Tweed Mayoral Flood Appeal set to distribute first funds
09 June 2017
Thirty applicants to receive funds in first round
The first funds are set to be distributed next week from the Tweed Mayoral Flood Appeal, which has so far raised close to $300,000 for individuals, families and businesses affected by the devastating March/April flood event.
The purpose of the Mayoral Flood Appeal is to support individuals, households and businesses from the Tweed Shire who have been impacted by the flood with priority being given to those who have limited access or options to available funding, grants or insurances. Many individuals, schools, clubs and businesses have generously donated to the fund.
There were 186 applications for Round 1, which closed on 19 May. More than 75 per cent of the applications were from individuals and households, with the remainder from the business community.
Thirty applicants will receive funding from this first round. Eight were considered by the Independent Committee who assessed the applications as ineligible for funding. Allocations in this first round have been granted to applicants who have not been able to access or receive any of the available funding schemes or insurance payouts. Payment will be by bank transfers and/or Robina Town Centre vouchers. The shopping centre management generously donated $10,000 in vouchers to the appeal.
The remaining 148 applications will be carried over and considered in Round 2. Around 80 per cent of appeal funds have been held over for distribution in Round 2 to enable applicants who are awaiting advice on insurance decisions, Disaster Recovery Payments or Category C payments for businesses, are provided with more time for their status to be determined.
There’s still time for others affected by the flood to apply, with Round 2 opening on 19 June and closing 7 July. It is anticipated that the assessment of applications and distribution of funds will occur the week of 17 July 2017.
An Independent Committee - chaired by Mr Brian Wilkinson (Independent Member of Council's Audit Committee) – reviewed the applications for assistance. Other committee members were: Jane Crowe (Executive Director Community Options Australia), Anne Briggs (Executive Officer Northern Rivers Food) and Tim Williamson (Assistant Regional Manager Southern Qld Northern Coastal NSW – AusIndustry. The Mayor of Tweed, Cr Katie Milne, participated only as an observer of the process. Council’s Internal Auditor and Director of Corporate Services provided governance and administrative support to the committee.
Mr Wilkinson said the committee acknowledged the urgency for people directly impacted by the floods to have notification of the status of their applications for Mayoral Appeal Funding.
“We take our responsibilities in assessing the applications extremely seriously. We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we manage this process,” Mr Wilkinson said.
Mayor of Tweed, Councillor Katie Milne, said she appreciated the professional and compassionate approach and care taken by the Independent Assessment Committee members.
“They volunteered their time to participate, and were exceptionally genuine and all deeply moved by the devastating impacts the flood events have had on our community and their respect of every application was evident,” Councillor Katie Milne said.
For more information on the Mayoral Appeal, see http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/MayorAppealFund or call (02) 6670 24000, where Council staff can assist you with your application once Round 2 opens.