2015-06-23 I&S Agenda - Item 5 - Local Disaster Recovery Plan - Attachment 2

                             Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Plan 2015/2016

 the person’s principal place of residence has been destroyed or has sustained major
  damage or
 the person is the principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the
  above

Claims maybe lodged at Centrelink offices or at designated recovery centres established in
the disaster area.

17.2 Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy Payment (DIRS)
The Australian Government Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy may be offered to provide
ex-gratia financial assistance to employees, small business persons and farmers who have
experienced a loss of income as a direct result of a specific event.

The payment is subject to an income test to determine eligibility. Claims maybe lodged at
Centrelink Offices or at designated recovery centres established in the disaster area.


18.      Coordination of donations and offers of assistance
Following disasters, it is frequently the case that offers of assistances such as financial,
goods and services, contra-arrangements or the donation of a person’s time, start to
overwhelm the affected area.

History has shown that most disaster affected areas are unable to cope with a large influx of
donations or offers of assistance; often resulting in problems such as:
     stewardship
     proper disbursement
     disposal of donations that did not fit the needs of the affected community
     storage issues
     health issues relating to donated food that has spoiled
     difficulty arranging effective means of donation transportation or delivery
     an inability to match offers of services with current needs

In order to assist with the management of donations to affected communities following a
disaster event the Noosa LDRC will work with GIVIT a not for profit organization to manage
all donations of material items for the disaster. GIVIT will accept pledges of donations from
individuals and businesses via its website at GIVIT.org.au and then work with charity and
front line services to access donated goods and services.

Ultimately the best and most versatile way of helping disaster affected communities is
through a cash donation to a reputable disaster relief agency. In this way funds can be
allocated according to need, e.g. to purchase goods locally, the reconstruction of disaster
affected areas, provision of medicine or food etc.

Where possible a wide spread blanket approach to distribution of funds should be minimised
or discouraged to avoid raising community expectations that immediate assistance will be
forthcoming for all disaster events. It is now known such assistance can foster community
belief there is no longer a requirement for the community to take responsibility for their
safety, recovery or basic measures to protect their property. If possible eligibility for financial
assistance should be assessed on a case by case basis.

While all efforts should be made to show appreciation in the spirit in which offers of
assistance are made, the Local Disaster Recovery Committee should work with the LDMG
and disaster relief agencies in providing media releases on what is and is not needed at a
very early stages of response and/or recovery.


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