Flooded Community Residents in Urgent Need of Help

16 April, 2010

Flooded Community Residents in Urgent Need of Help

16 April, 2010

The Federal Government has been asked to immediately declare the flood evacuated Aboriginal village of Weilmoringle a natural disaster area.

The urgent request has been sent by the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council's North West Region representative, Steve Gordon.

Councillor Gordon's request is contained in an urgent letter which has been faxed to the Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin.

Councillor Gordon has explained that  more than 50 members of the community have been relocated to other areas because of the flood damage in and around Weilmoringle.

Residents have been relocated to Brewarrina, Dubbo, Burke and Forbes.

Councillor Gordon has advised the Minister the residents have been advised they will not be able to return to their homes for at last another three to four weeks following the declaration of Weilmoringle as an emergency zone by the New South Wales Government.

"I have advised Minister Macklin that I have received dozens of calls from former residents seeking emergency assistance while they are living away from home and to also ultimately help them get back home," Councillor Gordon said today.

"I understand Minister Macklin has the power to declare Weilmoringle a natural disaster area which would allow those affected to access emergency financial assistance from Centrelink," he added.

"On behalf of the many residents who have contacted myself and other Aboriginal organisations in the region I have asked Minister Macklin to urgently consider doing so.

I can only hope she will act to help alleviate the plight of those who now find themselves in hardship."

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Further information:  Chris Graham  0407  555 328

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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