emergency bush fire assistance
TFGA Bushfire fencing and assistance funding
The Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association has two streams of funding available to farmers who have suffered direct damage as a result of the January 2013 bushfires.
Both streams of funding are available to those farmers who have received the Tier 1 Federal Government Clean-up and Assistance Grants for Primary Producers.
Stream 1 Funding: The State Government has provided $100,000 to the TFGA to assist with the replacement of fences as a result of January 2013 bushfires. Affect farmers are able to apply for assistance funding to the amount of $200 per km of fencing that needs replacing.
Stream 2 Funding: Through the TFGA Bushfire Donation Fund we will be providing to those that have received the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Assistance Grants the following –
- Tier 1: $1,000
- Tier 2: $1,000
The TFGA will also assess other properties that have been affected by bushfires outside the declared areas (declared areas include Sorell, Tasman, Glamorgan-Spring Bay and Central Highlands) on a case by case basis. Any assistance may be funded through the TFGA Bushfire Donation Fund.
To access these funding streams affected farmers should fill out the form which can be accessed at www.tfga.com.au or call TFGA direct on 6332 1800.
Application for TFGA Bushfire Assistance Funding
Important information
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments
Payments of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child are available.
For more information call 180 22 66 (between 8am and 8pm) or visit www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment
Clean-up and assistance grants for Primary Producers - Purpose of this assistance to provide grants to primary producers who have suffered direct damage as a result of the January 2013 Bushfires for clean-up, removal of debris, disposal of dead livestock and further restoration.
Do you have a fire-affect plantation or native forest on your land?
Private Forests Tasmania has experienced staff that can provide impartial advice to land owners on post-bushfire forest management and forest practices issues. Initial advice is provided free-of-charge.
Contact your nearest PFT office: Hobart 6233 7640, Launceston 6336 5300, Burnie 6434 7260
Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services Housing assistance grants
These are means tested. Register your interest by calling 1800 808 340 (between 9am and 5pm, Mon – Fri).
The following are available:
• temporary living grants of up to $8 875 (over a maximum period of 6 months) to assist with living expenses;
• essential household goods grants of up to $5 600 per household (plus $500 per additional household member up to a maximum of $8 875) for costs not covered by insurance, to assist with the replacement of essential household items; and
• repair/replacement grants of up to $8 875 to assist with the reestablishment of the principal place of residence.
Special arrangements for affected taxpayers – Land Tax
The Commissioner of State Revenue has extended the time to pay Land Tax bills by three months for those suffering personal and financial loss from the bushfires.
Taxpayers with billing addresses between and including postcodes 7173 and 7180 do not have to do anything; the extension of time (to Friday 5 April 2013) will be applied automatically.
People with billing addresses outside of the 7173 and 7180 postcodes who have land tax to pay on property lost or damaged in any fire-affected areas of Tasmania should contact the State Revenue Office to access the extension.
Call (03) 6233 8070, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
Bushfires Clean-up Program
The Government is bearing the cost of the clean-up of homes and other structures destroyed by bushfires.
Any costs that would otherwise have been spent by insurance companies on clean-up will be distributed by insurers to assist with rebuilding.
People should register and request a Consent Form to participate in the clean-up.
Aurora Energy Assistance
Aurora Energy has announced a package of measures to help customers across Tasmania who have been affected by the bushfire emergency.
If customers wish to contact Aurora to register their eligibility for this relief they can call Aurora’s dedicated Bushfire Relief Hotline on 1300 132 006 (between 9am and 5pm, Mon – Fri) or complete a form on Aurora’s website www.auroraenergy.com.au
Banks
Individual banks have announced assistance packages to help families, business people, farmers and individuals in the communities affected by bushfires. Contact your bank directly for more information.
Telstra
Telstra customers can register for an assistance package by calling 132 203 (available 24 hours, daily
People can get more information about available assistance by contacting the Bushfire Recovery Unit on 1800 567 567, visiting the website www.bushfirerecovery.tas.gov.au or emailing recovery@dpac.tas.gov.au
The following links provide important information and key contact points for those affected by the bushfires in Tasmania:
TFGA Bushfire Information Sheet - information on who to call regarding fodder, electricity, fencing, agistment and water.
Tasmanian Fire Service - current bushfires and other incidents. Members of the public can also refer to their ABC Local Radio station for bushfire information and updates.
Tasmanian Police - community alerts and road closures due to bushfire activity.
Department of Premier & Cabinet - Tasmanian State Government bushfire recovery information.
Rural Alive & Well - provides conselling and support services to families and communities.
Rural Financial Counselling Service - offers free, independent assistance to promary producers and small rural business people who are experiencing the pressures of financial hardship.
Small Business Council Tasmania
Red Cross Tasmanian Bushfires 2013 Appeal - provide assistance to those affected by the bushfires by making a donation.
The Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania - Scott Bridges
Dairy Australia - If you have information on dairy farmers or dairy manufacturers affected directly or indirectly by a bushfire or grass fire, please phone or email me, Julie Iommi, as the main DA contact point (jiommi@dairyaustralia.com.au or 03 9694 3720 or 0407 322 995).
Women's Legal Service Tasmania
Hobart Community Legal Service Inc
Launceston Community Legal Centre
North West Community Legal Centre
Animal Health & Welfare During Bushfires
Unfortunately stock, domestic animals and wildlife are all impacted by bushfire. Please find below information which may assist:
Recovery after fire - Rebuilding your life and farming operations after being burnt out is often daunting, stressful and costly. Where do you begin? How do you prioritise the seemingly endless tasks? Who can you approach to get help? Click here for further information.
Stock and Domestic Animals
DPIPWE is available to assist with assessment of burnt livestock and available to provide assistance to put down livestock where necessary. We can also direct you to where you can access services relating to animals impacted by the fires. Contact us on 6233-6875.
Movement of fodder - DPIPWE have confirmed that there are no restrictions on-the-ground for biosecurity reasons within Tasmania for the movement of fodder around the State. For any enquiries contact DPIPWE Biosecurity on 6233 6634.
Animals and Bushfire - what to do before, during and after a fire event to protect your stock and domestic animals. DPIPWE is available to assist with assessment or burnt livestock and provide assistance to put livestock where necessary; please contact Rosemary Meissner on (03) 6233 6875.
Assessing Bushfire Burns in Livestock. This notesheet, produced by NSW Department of Primary Industries, provides excellent advice on the assessment and care of burnt livestock. Warning - contains pictures of animals burnt in bushfires. These pictures may cause distress to some people.
Feeding and Watering Livestock After a Bushfire - a sudden switch from pasture to grain or pellets is likely to cause acidosis (commonly known as grain poisoning) and can be a serious animal health and welfare problem; grain or pellets should be introduced into the livestock's diet gradually.
Emergency Burial of Carcasses - guidance on the emergency burial of carcasses resulting from bushfires.
Emergency slaughter of livestock - Tasmanian Quality Meats at Cressy - (03) 6397 6593, and Swift at Longford - (03) 6397 0111, are prepared to take sheep for emergency slaughter, however must be 'fit to load'. For advice on whether stock are 'fit to load' contact DPIPWE on (03) 6233 6875 to speak with a Stock Inspector.
Equine Emergency Planning Workshop
Nutritional Chart for Livestock
Victorian Department of Primary Industries - Assessing Cattle after a bushfire
Victorian Department of Primary Industries - Bushfire Recovery
The information above may contain content not specific to Tasmanian conditions or have other State contacts, please consider this when reading the fact sheets.
Wildlife
Any member of the public requiring assistance with injured wildlife should contact DPIPWE on 6233-2520 for advice.
DPIPWE manages a network of wildlife carers and works with other volunteer groups and wildlife parks to provide care for injured animals.
If members of the public wish to offer assistance caring for injured wildlife, please contact:
Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary on 6268-1184
Southern Wildlife Rescue and Care on 0415 375 164 or DPIPWE on 6233-2520
General information on orphaned and injured wildlife:
Injured and Orphaned Wildlife
Caring for Orphaned Wildlife
