News

Package to help residents, roads as clean up preparation begins

By Max Stainkamph

Oct 17, 2022

Damaged: Roads across Victoria were inundated by flooding and storms over the past week. Photo: Megan Fisher Photo by Megan Fisher

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said more than $165 million would be provided to help fix roads destroyed by floods and storms in the past week, while more than 11,000 people had applied for payment relief.

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The emergency road relief package will also cover larger works to completely rebuild some roads and bridges.

Mr Andrews said “there will need to be more money beyond that” and that would be announced over coming days, with further inspections of the more than 10,000 potholes across the state.

There were more than 350 roads closed across the state, and Mr Andrews said there would be a $150m for a coordinated clean-up effort and flood management plan for those in hardest hit areas.

He said more than 3000 payments had been approved from those who had applied.

“We’ll get them paid out as quickly as we possibly can,” he said.

“The fact that more than 11,000 people have applied gives you a sense of how many people are out of their homes.”

The Premier thanked the thousands upon thousands of volunteers who had helped over the past few days.

“They’re the best of us, and to many of those without a uniform, pitching in and helping friends and family is something they should be proud of them at this the most difficult of times,” Mr Andrews said.

“Can I thank each and every one of those volunteers doing an amazing job. We thank all of you.”

He said a lot of schools had closed due to flooding despite Year 12 exams coming next week.

“We’ll have more to say on Tuesday about what we’re doing for students starting exams,” he said.