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Friday, 13 December 2019
Media release

Joint media release with the Hon Michelle Lensink MP - More assistance for bushfire affected communities in South Australia

​Hardship payments of up to $10,000 are now available to those worst-hit by the Yorketown and Price bushfires last month as part of an additional $1.37 million recovery package.

Assistance is being provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the payments would help repair damaged homes.

"This can help fix damage to your house or replace essential household items," Minister Littleproud said.

"This puts cash in the pockets of those most in need and helps to give them dignity.

"It will also help to cover any insurance shortfalls to make sure these communities can be restored.

"Recovery will take time and further assistance will be made available if it is needed."

Support available includes:

  • mental health and wellbeing services via a registered nurse mental health clinician
  • re-establishment grants
  • case management and supports services through the Recovery Centre
  • outreach services utilising the Disaster Recovery Ministries and the Australian Red Cross

Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink said the new funding will provide support to the community where they need it.

"I urge South Australians directly affected by the Yorketown and Price fires to seek support and assistance," Minister Lensink said.

"Our relief and recovery teams have spent the past couple of weeks on the ground listening to the community and we've identified areas to help the community as they recover and get back on their feet."

The region's Emergency Relief Centre has now re-opened as a Recovery Centre, located at the SYP Community Telecentre at 33 Stansbury St, Yorketown, and will be staffed by SA Housing Authority staff and the Local Recovery Coordinator Deb Richardson.

People who are suffering personal hardship and in need of assistance can contact the Recovery Hotline on 1800 302 787.

To date, a total of $180,489 has been granted to the community through 369 Personal Hardship Emergency Grants.

For the most up-to-date information on the Yorketown fire recovery, see the DHS website at www.dhs.sa.gov.au/yorketown. Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au.