2012 Flood & Disaster Information

Posted 20th April, 2012 by Corporate Support Team


Flood Update
Flooding across the shire over the weekend of 1 - 4 March 2012 resulted in widespread damage. All main roads are open for road travel. Drivers should exercise caution on secondary roads and obey traffic directions.

For road closures in the Tumut Shire - Current Road Conditions

An alternate source of information is the Roads and Maritime Services (RTA) Hotline - 131700 or their live traffic update for up to date main road information

Please contact individual businesses for their exact situation.

Information for Flood Affected People
The Department of Primary Industries have a number of fact sheets on their website providing information on a range of flood-related issues including flood gate management, livestock flood refuge, and assistance. These can be found http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/emergency/flood

The attached Information Sheets relate to :

Flood Damage Report Form

Natural Disaster Assistance Schemes - This page includes links to information regarding:- NSW Disaster Assistance Guidelines, Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance, Primary Producers-Loans and Transport Subsidies, Small Business Loans, Trustees of Parks and Reserves, Sporting Clubs, Churches and Voluntary Non-profit Organisations, Motor Vehicle Stamp Duty Relief, Commonwealth/State Natural Disaster Arrangements.

Health Information

GSAHS Flood Information Brochure

Legal Aid - 'Turning the Tide' Storms, Floods, Insurance and You - A guide to getting your insurance claim paid

For more information please phone 6941 2555

Constructing a Flood Levy
Following recent flooding, some people may be considering building a levy bank to protect their property from future floods.

Due to the potential impact of flood levies on adjoining properties, they require Council development consent. A Flood Levy Information Sheet has been prepared to assist people who are considering building a flood levy.

Ministry for Police and Emergency Services - Disaster Recovery Resources

Additional flood assistance for New South Wales
12th April 2012
Joint media release

Additional assistance will be made available for flood-affected farms, businesses and communities in four New South Wales communities, Commonwealth Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher announced today.

Under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), flood-affected primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in the local government areas of Coolamon, Gundagai, Tumbarumba and Tumut can access up to $15,000 for clean-up and recovery grants.

These grants are already available in Griffith, Leeton, Lockhart, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Urana, Wagga Wagga and Young.

"We want to help these local economies recover as quickly as possible," Ms Roxon said.

"The grants will be of enormous benefit to help farms, businesses and communities by funding clean-up activities, grants to community service organisations, replacement of damaged equipment, stock and other general repairs."

Mr Gallacher said the latest flood support came on top of existing joint Commonwealth-New South Wales government NDRRA funding already announced and in place in 63 communities across the state.

"It is important that these communities receive the assistance they need to get back on their feet as quickly as possible," Mr Gallacher said.

"Both governments are committed to giving a much needed boost to those eligible small businesses and primary producers directly impacted by the floods."

Applications for these grants can be made through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority by calling 1800 678 593.

These grants are in addition to the personal hardship and distress assistance; primary producer and small business loans; transport subsidies; loans and grants to churches, not-for-profit organisations and clubs; and, assistance to councils and trustees of parks and reserves already provided under the NDRRA for these floods.

"The Commonwealth, through Emergency Management Australia, will continue to work closely with the NSW Government to ensure that the affected communities have all the support they need during this difficult period," Ms Roxon said.

For more information about NDRRA funding please go to the Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

Ministry for Police and Emergency Services

Information Sheets:

Tumut Floods 2012 - Powerpoint Presentation
A Powerpoint presentation containing information on the floods, the impact of the floods and where to from here. A PDF version of the Powerpoint presentation can also be viewed below;
Flood March 2012 Powerpoint Presentation

View High Resolution Flood Pictures March 2012

Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
The Community Foundation for Tumut Region has activated the disaster relief appeal to raise funds to assist Tumut shire residents whose homes have been impacted by the recent flood.

Following the devastating flood of 2010 in the local district and in particular Adelong, the Community Foundation for Tumut Region launched an appeal to assist those who were inundated by flood waters.

The generous community response assisted the Foundation to coordinate donations and help flooded householders with food items and household goods purchased from local retailers. This disaster relief appeal has now been reopened.

Louise Halsey, chairman of the Foundation, said “the formal declaration of a natural state of disaster in the shire enables the Foundation to establish a Disaster Relief Fund.

The Community Foundation Board is pleased to activate the appeal for this devastating March flood event. If sufficient funds are forthcoming from the local community and corporate sector, we hope that we will be able to make similar donations as we did in 2010 that could go a small way to providing some comfort.

There are also other agencies able to provide help such as St Vincent De Paul and anyone who has been affected by the floods, while it may be difficult, should not feel embarrassed as help is available “ said Louise. “The weather has created some extraordinary situations and any one of us could be affected”.

Donations can be tax deductible and made payable to the Community Foundation for Tumut Region March 2012 Flood Appeal. Donations may be left at branches of the Bendigo Bank in Tumut or Adelong, or the Community Foundation office, 51 Wynyard Street, Tumut (PO Box 670 Tumut 2720).

The Community Foundation is an independent, not for profit organisation governed by a Board of volunteers, with wide experience and community wisdom, from across the region. Board members are: Phil Barton, Louise Halsey, Jan Knott, Diana Palmer, Anthony Reid and Stephen Wood.

Any enquiries can be directed to Board members or phone coordinator, Peter Becker 6947 9233 or Chairman, Louise Halsey 6947 3208.