CYCLONE MARCUS DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACTIVATED
Issued by Power & Water - 20 March 2018
Disaster assistance for people affected by Tropical Cyclone Marcus in the Northern Territory has now been activated.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-Territory Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
Minister for Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Angus Taylor said this has been a powerful category 2 cyclone that has had a major impact on Darwin, Palmerston and the rural area.
“The financial relief payments that have been activated will help people affected with their immediate emergency needs,” Mr Taylor said.
“Winds in excess of 130kms per hour have done significant damage, causing widespread power outages to around 30,000 households. 2,400 households are still without power.
“We will continue working with the Northern Territory Government to ensure that affected communities get the assistance they need to recover.”
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the immediate relief payment of $250 is now available for families who have been without power for over 72 hours.
“This $250 relief payment is to assist with the costs associated with being without power and can be applied for from today directly from the relief centres,” Mr Gunner said.
“We have now opened five Relief Centres for residents to apply for immediate payments if they are still without power.”
“People whose houses have been damaged may also be eligible for assistance to replace essential household contents and undertake essential household repairs.”
“Further assistance for the Territory through the NDRRA is being determined, as damage assessments and cost estimates become available in coming days.”
Further information regarding the location of relief centres and other important information is available from Territory Families.
Anyone suffering hardship should call Territory Families on (08) 8999 2908.
Information regarding the assistance available can be found on the Northern Territory Government’s emergency information and response website at securent.nt.gov.au and on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au.