The Australian Bushfires have caused a devastating impact on countless lives in South Australia and around the country. We’ve compiled a list of important services and support that people in bushfire affected regions can access in times of crisis.
SA Support and Services:
Bushfire Ready for Horse Owners:
Horse SA is providing a free event on Wednesday the 19th of February to assist those who need to transport horses out of fire ravaged properties. This workshop will be held at Cherry Gardens Memorial Hall, (316 Cherry Gardens Road, Cherry Gardens 5157).
For more information, visit Bushfire Ready for Horses, call (61) 0402488306 or email: [email protected]
Foodbank SA:
Foodbank SA is providing donations to people in need of food and other essential items (including sanitary products and toilet paper).
For more information, visit Foodbank or call (08) 8351 1136.
Free Cat Boarding at Paws Galore Veterinary Centre:
Paws Galore Veterinary Centre in Christies Beach are offering free boarding for cats for those who have lost their homes and had to evacuate their homes in bushfire regions. Currently, Paws Galore have vacancies for cats needing long and short term boarding.
For more information, visit Paws Galore Veterinary Centre or call (08) 8382 8055 from 8:30am-7pm. Paws Galore is located at 145/147 Beach Road, Christies beach, 5165.
Free Counselling and Trauma Support:
Fleurieu Wellbeing is offering free counselling and trauma support to anyone affected by the bushfires.
For more information, visit Fleurieu Wellbeing or call (08) 7444 4878 or 0422 400 620.
Free Photocopying And Scanning:
Save any important documents at the office of Leon Bignall MP in Kangaroo Island. Leon is offering free printing, photocopying, scanning and any other administrative need every day this week from 10am-3pm. His office is located on Dauncey Street, Kingscote, Kangaroo Island.
For more information, call Leon’s office on 85565722 or email [email protected].
Grants And Financial Assistance – Government of South Australia (Department of Human Services)
Re-establishment Grants up to $10,000 for Bushfire Residents.
Personal Hardship Emergency Grants for SA residents directly affected by the Cudlee Creek fire are advised to apply for one-off emergency grants to assist with immediate, temporary relief: $700 per family or $280 per individual.
Disaster Recovery Allowance is a short-term payment to help residents of severely affected areas. If eligible for the grant, residents will receive $1,000 per adult and $400 for reach child under 16-years of age.
For assistance in grants application, Member for Kavel, Dan Cregan (8391 5599) will be offering free consultations. He is located at 48 Hutchinson Street, Mount Barker. Member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie (83985566) will also be available for these consultations. Rebekha’s office is located at 1/72 Gawler Street, Mount Barker.
For more information, visit the Government of South Australia and the Department of Human Services.
Harvest of India Port Noarlunga:
Harvest of India Restaurant Port Noarlunga is offering free food for people in affected bushfire regions. They are currently offering free meals for up to 500 people each day.
For more information, visit Harvest of India Port Noarlunga or call (08) 8326 8832. Harvest of India Port Noarlunga is located at 24 Saltfleet Street, Port Noarlunga, 5167.
Kangaroo Island Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund:
Bushfire affected residents of Kangaroo Island will be provided with free blankets, clothes and bedding.
For more information, visit the KI Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund.
Lobethal Bushfire Recovery:
The Lobethal Bushfire Recovery is a volunteer service aimed to support the community who have been affected by the 2019 bushfires.
For more information and updates, visit Lobethal Bushfire Recovery.
Meals for Fire Affected Families:
Meals for Fire Affected Families is a Facebook Group which provides details on free meals for those affected, working or in the vicinity of South Australian bushfires. This is a volunteer initiative and provides local support in SA.
For more information, join the Meals for Affected Families on Facebook.
Mt. Barker State Emergency Relief and Recovery Centre:
Recovery and relief centre located at Mt. Barker High School, 2 Wellington Road, Mount Barker.
Relief Centres South Australia:
Locate your closest relief centre in SA for access to food, water, bedding, clothes and advice about bushfires.
For more information, visit Disaster Recovery.
South Australian Country Women’s Association Emergency Aid Fund:
An initiative run by the Country Women’s Association to provide assistance to families and farmers in need. Applications for up to $3,000 for expenses including utilities, food, medical bills and clothes are currently being considered. Families may also apply for for the Farm Household Allowance where they can receive $750 per week for a four-week period.
For more information, visit the South Australian Country Women’s Association website or call (08) 8332 4166
SA Recovery Personal Hardship Grants:
SA Recovery is currently offering Personal Hardship Emergency Grants of up to $700 per family (or $280 per individual adult) for people directly affected by the Kangaroo Island bushfires.
For more information on how to apply, phone the Recovery Hotline on 1800 302 787 or visit an Emergency Relief Centre in SA.
SeaLink Evacuation Ferry from Kangaroo Island:
SeaLink is currently working with Kangaroo Island authorities to provide ferry transport from bushfire affected regions in K.I.
For more information on this service, visit Sealink for ferry timetables and availability or call 13 13 01 after 8am.
Nationwide Support and Services:
AGL Support For Volunteer Firefighters:
AGL is offering support for Australian volunteer firefighters by providing with a $150 credit per customer on their electricity and gas bills. Registered volunteer firefighters should provide their volunteer ID numbers to AGL and the bill relief will be applied to the next bill.
For more information, visit AGL or call 13 12 45.
Australian Passport Office replacement passports:
The Australian Passport Office is offering free replacement passports for bushfire victims around Australia.
For more information, visit The Australian Passport Office or call 131 232.
Australian Defence Force Fire Shelter:
The Australian Defence Force has opened bases in New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and South Australia providing support for people needing short-term evacuation assistance. Those affected by bushfires can seek shelter at any Defence base during emergencies.
For more information, visit The Department of Defence or call 1300 333 362.
Commonwealth Bank Emergency Assistance Package:
Commonwealth Bank is offering an emergency assistance package for customers and businesses affected by the Australian bushfires.
For more information, visit Commonwealth Bank or call the Comm Bank Special Assistance line on 132607 or the Business Financial Assistance Line on 13 26 07.
NAB Bushfire Grant:
NAB customers who have lost their homes in the Australian bushfires can immediately access a $2,000 grant to assist with food, clothing, medical and accomodation costs. Funds will be transferred to customer accounts as early as the next business day. NAB employees who have lost their homes are also eligible to apply for a $1,000 emergency grant.
For more information, visit NAB or call the Emergency Claims Assistance Line anytime on 1300 555 013.
Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites Bushfire Support:
Oaks Hotels & Resorts are currently running the ‘Home Away from Home Initiative’, a crisis-support service for victims of the Australian bushfires. This service will provide seven nights of free accomodation for families in need of shelter.
Those eligible for the offer must be an Australian resident over eighteen years of age, must produced a valid letter from an insurance company, fire or police services, can provide details of their connection with an impacted property and lastly, those who can show evidence that their home requires rebuild or substantial refurbishment.
For more information on these terms and conditions and hotel locations, visit Oaks Hotels & Resorts.
Phone Support For Volunteer Firefighters:
Vodafone, Telstra and Optus are waiving any mobile network usage charges for all volunteer firefighters on their January 2020 bills.
For more information, visit Vodafone, Telstra and Optus.
Red Cross Emergency Grants:
The Red Cross has launched an emergency grants program to support individuals and communities affected by severe bushfires across the country. Grants are available to people across the country whose primary place of residence has been destroyed or made uninhabitable or unfit to live in. Each household can apply for $2,000 with funds provided as a contribution to meet basic recovery needs.
For more information on how to apply, visit The Red Cross.
Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal:
The Salvation army is providing meals to evacuees and first-responders through their Salvos bushfire appeal.
For more information, visit The Salvation Army.
St. Vincent de Paul Society Bushfire Appeal:
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is currently assisting with bills, clothing, bedding and food to those who have been devastated by the bushfires.
For more information, visit the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society is currently assisting with bills, clothing, bedding and food to those who have been devastated by the bushfires.
For more information, visit the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Telstra Free Payphone Calls:
As of Monday January 6, Telstra will make their payphone network around the country available to provide no-cost local, national and standard mobile phone calls. Payphones with equipped Wi-Fi networks will also be made free to access.
For more information, visit Telstra.
For inclusions, please email [email protected]
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