Financial assistance is now available for some La Trobe businesses affected by prolonged power outages following severe storms on 29 October.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
La Trobe Jason Wood MP said the ‘Prolonged Power Outage Support Payment’ will help local businesses that remain without power or were without power for more than seven days.
“Financial support of $2,500 per week, for up to three weeks, has been extended to all eligible businesses without power across La Trobe,” he said.
“Our local businesses are the heart of La Trobe, and we know they’ve are doing it tough without essential power. This assistance will alleviate some of their financial burden and help to keep them going under these difficult circumstances.
“Eligible businesses can use the ‘Prolonged Power Outage Support Payment’ to pay wages, rent and other activities needed to keep their doors open.”
By sinking power lines, not only is community safety assured, but the environmental and financial costs of blackouts are heavily reduced, he said.
“This disaster assistance will be an important contribution to our recovery as we rebuild and get back on track together. I am very keen to see power lines go underground, as I have never seen so many blackouts,” Mr Wood said.
Businesses with an annual payroll of less than $10 million can apply for $2,500 per week for up to three weeks if they were without power as of 12.01am Friday 5 November 2021.
AusNet Services and United Energy will administer the Prolonged Power Outage Support Payment and contact eligible customers.
Information on disaster assistance is also available on the Australian Government’s website at disasterassist.gov.au.
