Release date: 09/01/23

The South Australian Government will make one-off payments of $300 available to pensioners, concession card holders and other low-income earners who live in River Murray communities and are incurring significantly higher travel costs due to flooding.

More than 120 roads and 10 of the 13 River Murray ferry services have been closed due to flood conditions.

The Tailem Bend Ferry is at risk of closure within the next week due to flood waters impacting road access. Ferries and Cadell and Narrung may also need to close by mid-January as the peak continues down the river.

In some instances, the closures have added hours to the travel requirements of some residents.

The one-off $300 Travel Assistance Payments will be available to SA Government concession and Centrelink recipients whose principal place of residence is in one of the 9 affected council areas.

Pensioners, JobSeekers, Austudy and Abstudy recipients, DVA Gold Card, Low Income Health Care Card, and Commonwealth Seniors Card Holders will be able to apply, along with recipients of Family Tax Benefits A or B.

Applicants will be required to demonstrate they are required to undertake significant additional travel (at least 30 minutes more, 3 times a week).

Qualifying reasons include attendance at medical appointments, work, volunteering, to collect essential supplies or to attend to carer duties. The payment is not available for those seeking to travel for social reasons.

Applications can be made in person at Emergency Relief Centres (ERCs) in Berri, Mannum and Murray Bridge. Those who live significant distances from the ERCs and find it difficult to visit in person are encouraged to call the Relief Information Line on 1800 302 787.

Payments will be made via EFT where possible.

Quotes

Attributable to Peter Malinauskas

Even without a flood, we know the cost of fuel is a significant cost-of-living burden for low and fixed-income households.

The closure of roads and ferries has made it even tougher for some in River communities to get to the shops, attend appointments and care for friends and family.

This one-off payment is recognition of that fact.

My Government is acutely aware of the cost-of-living pressures being experienced by many in the community, which is why we doubled Cost-of-Living concessions upon coming to office.

Attributable to Stephen Mullighan

Many people are now forced to detour large distances when travelling around flood-affected areas.

These payments will help those most in need to meet the large costs of travel throughout flood-affected areas.

This is another way the State Government is working to help those impacted by the floods, with over $190 million of state and Commonwealth support committed so far.