the good news is that all 307 registered properties should be completed by the end of April. And to help residents navigate the next leg of this journey (the design and rebuilding process), work is being completed on a guide, Judy and Noel Young, Levi Causon and Premier Lara Giddings said Bushfire Recovery Coordinator Michael Stevens. Clean-up statistics "By providing an overview of the steps Number of people registered and eligible for clean up 375 required during the various stages of rebuilding, we hope to help residents Number of uninsured properties referred to liaison officers 50 save time and potentially money," Michael said. Number of properties referred to insurance companies 255 Number of consents sent to Hazell Bros 304 "If you’re still waiting for your property to be cleaned up, it's an opportunity Total properties cleared by Hazell Bros 105 to seek advice about whether there is as at 4.00pm 18 March 2013 a better way of rebuilding on your site and to talk to your local council about what approvals you'll need." Clean-up information To register for the clean-up call the Bushfire Recovery Unit on1800 567 567.

Once you have registered for the clean-up and signed your consent form, call Hazell Bros on 0439 367 192 for information on when your property may be cleared (during business hours).

Recovery News 3 STAARC - Here to Help The Sorell Tasman Affected Area Recovery Committee economic and environmental elements. This (STAARC) has been set up to assist the community in includes arrangements for appeal administration and managing the long term recovery from the January 2013 disbursement of funds. bushfires. STAARC is co-chaired by the Mayor of the Sorell STAARC represents the community and provides feedback Council, Kerry Vincent and the Mayor of Tasman Council, about needs to the Bushfire Recovery Unit and Taskforce, Jan Barwick, and includes representatives from local so that the necessary assistance can be provided to government, various State Government Departments, the support the recovery and rebuilding process. Red Cross and community representatives.

The committee draws together a number of recovery If you have ideas, questions or want to share your vision for partners to provide a coordinated and planned process to the future of your community, contact the STAARC on address recovery needs, which includes: 6269 0000 or email: [email protected]. • providing ongoing opportunities for community participation and consultation • taking account of affected Councils’ long term planning goals • oversighting and coordinating activities to meet recovery needs related to social, infrastructure,

Students settling into temporary school When Dunalley schoolboy Oliver Bird heard that the local Primary School had burned down, he was distraught – he was so anxious about having to move to a new school that he vomited for two days and couldn’t sleep.

“So I wrote a letter to Mr McKim and told him how I was feeling,” Oliver said.

Oliver first met Nick McKim MP, the Minister for Education and Skills, when he came to Dunalley to look over the devastation.

“When I heard that we would be getting a temporary school and that I wouldn’t have to go away, I was so happy,” Oliver said. “And then, when I saw the workers getting ready to put in the temporary buildings, I felt heaps better about it. I watched it being built but didn’t think they could do it so Oliver Bird quickly in five weeks.”

Today Oliver is one of the 129 students enjoying the Dunalley Hotel Bushfire temporary school; everything is new, there are laptops Account for the children, and the touch-screen TV is a particular Bill Kidd and Deborah Drescher from the Dunalley Hotel favourite. On top of that, there are loads of containers of have set up a bank account for the donations received to donations and new resources being stored for when the assist the community in recovering from the bushfires. permanent school is finally built. Bill and Deborah will be taking registrations from the “I do miss the old school,” Oliver said. “I used to love doing middle of the year for community members requiring the maths games and my teacher had lots of great ones assistance. No members of the community will be – they were destroyed in the fire. But now, she has even discriminated against in the process, and all details will be better new ones.” kept strictly confidential, so be sure to include your details when the time comes.

4 Recovery News Grass seeds protect farms and oysters Several tonnes of specially-blended and Bob are experts in dry-land “There was already a lot green stuff grass seed have been sewn into fire- grasses and have come up with a blend bouncing back but it was nearly all affected Dunalley pastures to protect which allows for both short-term and weeds and ferns. Farmers can’t graze the viability of grazing properties and long-term pasture growth. Funding for stock until they have grass on the local oyster industries. the project was provided by the Rotary paddocks. Having the grass seed in the Club and Bendigo Bank, through Sorell ground now means, if all things are fair Mayor of , Kerry Vincent, and District Community Bank. Tasfreight and equal with Mother Nature, farmers said the barren ground left behind by donated the transport of the seed. can be back on track with growth in the January bushfires was in danger of their pastures later this year, and the producing heavy run-off if the region “We needed to get the seed in the oyster industry remains protected.” experienced substantial March rains – pastures by mid-March to make the run-off that would produce significant most of the warmth that was still in Peter Ball from the Tasmanian Institute erosion and also contaminate local the ground – and the Autumn rains,” of Agriculture has also been working waters. Kerry said. “If we left it much longer we with farmers on pasture rejuvenation. wouldn’t get the growth we needed “All of that silt in the run-off could before the grasses shut down for winter. potentially have shut down the oyster industry, which is one of the few Help - volunteers required industries in the region that is still functioning after the bushfires, ”Kerry BlazeAid has been going great guns in helping property owners with acreage to said. “Through a local farmers group we rebuild boundary fences, but they need your help. looked at ways we could get some grass seed in the ground to prevent runoff. ” They are seeking more volunteers as there is still a lot more work to be done. In the Sorell/Tasman area, there are about 40 properties that still require initial Through his family business, Rural work. Solutions , Kerry has direct contact with Robert Dent and Bob No experience is required. If you are interested, please call Eugene Ross on Reid from Tasglobal Seeds. Robert 0432 341 078 or at [email protected].

Would you like to join a Men’s Shed? Community meetings are being held in Dunalley to gauge So what are the benefits of these sheds? levels of enthusiasm for a local Men’s Shed. “After more than five years with Men’s Sheds Tasmania, I’ve never found a short answer to this question,” Paul said. The concept of a Men’s Shed was introduced at two recent “Men’s Sheds provide sharing, communication, camaraderie, meetings that were organised by Paul Fannon, a board learning and teaching, and mentoring – the benefits are wide member of Men’s Sheds Tasmania. Paul said the response at reaching.” both was enthusiastic. A third meeting for those interested in forming a Dunalley “This is a project that has the potential to help re- Men’s Shed is currently being planned. Fred Steele and connect the men of Dunalley and further strengthen their Michael Bland have been doing a lot of the local ‘leg work’ community,” Paul said. “The group of residents who came and you can contact Fred on 6253 5225 or Michael via to the first two meetings look like a keen group. They’re email on: [email protected] looking at holding a third meeting after Easter, as well as scouting possible sites for a shed. The national body of the To find out more about the Australian Men’s Shed Men’s Shed Association will support this project, but it’s up Association, go to: www.mensshed.org. to the community where it goes from here.”

A Men’s Shed is a community-based, non-profit organisation; its primary activity is the provision of a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace in the company of other men. A major objective is to advance the well-being and health of members.

Recovery News 5 Did you know? The Tasmanian Bushfire Recovery Taskforce has released its Interim Action Plan, detailing the initial impact of the January 2013 bushfires and key priority actions to support affected individuals, families and communities – including engaging you in decisions that affect you and your community. The Plan is on our website – www.bushfirerecovery.com.au. Threads of friendship arrive from Alice Springs How long is a piece of string? Like Ray, a spinner/knitter from the The suitcase full of goods was many of the great minds over the Northern Territory, collected the presented at this month’s Bothwell centuries, we don’t know the answer specially-donated goods from Alice Spin-in to local resident Jill Maeer, who to this question. But a suitcase full of Springs and organised for a friend to belongs to the Handweavers, Spinners hand-made quilts and clothing that deliver them to Tasmania. His only and Dyers Guild of Tasmania. Jill in was recently delivered to Dunalley is instruction was that he hoped the turn delivered the donations to the proof that a length of thread can reach items went to those who could best Dunalley Information and Service Hub Tasmania from Alice Springs. use them. for distribution.

Barbara Fowler OAM is Patron of “It’s heartening to think that a group in the biennial Bothwell Spin-in and central understood what was Fibre Festival, which regularly holds a happening down here in Tasmania and ‘Longest Thread’ competition. Barbara wanted to help,” Barbara said. “The first is a key stitch in the chain of events suitcase of items was just a collection that brought these gifts to the State … that was organised at short notice, but Ray has promised that there will “The Bothwell Spin-in awards prizes be more hand-made items arriving for for the longest thread that’s spun from winter.” 10 grams of wool, but the principle behind the competition is that it’s the threads of friendship that link us all,” Barbara said. “And that’s how I got to know Ray Knight.” Jill Maeer Working bee organised for Connellys Free financial advice Marsh beach for bushfire-affected A community working bee to remove Southern Beaches Landcare/ Tasmanians bushfire debris from Connellys beach Coastcare has promised their support Free financial advice for Tasmanians is being organised by local volunteers and equipment, and will also be affected by the January bushfires is and Southern Beaches Landcare/ looking at the possibility of re-planting being offered by The Financial Planning Coastcare. native plants, taking care to minimise Association of Australia’s (FPA) Pro disturbance to the recovering dunes. Bono Service. Dot Lloyd-Bostock, the Connellys Marsh representative on the ‘Locals The Connellys beach working bee If you would like advice on your Group’ (organised by the Dunalley has been pencilled in for Saturday current financial situation, you can call: Information and Service Hub), said 20 April, between 11.00am and 1300 626 393. You’ll be given the the January bushfire left a visual scar 2.00pm – but it might be best to details of several financial planners along the waterfront. confirm these details at the DISH (members of the FPA) who are (in the old Post Office at Dunalley) available to provide free advice to help “As the fire moved along the beach closer to the day. you begin to rebuild your financial it destroyed nearby shacks and position. boatsheds,” Dot said. “Hazell Bros are doing a great job with the main clean- For more information, go to: up but we need volunteers to finish www.fpadifference.com.au. the tidying up. We’d like to make this working bee into a community event with a barbecue.”

6 Recovery News Introducing our Active Partners The Tasmanian Government’s Active Partners program Farmers and Graziers Association, Rural Business Tasmania recognises the resources and efforts that are being provided Inc. (Rural Financial Counselling Service), Landcare Tasmania, by organisations, groups and individuals in support of fire- Tassielink Transit, St Vincent de Paul Society, Insurance affected communities. Council of Australia, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lifeline, Australian Red Cross, Dunalley Tasman Active Partners includes groups and volunteers who are Neighbourhood House, Uniting Care, Anglicare, Colony 47 providing ongoing support to bushfire-affected communities and the Show Ground. in partnership with the State Government, as well as local government and affected communities. Help and support You can find out more about the Active Partners program at has taken the form of cash donations or provision of our website www.bushfirerecovery.tas.gov.au/active_partners resources such as food, clothing or volunteers to assist in the or by emailing [email protected]. clean-up effort.

Thanks to the generosity of all Tasmanians, the list of Active Partners continues to grow. To date, the program includes: BlazeAid, Foodbank, Volunteering Tasmania, Tasmanian

Social workers: Helping Remain alert for scammers individuals, families and the Tasmanians living in bushfire-affected areas need to remain community on the lookout for people seeking to dishonestly profit from the disaster. Most of us know that social workers offer personal support and counselling, but sometimes we forget that While the office of Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading they also offer a range other services, including assistance (CAFT) has received only a small number of calls to date with completing forms and dealing with government and about potential unconscionable conduct, the risk will remain non-government agencies. (and may in fact increase) during the clean-up and rebuilding phase. Experience in interstate disaster recovery shows that Social workers are a great source of information and sadly there are a small number of unscrupulous people out support, as well as referral and advocacy. They can visit there who will take advantage of those affected by natural your home, or contact you by phone. Most importantly, disasters. the service is confidential and free of charge. Before engaging a tradesman to do any clean up or repair There’s a social worker available near you. work, people should always: • contact their insurer to check what their policy covers Tasman Health and Community Service • contact the Bushfire Recovery Unit to confirm what 1614 Nubeena Rd, Nubeena services are being provided by government 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. • ask around for recommendations as to suitable 6250 9000 or 0438 192 328 tradesmen • get several written quotes before agreeing to any work Murdunna Information and Service Hub • do not pay in full up front (Murdunna playground) • be wary of door-to-door offers and avoid tradesmen Carol and Christine will be onsite on Tuesdays and who give only mobile numbers and first names. Thursdays between 10.00am to 1.00pm (and other times by arrangement) Any reports of profiteering or scam activity in bushfire- Carol: 0438 192 328 or Christine: 6253 5575 affected communities will be taken very seriously. If you are concerned about a person or business who may be engaging Dunalley Information and Service Hub in unscrupulous business practices, you should obtain as 160 , Dunalley 6253 5575 much information about the trader as possible – name, 10.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday contact information, description of the individual and/or their vehicle – and report the matter to CAFT on 1300 654 Sorell Community Health Service 499. 57 Cole St, Sorell 6265 6615 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday

Recovery News 7 Statistics Storage Solutions The Tasmanian and Commonwealth Governments The Sorell/Tasman Affected Area Recovery Committee is have so far distributed almost $8.3 million in financial aware of a need in the community for short to long term assistance to those affected by the bushfires in Tasmania. storage solutions. The committee has compiled a list of local This includes: options who can be contacted directly to discuss your needs. • $752,000 from the Tasmanian Government in Emergency Assistance Grants. Boats and General Storage By the Bay Vlad 0427 963 191 • $764,000 from the Tasmanian Government in 525 Old Forcett Road, Dodges Ferry Housing Assistance Grants. Cambridge Self Storage 6248 4191 • $7.5 million from the Commonwealth 1080 Cambridge Road, Cambridge Government in Disaster Recovery Payments. • $898,000 from the Tasmanian and Commonwealth Peter Canham Removals and Storage 6265 9773 Governments in Clean-Up and Assistance Grants. Dodges Ferry • The funding is in addition to the $7.1 million (not including pledges) raised to date in the official Red Royal Wolf Wayne Silver 6263 5720 Cross Bushfire Appeal. So far$3.6 million has 39 Crooked Billet Drive, Brighton been distributed with at lease $1.7 million reserved for community projects. Storage King Cambridge 6248 5444 as at 4.00pm 20 March 2013 8 Stanton Place, Cambridge

Tasman Storage David MacDonald 0400 100 261 Calendar of events 60 Heywards Road, Koonya Friday Fortnightly Meals and Get Together Conversation New growth: Photo by Coralie Walker, Canberra Dunalley for the whole Neighbourhood community House Rotary Club BBQ A chance to catch up with Murdunna Playground friends, make some new from 5.00pm every ones - and not have to fortnight think about what’s for dinner 13 April tonight! 27 April Friday Nights 11 May 5.00pm to 7.30pm 25 May For information call: 6253 5579 Do you have feedback for us? Masonic Bushfire On the Road to This newsletter aims to provide advice that is relevant and Rally and Fundraiser Recovery useful to you. We welcome your input on the information BBQ Bushfire Relief Benefit you would like included in future editions. Dunalley Hotel Paddock Concert 7 April, 2.00pm Murraville Dunalley Golf If you have any suggestions please contact Special cars and bikes on Club [email protected] or call the hotline on display. Raffles and kids 6 April, 8.00pm 1800 567 567. entertainment. Gold coin entry Enquiries: 0400 226 821 If you know of someone who would like to receive Tasmanian Bushfire Recovery updates, please email [email protected] or call 1800 567 567.

PHONE SORELL INFORMATION AND SERVICE HUB 1800 567 567 Shop 4, 31 Cole Street, Sorell (Access via Station Lane) EMAIL DUNALLEY INFORMATION AND SERVICE HUB [email protected] 160 Arthur Highway, Dunalley (the old Post Offi ce) ONLINE MURDUNNA INFORMATION AND SERVICE HUB bushfi rerecovery.tas.gov.au Arthur Highway, Murdunna (Murdunna Playground) Grants and financial assistance

Australian Government Aurora Energy Assistance Disaster Recovery Payments Aurora Energy has announced a package of measures to The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment help customers across Tasmania who have been affected (AGDRP) is available in the Sorell, Tasman and Glamorgan- by the January 2013 bushfires. Spring Bay Local Government Areas and in the district of Ellendale. Payments of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 Residential and business customers whose properties have per eligible child are available to assist people who have been destroyed will receive the following assistance: been adversely affected by bushfires. • remove any outstanding customer debt on Aurora accounts associated with the property destroyed For more information call 180 22 66 • an automatic Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) payment (between 8.00am and 8.00pm) or visit: of $160 per customer www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster • contribution of up to $500 towards any future electricity connection costs for installations associated Customer service staff are available at the following with properties that are rebuilt. locations: • Barrack Street Service Centre As well, Pay-As-You-Go customers who lost their 30-38 Barrack Street, Hobart properties in the fires will have all their pre-existing 8.30am to 4.30pm (Monday to Friday) prepayment credit returned to them. • Sorell DHS Service Centre Shop 3, 5 Fitzroy Street, Sorell Residential and business customers who lost electricity 8.30am to 4.00pm (Monday to Friday) supply for an extended period in bushfire impacted areas • Tasman Health and Community Service and are eligible for a GSL payment will receive: 1614 Nubeena Rd, Nubeena • an automatic credit of $100 on their electricity account 8.30am to 4.30pm (Monday to Friday) to offset any fixed daily charges • an automatic Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) payment of $160 per customer. Housing assistance grants If you are affected by the bushfires you can access housing If you wish to contact Aurora to register your eligibility for assistance grants. You must register your interest by calling this relief call 132 004 or complete a form on Aurora’s 1800 808 340 (between 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday website www.auroraenergy.com.au. to Friday). These grants will be means-tested based on income, assets, age, and residential status in line with eligibility for the Private Rental Assistance Scheme. Stage Two Bushfire Recovery Grants The following will be available: Homeowners, tenants and community projects are eligible • temporary living grants of up to $8,875 (over a for second stage funding grants from the Red Cross maximum period of 6 months) to assist with living Bushfire Appeal. expenses; • essential household goods grants of up to $5,600 The Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal Distribution Committee per household (plus $950 per additional household (TBADC) has approved the criteria for the grants, which member up to a maximum of $8,875) for costs not include the: covered by insurance, to assist with the replacement of • Destroyed Homes Grant – $10,000 per essential household items; and household to assist homeowners with re-housing and • repair/replacement grants of up to $8,875 to assist with replacing household contents where their primary the reestablishment of the principal place of residence. residence was destroyed in the bushfires. • Tenant Contents Grant (including PLEASE NOTE: These grants are not for emergency boarders) – $5,000 per household to assist tenants housing. For information on emergency housing please replace contents where their primary residence was call the number given above and ask about emergency destroyed in the bushfires. housing. • Community Assistance Grant – a minimum of $1million for community projects which contribute to community cohesion, resilience and recovery.

Recovery News The purpose of the Red Cross Appeal is to assist individuals, Those who wish to register their interest in, or donate to, families and communities directly affected by the bushfires. the Revegetation and Garden Restoration Program can Community projects have been included in this round as they contact the Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood House on give communities a shared focus and a way to reconnect, 6253 5579 or email [email protected]. which can help enormously with the recovery process. The Committee will continue to assess the needs of the Affected Area Recovery Committees (AARCs) will work affected communities to determine how the remaining with the Tasman/Sorell and Central Highlands communities funds will be distributed. All Appeal administration costs on the applications. The AARCs are made up of local are being covered by the Tasmanian Government so that council and community representatives and will provide every dollar donated goes to affected communities. recommendations to the TBADC on which projects will most benefit the communities. Clean-up and Assistance Grants Stage Three Bushfire Recovery As a result of the bushfires the Tasmanian and Grants Commonwealth Governments are providing Clean-up Grants of up to $5,000 will be made available to help and Assistance Grants to provide short term targeted home owners repair bushfire damage to their primary assistance for clean-up, removal of debris and further residence (or surrounding external structures) under the restoration following the bushfires in cases where the third stage of funding from the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal. impact on the small business, farming and not for profit A further $300,000 has also been allocated by the sector has been particularly severe. Tasmanian Bushfire Appeal Distribution Committee for a Revegetation and Garden Restoration Program in the These clean-up grants recognise that small businesses, Tasman and Sorell areas. primary producers and non-profit organisations will have costs that may not be covered by the contract with Hazell The focus of the third round of grants has been on easing Bros and provide assistance for further restoration. the personal distress caused by the ongoing sight of fire- damaged property around homes – structures which may All claims must be lodged by 30 June 2013. include decking, children’s play equipment, garden furniture, barbecues, sheds, and water tanks. There are two tiers of grants available: • Tier 1 - An upfront lump sum payment to all eligible The grant is only available to owners of a primary applicants with a maximum grant of $10,000. residence who continue to live in their residence in the • Tier 2 - A grant of up to $15,000 based on an fire affected community. assessment of impact and quotes or receipts/ tax invoices where costs are in excess of Tier It is not available to: One Payments. This payment may be upfront or a • non-primary homes reimbursement of costs. • businesses (who may be eligible for Clean-Up Assistance Grants) Further information and claim forms are available from • tenants (who may be eligible for the Tenants Contents www.bushfirerecovery.tas.gov.au or by calling 1800 567 Grant) 567 or at all Service Tasmania shops. • recipients of the $10,000 Destroyed Homes Grant. Representatives from the Department of Economic The Revegetation and Garden Restoration Program will be Development, Tourism and the Arts (DEDTA) are based at led by the Dunalley Tasman Neighbourhood House. The the Dunalley Information and Service Hub to answer any funding will be used to kick start the revegetation program enquiries and help applicants complete their applications. with plants and equipment as well as the employment of a Tony Ryan, a Project Manager from DEDTA is based at program coordinator. Dunalley and can be contacted on 0400 531 094.

To apply for the Damaged Home and External For further assistance with the small business and non- Structures Grant, eligible residents need to fill in an profit claim forms, please call the Business Tasmania Team application form and return it to their local council or on 1800 440 026. For assistance with the primary the Information and Service Hubs at Sorell, Dunalley and producer claim form, please call 1300 368 550. Murdunna. The application form is available online at www.bushfirerecovery.tas.gov.au or from local councils or the Information and Service Hubs.

Recovery News