2022 flood information

We are continuing our flood recovery efforts throughout the shire following the severe weather event in October 2022.
View project updates by downloading the files below:

Flood recovery community update - 31 January 2023

If you are in immediate danger and require urgent assistance, dial 000.

If you are not in immediate danger, but you require immediate relief assistance, call the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760 from 7:30am – 7:30pm daily.

For current emergency advice, visit emergency.vic.gov.au.

WELLBEING SUPPORT

It is normal to experience a range of physical, mental, emotional and behavioural reactions following an emergency or distressing event. There are many supports available to assist you and your family.

Wellbeing support services include:
• Lifeline – 13 11 14 – crisis support available 24/7 via phone, text or online chat
• Parentline – 13 22 89 – support for parents and carers
• Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800 – support for kids, teens and young adults
• NURSE-ON-CALL – 1300 60 60 24 – expert health information and advice
• Australian Psychological Society Referral Service – 1800 333 497
• Safe Steps – 1800 015 188 – family violence specialists available 24/7
• Orange Door – 1800 512 359 – access services for adults, children and young people who are experiencing family violence. 57 View Street, Bendigo 3552, 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (closed public holidays). Visit www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au.
• Mental Health & Wellbeing Hubs – 1300 375 330 – book an in-person or telehealth appointment for anyone who feels overwhelmed or needs support with mental health concerns.

PERSONAL SUPPORT

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

• Register for clean-up on private property
• Navigating financial and other support
• Access to temporary accommodation
• Mental health and wellbeing support

CALL 1800 560 760
(Press 9 to speak to an interpreter)
The recovery hotline is open from 7.30am-7.30pm every day.

Life in mind
This website provides a range of practical and emotional resources available for people who wish to seek support due to the impact of flood disasters.Visit the page, practical and emotional support for flood affected communities.

Emerging minds
Supporting your child after a flood, resources and support. Visit the page supporting children and teenagers in a flood emergency.

BUSINESS SUPPORT

Partners in Wellbeing Helpline
Confidential, one-on-one financial, business advice and wellbeing support to Victorian small business owners.
Call 1300 375 330

Workplace Wellbeing Hub
One-stop-shop for business owners and advisers to access a range of wellbeing and mental health information. Visit business.vic.gov.au.

RURAL SUPPORT

Rural Aid
• Free counselling
• Fodder
• Financial assistance
• Domestic water
• Educational resources
...and more

CALL 1300 327 624
Visit the Rural Aid website at www.ruralaid.org.au

Agriculture Victoria support
Anyone with urgent animal welfare needs should call the Vic Emergency Hotline (operating 24/7) on 1800 226
226.

Agriculture Victoria are working to assess agricultural damage and loss from the floods. As the flood waters continue to move, more details about impacts will become clearer. Where safe, check your animals, particularly those who may have spent time standing in mud or water.

The Agriculture Victoria website has lots of information including documents such as a feed budget plan.

For more information visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au.

Download and print the Flood Event Support & Assistance Flyer

The Flood Event Support & Assistance flyer lists all the necessary contacts for flood relief and recovery.

Post-flood recovery session with Dr Rob Gordon

Following recent flash flooding events across the region, the Macedon Ranges Shire Council hosted an evening post-flood recovery session with clinical psychologist Dr Rob Gordon to support the wellbeing of affected residents. Dr Gordon is an expert in mental health, first aid and supporting people affected by disasters.

Watch the recording of the MRSC post-flood recovery meeting.

PERSONAL ASSISTANCE

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is a lump sum payment to help you if you’ve been significantly affected by the recent Victorian floods. If you’ve experienced major damage to your property or other assets you can claim $1000 per adult and $400 for each child.

Find out more about Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments.

Re-establishment Assistance
You can get financial help to return home if:
• You cannot live in your home because it is damaged or destroyed OR
• You cannot access your home for more than 7 days because of flooding

Find out more by calling the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.

BUSINESS

Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)
The disaster recovery allowance (DRA) is for employees and sole traders who lose income because of a major disaster. You can get payments for up to 13 weeks after the disaster happens. These payments are taxable. Find out more and apply through servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-events.

Small Business Grant
If your small business has been directly impacted by flooding, you can get a one-off payment of $5,000.
This payment will support:
• Clean-up
• Safety inspections
• Repairs
• Equipment hire and purchasing stock for your business
For more information, call the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.

Business Relief Service
Free service one-on-one support from a local business relief adviser available via telephone and on the ground to:
• Guide business owners through the available Commonwealth, state and local supports
• Help businesses assess impacts, manage insurance, landlord issues,
• Form strategies for recovery.
The Business Relief Service can be accessed via the Business Victoria hotline on 13 22 15.
The hotline operates seven days a week from 7.30am-7.30pm.

RURAL

Primary Producer Immediate Flood Relief Program
Primary Producer Recovery Grants:
$75,000 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 cover 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
Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au for or call 1800 260 425 for details.

Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS)
rfcsnetwork.com.au -1300 771 741
Free financial counselling to rural businesses.

AgBizAssist
agbizassist.org.au - 1300 834 775
Free rural and small business financial counselling.

Disaster Relief Australia
Disaster Relief Australia provides disaster response to communities affected by disasters. They have been invited to manage the spontaneous volunteers wishing to help out in the community by Emergency Management Victoria.

Find out how you can volunteer to clean up flood affected areas.

Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants
The Business and Community Sport Sport Flood Recovery Grants program is open to Victorian, businesses, not-for-profits, sport and active recreation organisations directly affected by the recent Victorian floods.One-off grants of $5,000 are available to assist in the replacement of items that have been lost, damaged or destroyed.

Find out about the Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants.

For further information on emergency relief payments visit VicEmergency Relief and Recovery page.

Download the Emergency relief assistance payments fact sheet.

Mount Alexander Shire Council will waive disposal fees at the Castlemaine transfer station for residents with items damaged by flood waters.

• Impacted residents are requested to separate any items that can be recyclable from general waste
• Residents to supply proof of residential address

Castlemaine Transfer Station
Sluicers Rd, Castlemaine
Open: Monday to Sunday, 8:00am - 4.00pm

Fill in the online customer request forms for assistance:

Roads assistance

Drains assistance

Friday 28 November 2022

Road signed with ROADS CLOSED

Daintys Lane, Elphinstone (Bendigo Sutton Grange to Burgoynes Road)
Moons Lane, Faraday (from Faraday Street to Sutton Grange Road)
Byrnes Road, Sutton Grange (2.2kms from Sutton Grange Road)
Myrtle Creek Road, Redesdale (at James Creek Bridge)

Please take alternate routes in the short term while roads are made safe and we ask for your patience with this.

Please note:

• Roads will be inspected over the next week
• Public safety, both traffic and pedestrian are priority
• Council will attend impassable roads as a priority
• Reinstatement works will take approximately 1 month
• If a road is severely damaged please report it on our online Roads service request. You can attach a photo when logging via the internet.

GIVIT is a national not-for-profit donation platform that is managing offers of donated goods, services, volunteering and funds for disaster and emergency events across Victoria.

GIVIT is the smart way to give to people and communities impacted by this event and is an easy, quick and efficient way of donating directly to people in need without overwhelming charities in the region.

Unrequested donations hinder recovery efforts. Please do not drop donations into the affected areas. At this crucial time, it is important to not overwhelm critical services on the ground.

For details and to check what donations are required visit check www.GIVIT.org.au.

Register your property for a free structural assessment if it has been affected by the 2022 October floods.

Find out more and register your property.

If you have property or contents insurance, you should contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the event.

Ask your insurer for advice on actions you should take:

• Make a list of items that have been damaged and take photographs if possible.
• Keep receipts for any emergency repair work.

For assistance with insurance contact the Insurance Council of Australia on 1800 734 621 (24 hour hotline).

You can find information on lodging a claim following a disaster on the Insurance Council of Australia website at
www.insurancecouncil.com.au.

Stay informed and monitor local conditions at VicEmergency.

Be prepared

With more wet weather on the way this week, Council is continuing to encourage residents to prepare their property for future flooding.

While anticipated rainfall this week is estimated to be significantly less than last week, there are many simple and practical steps you can take to protect yourself, the people you love and the things you value most.

Use multiple sources to stay up to date, including:

- VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
- VicEmergency app
- Facebook or Twitter (#vicfloods)
- Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.