AS flood-impacted communities continue with the clean-up effort ahead, Greater Shepparton City Council have set up a Flood Community Recovery Hub at the Senior Citizens Centre.
Mayor Cr Shane Sali said the Hub is a “one-stop-shop” for those needing assistance, with a wide range of health and wellbeing, food relief, insurance, legal and multicultural agencies present, as well as representatives from State and Commonwealth Government agencies, who can provide support with accessing financial assistance.
This may vary each day but generally includes agencies like Agriculture Victoria, Australian Red Cross, Ethnic Council, Services Australia, Salvos, State School Relief, and many more. There are also representatives from insurance companies, like QBE/Elders, RACV, Allianz, Suncorp and others.
There are interpreters on-site covering Arabic, Dari, Punjabi, Hindi, Turkish and Swahili.
Council is also coordinating a free clean-up service with Disaster Relief Australia (DRA). Flooding can cause sewerage to overflow inside your home, damage gas or electricity supplies, affect the structural integrity of your home, or create hazardous mould growth that must be addressed before moving back in.
Over the coming weeks, Council’s environmental health officers and building officers will visit flood damaged properties to identify and provide advice on health and building related matters, such as checking septic tank systems, mould or any structural concerns.
Houses identified as flood damaged are eligible for assistance from DRA, who can assist with the removal of damaged home contents such as furniture, appliances and personal items, as well as removal or carpets and pressure washing. The DRA clean-up involves moving damaged items from homes to kerb for collection.
There are seven collection zones throughout Greater Shepparton, with each zone being assigned a day of the week for collections over a period of four weeks. To register for DRA assistance, visit Council’s website.
You can drop into the Hub on Monday-Wednesday and Fridays 10am-4pm or Thursday 12 noon – 6pm. Limited parking is available at rear, with additional parking on Marungi Street, Shepparton.
