Residents affected by power outages can grab disaster relief grants up to $10,000
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In the wake of the recent severe weather that wreaked havoc across Tasmania, many residents found themselves in the dark, quite literally, as power outages spread across the region.
TasNetworks reported that over 20 per cent of its network was severely damaged, leaving around 150,000 customers without power at various times.
The aftermath of such an event can be daunting, but there's a silver lining for those affected: the availability of disaster relief grants that could ease the financial burden during these trying times.
The Tasmanian and federal governments have offered co-funded grants, providing a much-needed financial lifeline.
Households without power for more than a week or those whose homes are uninhabitable due to damage can apply for temporary living support payments of up to $2,000 per week.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced that these payments will be available for every seven days a household meets the requirements.
‘While power has been restored to many households, the unprecedented scale of damage means that thousands of Tasmanians are still waiting to be reconnected,’ he said.
‘For households facing power outages for up to five weeks, this new payment means they are eligible for $10,000 in payments.’
The grants, capped at $10,000, opened for applications at 2 PM on Monday, 9 September.
'The funds are there for anyone who reaches the threshold. I'm advised that around 2,500 households or connections still need to be reconnected, so significant numbers,' Premier Rockliff stated.
‘We've made every effort to ensure the application process, whether it's the $250 or the $350, or in this case the $2,000, is as simple as possible.’
Residents in the state's northwest have felt the impact of the power outages, including Angela Wells, who relied on a generator for the essentials, such as keeping the fridge running and charging mobile phones.
‘Just the basics, and to plug the fridge in and keep things from perishing,’ Wells said.
‘We just sort of keep the fridge on for a few hours at night time, just enough to keep it ticking away.’
The community has rallied, with local establishments like the Railton Neighbourhood House storing food for those without power and offering support to isolated residents.
The local pub even opened its doors for people to use its camping shower and charge their devices.
‘I think it's been hard for people that are on their own,’ the neighbourhood house's chairperson Janine Poke said.
‘A few of those people come here, and we help them just by purely having company, coming here and interacting and having community.’
Down south, Ouse farmer Brett Gleeson shared his experience of being stranded due to flooding and the frustration of seeing his clean-up efforts washed away.
His family were stranded for three days in their home during the flooding of the River Derwent and when it overflowed last weekend.
‘We're back to square one,’ he said.
‘We're pretty self-sufficient there, we've always stocked up, so it's not that bad. We've got a generator. You've just got to soldier on and keep going.’
As the repair efforts continue, with crews from New South Wales flown in and workers from the south redirected to assist, TasNetworks is working tirelessly to restore power.
Jason King, Head of Network Operations, acknowledged the complexity of the remaining repairs and the frustration of those still waiting.
‘A lot of the customers that are off now are on the literal end of the line,’ Mr King said.
‘And when I mean end of the line, that could be 50 to 100 kilometres long, these lines, with 20 to 30 poles down and 20 to 30 different locations. So that's the complexity we're looking at.’
Despite the challenges, the commitment to restoring services is unwavering.
In addition to the living support payments, more than 6,000 people have already accessed emergency food grants previously made available to those who have spent 72 hours or longer without power.
Have you been impacted by the severe weather in your area? Let us know in the comments below.
TasNetworks reported that over 20 per cent of its network was severely damaged, leaving around 150,000 customers without power at various times.
The aftermath of such an event can be daunting, but there's a silver lining for those affected: the availability of disaster relief grants that could ease the financial burden during these trying times.
The Tasmanian and federal governments have offered co-funded grants, providing a much-needed financial lifeline.
Households without power for more than a week or those whose homes are uninhabitable due to damage can apply for temporary living support payments of up to $2,000 per week.
Tasmanian residents can receive relief up to $10,000. Credit: ABC News (Australia) / YouTube
Premier Jeremy Rockliff has announced that these payments will be available for every seven days a household meets the requirements.
‘While power has been restored to many households, the unprecedented scale of damage means that thousands of Tasmanians are still waiting to be reconnected,’ he said.
‘For households facing power outages for up to five weeks, this new payment means they are eligible for $10,000 in payments.’
The grants, capped at $10,000, opened for applications at 2 PM on Monday, 9 September.
'The funds are there for anyone who reaches the threshold. I'm advised that around 2,500 households or connections still need to be reconnected, so significant numbers,' Premier Rockliff stated.
‘We've made every effort to ensure the application process, whether it's the $250 or the $350, or in this case the $2,000, is as simple as possible.’
Residents in the state's northwest have felt the impact of the power outages, including Angela Wells, who relied on a generator for the essentials, such as keeping the fridge running and charging mobile phones.
‘Just the basics, and to plug the fridge in and keep things from perishing,’ Wells said.
‘We just sort of keep the fridge on for a few hours at night time, just enough to keep it ticking away.’
The community has rallied, with local establishments like the Railton Neighbourhood House storing food for those without power and offering support to isolated residents.
The local pub even opened its doors for people to use its camping shower and charge their devices.
‘I think it's been hard for people that are on their own,’ the neighbourhood house's chairperson Janine Poke said.
‘A few of those people come here, and we help them just by purely having company, coming here and interacting and having community.’
Down south, Ouse farmer Brett Gleeson shared his experience of being stranded due to flooding and the frustration of seeing his clean-up efforts washed away.
His family were stranded for three days in their home during the flooding of the River Derwent and when it overflowed last weekend.
‘We're back to square one,’ he said.
‘We're pretty self-sufficient there, we've always stocked up, so it's not that bad. We've got a generator. You've just got to soldier on and keep going.’
As the repair efforts continue, with crews from New South Wales flown in and workers from the south redirected to assist, TasNetworks is working tirelessly to restore power.
Jason King, Head of Network Operations, acknowledged the complexity of the remaining repairs and the frustration of those still waiting.
‘A lot of the customers that are off now are on the literal end of the line,’ Mr King said.
‘And when I mean end of the line, that could be 50 to 100 kilometres long, these lines, with 20 to 30 poles down and 20 to 30 different locations. So that's the complexity we're looking at.’
Despite the challenges, the commitment to restoring services is unwavering.
In addition to the living support payments, more than 6,000 people have already accessed emergency food grants previously made available to those who have spent 72 hours or longer without power.
