Premier’s praise

By Lia Bichel
Premier Ted Baillieu visited Pakenham on Sunday to assess the flood damage and to assure residents they would get continuing support from the State Government.
He was joined by Deputy Premier Peter Ryan, Bass MP Ken Smith, Gembrook MP Brad Battin and Eastern Victoria Region MP Edward O’Donohue.
Mr Baillieu thanked the SES for its work and commended its members for the way they managed the evacuation of Kooweerup residents.
“The agencies got it right. We should be grateful,” Mr Baillieu said.
“Local knowledge has prevailed to benefit Kooweerup. There has been an inundation of property but not of homes– I think that is a reflection of local storm management.”
Mr Ryan agreed.
“The timing of the warning was brilliant,” he said.
“The Bunyip River was running to the brink. Thankfully no one was injured or killed. I commend the agencies and volunteers who continue to do a magnificent job.”
SES regional operations manager Wayne Roberts said volunteers attended hundreds of jobs in the area and said their work would continue after the water subsided.
“It’s going to take time,” he said. “It will take a day or so to figure out the extent of the damage.”
Mr Baillieu asked residents to be patient during the clean-up process and urged them be cautious near flood waters.
“Obviously in the past 24 to 48 hours we have experienced a significant amount of rainfall,” he said.
“There will be some interruption to services. We ask Victorians to be patient and use the same commonsense they have used in the past days and months.
“Please do not drive through, ride through, walk through or play in flood waters.”
The State Government on Sunday announced a comprehensive package to support flood-affected communities. It will include financial grants, drinking water and sanitary supplies for affected schools and children’s centres, extension of the kindergarten fee subsidy to eligible families and co-ordination of psycho-social support services.
Grants of up to $25,950 are available through the Department of Human Services for those in extreme hardship whose homes are uninhabitable.
For assistance or advice people should call the Insurance Council of Australia 24-hour hotline 1300 728 228.
Residents seeking advice about how to apply for grants should phone the SES Flood Information Line on 1300 842 737. Information about the grants can also be accessed at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency. Those seeking emergency flood help should call the SES for immediate assistance on 132 500.
For details on flood assistance go to www.education.vic.gov.au and for training check out website www.skills.vic.gov.au