1.  Bushfire information contacts

CFA information line:

1800 240 667 www.cfa.vic.gov.au

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE):

1800 240 667 www.dse.vic.gov.au/fire

Department of Primary Industries (DPI):

136 186 www.dpi.vic.gov.au

State Trustees: 9667 6073

Helping you after the Bushfires with the following issues:

·               Local documents, including wills, Power of Attorney

·               Finalising loved one’s affairs and administering their estate

·               Helping you manage your financial affairs while you get back on your feet

·               Or simply working out what to do next

Replacement Needs:

·               Medicare card: replacement Medicare cards 13 20 11

·               Driver’s Licence and registration needs 13 11 71

·               Tax File Number: 13 11 42

·               Australian Passports: 13 12 32

·               Visa and Citizenship Documents: 13 18 81

·               Veterans Affairs: 1300 551 918

·               Birth, Deaths and Marriage Certificates: 1300 369 367

·               Bushfires Building Advice Line: 1300 320 360

·               Medical advice: Nurse on Call 24 hour support 1300 606 024

Insurance Claims:

·               RACV: 13 19 03

·               CGU: 1300 550 194

·               APIA: 13 50 50

·               AAMI: 13 50 50

·               Allianz: 13 14 37

·               AMP: 13 14 37

·               GIO: 13 14 46

Telstra Relief Package for Telstra customers:

13 22 03 or www.nowwearetalking.com.au

2.  Victoria Bushfire Assistance

The Victorian Government through Regional Development Victoria has announced assistance for businesses and primary producers directly impacted by the 2009 bushfires, whether through loss of property or tools of trade.

The assistance package comprises:

·               a one-off grant of up to $5,000 for immediate repair and restoration costs, with additional funds available up to a total of $25,000 for eligible businesses with significant damage

·               free access to professional business advice and business counselling services

·               a low-cost loan scheme through the rural Finance Corporation - loans for 15 years of up to $200,000 are available at a rate of 3.2% P/A for the first five years

How to access the assistance

To apply for an Emergency Business Grant or a concessional loan, please contact the rural Finance Corporation on 1800 255 925 or visit www.ruralfinance.com.au

To sign up for business counselling and general business advice use the sign up for updates and advice form from www.ruralfinance.com.au or contact the Business Victoria hotline

on 13 22 15

3.  Small Business/ Primary Producers Assistance Package

A one-off grant of up to $5,000 for immediate repair and restoration costs, with additional funds available up to a total of $25,000 for eligible businesses with significant damage. A low-cost loan scheme through the rural Finance Corporation, Loans for 15 years of up to $200,000 are available at a rate of 3.2% p.a. for the first five years.

How to access the assistance

To apply for an Emergency Business Grant or a concessional loan, Please contact the rural Finance Corporation on 1800 255 925 or visit www.ruralfinance.com.au

Business Victoria Legal Assistance-Bush fire victims: 1800 113 432

4.  Other services available to bush fire affected people

Financial advice: The financial Association of Australia (FPA) will offer free financial advice to victims of the bush fire; to arrange to speak with a financial planner please call 1800 626 303.

National Australia Bank is offering cash grants to its loan customers whose homes have been destroyed by the Victorian bushfires.  $10,000 grants are available to customers who lost their entire home, farm building or business building in the disaster and $5,000 for the partial loss of properties. The grants are available only to those who had NAB mortgages when the fires occurred.

More information available at http://www.nab.com.au/ ;click on Victorian Bushfire Relief.

ANZ is providing cash assistance for mortgage, business and agricultural lending customers whose homes or property have been destroyed by the bushfires.

A $10,000 cash grant will be available for mortgage, business and agricultural lending customers who have suffered full loss of property, amenities, stock or machinery. Customers who have suffered partial loss or serious damage of property, amenities and stock or essential farm items will receive a $5,000 grant. 

More info at http://www.anz.com.au/aus/About-ANZ/Corporate-Responsibility/community/victorian-bushfire-appeal.asp

Commonwealth Bank has a special emergency assistance package for customers affected by the bushfires which includes deferment of home loan repayments for a minimum of three months during which no interest will accrue on these loans. The bank will also provide immediate cash assistance of $10,000 to home loan customers whose house has been destroyed or $5,000 if their house has been partially destroyed.  Similar assistance is available to business customers. 

For more details please ring 1300 720 814

Here to Help:  People who need assistance from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund should call The Department of Human Services (DHS) on 1800 180 213 or visit www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal

Telstra announced a relief package for its residential and small business customers in Victoria who have been forced from their homes or whose phone services have been affected by the recent bush fires.  Free phone diversion and landline calls from mobiles as well as free re-connection or phone and broadband within 12 months.  To access the free call diversion or to report loss of their Telstra fixed service, customers should contact 13 22 03.  More information on website http://www.nowwearetalking.com.au/news/telstra-bushfire-assistance-package-061

Are you an Artist / Artisan affected by the bushfires? Help ($) is available -  Regional Arts Victoria in conjunction with several other arts agencies is seeking information to try to gauge the impact of the bushfire on individual artists / artisans who form the arts communities of these areas.  The information collected will form part of a funding submission to assist artists in the recovery process. Some immediate funding for individuals artists has already been identified.

For information on this funding please call Cindy Ferguson on 0419 517 045

5.  Buy Local Message

The Murrindindi Shire Council is calling on all the generous organisations, Government support staff and volunteers involved in recovery and reconstruction to BUY LOCAL. 

Local businesses have been hit hard. Supporting Murrindindi businesses, services and suppliers keeps locals in work. This is vital for the rebuilding our local economy.

6.  VFF fodder/Agistment line

Tel: 1300 882 833 or see www.vff.org.au

7.  Launch of VECCI Business Relief Fund to assist businesses

VECCI launched in conjunction with the State Government the VECCI Business Relief Fund (VBRF) to assist businesses indirectly impacted by natural disasters such as the Black Saturday bushfires by providing short-term financial support.

The VBRF aims to support businesses that are suffering loss of trade but have not been damaged or destroyed by events such as the recent bushfires, and are therefore ineligible for government assistance.  A panel of business and community representatives will assess grant applications for up to $5,000 initially, in line with criteria that considers the size of the business, extent of hardship and the existence of other income.  In addition to the VBRF, VECCI is working with the State Government to provide business advisors to businesses both directly and indirectly affected by the recent bushfires. Businesses affected that would like to speak to an advisor should contact Ed Walta on phone 0417 314 933 or email edwalta@netspace.net.au

For further information, please refer to http://www.anz.com.au/about-us/corporate-responsibility/community/victorian-bushfire-appeal/