21 October 2022

Seasonal conditions support

NEW SOUTH WALES

21 OCTOBER 2022

The latest advice is available from the NSW SES website: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/news/ 

NSW DPI is also directing growers to the following sites:

Flood warnings and evacuation centres: https://www.nsw.gov.au/floods

Financial assistance: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance

Commonwealth assistance: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-events?context=60042

VICTORIA

24 OCTOBER 2022

Workers in Victoria are eligible for disaster relief financial assistance
The Victorian Government has confirmed that emergency financial assistance is available for all community members, including PALM scheme workers, whose homes have been impacted by the current flood emergency in Victoria.

A one-off payment is provided to help meet immediate needs, including emergency food, shelter, clothing, medication and accommodation.

Workers should request a call-back via the online service, as the regular online form asks for proof of residency. The call-back request also allows workers to request a translator if necessary. Please help your PALM scheme workers to apply for the grant if they need assistance.

For more information go to the Victorian Government Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website.

21 OCTOBER 2022

VicEmergency Hotline

Please contact the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 to:

  • Report impact assessement
  • Request assistance
  • Learn about funding available

VicEmergency Incidents and Warnings Map

https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/

Financial support for flood-affected farmers

Visit Agriculture Victoria’s webpage for floods: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/floods

A support package is available for flood-affected farmers:

  • Primary Producer Clean-Up Relief Grants: $10,000 grants to cover the cost of the clean-up and get businesses up and running again
  • Primary Producer Concessional Loans: Up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged equipment and infrastructure, or to cover the short-term business expenses.
  • Primary Producer Transport Subsidies: Up to $15,000 to support the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and the movement of livestock.

Social media

Follow Agriculture Victoria’s Facebook page for updates:

https://www.facebook.com/agriculturevictoria 

19 OCTOBER 2022

What to do after a flood: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/emergency-management/floods/what-to-do-immediately-after-a-flood

Support for Victorian Primary Producers Impacted by Flooding

The Victorian Government has announced support for primary producers and businesses across Victoria affected by the devastating floods.

A $73.5 million package will deliver grants to help farmers and business owners clean up their properties, while business mentoring, concessional loans and transport subsidies will help businesses get back on their feet.

Support for primary producers

The $19.5 million Primary Producer Flood Relief Program will deliver a one-off $10,000 payment – administered by Rural Finance – to primary producers directly affected by the floods to help them clean up, re-establish their properties, and get their businesses up and running again.

The grants will cover activities like the removal and disposal of debris and injured or dead livestock, repairing essential equipment, fixing and replacing fencing, buying fodder, water and water storage, salvaging damaged crops, grain or feed, and hiring or purchasing materials to clean up a property or equipment.

Primary producers whose properties have been directly hit are also eligible for concessional loans of up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged assets, and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway.

Flood-affected primary producers can also claim up to 50 per cent of transport costs – up to $15,000 – for the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and moving stock to agistment, sale or slaughter.

Applications will open on Thursday, 20 October.

For more information, visit www.ruralfinance.com.au

Support for businesses

Business owners will be supported through the $54 million Business Flood Relief Program.

Directly impacted businesses will be eligible for a one-off payment of $5,000 to support clean-up, safety inspections, repairs, the hiring of equipment and purchase of stock that businesses need to get back in business as quickly as possible.

The program will also support a dedicated Business Relief Service – with dedicated mentors to guide business owners through the available Commonwealth, state and local supports, manage insurance and landlord issues and build a strong recovery strategy.

Applications will open on Thursday, 20 October.

For more information, visit Business Victoria or call the Business Victoria hotline on 132 215.

Support for mental health

 In addition, the Victorian Government has announced a $4.4 million initial package that will support any extra mental healthcare flood-affected Victorians need.

This includes $500,000 for specialist agriculture organisations, including the National Centre for Farmer Health, to provide dedicated mental health support to primary producers whose properties, livestock or crops were lost in the floods.

Further information on this support is available in the Premier’s statement.

COMMONWEALTH

24 OCTOBER 2022

Flood update and emergency contacts

Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by the widespread flooding in multiple areas of Australia.
We ask all employers to be mindful of local warning notices and to follow the guidance of emergency services. A list of online and emergency resources appears below.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) and the Pacific Labour Facility (PLF) are contacting all PALM scheme employers in flooded areas, or in areas identified as ‘at risk’. We are making every effort to support employers and workers to ensure everyone’s safety.
If you are not sure how to prepare for or what to do in a flood, here are some tips.
If PALM scheme employers have concerns about flooding and/or evacuation please check with your relevant SES (list below) and also:

  • Employers of the seasonal cohort, please contact your Contract Manager at DEWR.
  • Employers of the long-term cohort, please contact the PLF by emailing support@pacificlabourfacility.com.au or calling 1800 51 51 31 (7am-7pm AEST, critical incidents only after hours)

Where to find emergency assistance and information

If your life is at risk, call triple zero (000) immediately.

For emergency assistance, contact the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (same number across Australia), or refer to your relevant state or territory SES website:

Be aware of flash flooding and road safety

Roads and bridges can be impacted by flash flooding. PALM scheme workers may not be experienced driving in these conditions. We ask employers to be aware of the latest information about flooded roads and evacuation routes (website links below), and to make sure workers understand they should never try to drive through flood waters.

ABC local radio for regular updates

Employment entitlements during natural disasters and emergencies – Message from the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO)

Australians can experience a range of natural disasters, such as floods, bushfires, tropical cyclones, severe storms and even earthquakes. These events can cause devastation to communities and financial hardship for individuals and businesses.

An employee may have entitlements under their award or agreement that are relevant when they are unable to attend work due to an emergency or natural disaster. Where no such entitlement exists, this fact sheet outlines the options available to employers and employees, depending on their circumstances.

There may also be state or territory-based advice and assistance available to affected employers and employees. State or territory workplace health and safety laws also provide for a general duty of care towards employees that should be considered.

Please see Employment entitlements during natural disasters and emergencies for further information.

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