Here to help: City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali at the Community Recovery Hub set up at Shepparton's Senior Citizens Centre.
Photo by
Max Stainkamph
A Community Recovery Hub has opened in Shepparton, bringing 20 flood recovery services together in a one-stop shop for victims of the October floods.
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The hub has been set up at Shepparton’s Senior Citizens Centre for people who need advice or support with insurance, counselling, legal or financial issues and more.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said more hubs would open in the coming weeks and months, with the facility to stay open as long as it was needed.
“Walk in, someone will greet you and direct you to the right area; there's plenty of people here on the ground to support those community members that are still impacted,” he said.
He said it was a “big effort” to get the hub open so quickly but added that the region had put in several big efforts, from sandbagging to rescues and now the recovery.
Beware of mould: Suncorp chief operating officer insurance Paul Smeaton says people should remove flood-damaged home contents to avoid mould.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“As I’ve said multiple times, no one organisation can do this,” he said.
“There’s more than 20 involved in this recovery process and everyone is supporting together and no doubt as time progresses it’ll get better and more supportive and we’ll have other locations arrive.”
One of those set up at the hub is the customer service team from Suncorp, which was brought in to help people on the ground lodge claims.
Suncorp, whose brands include AAMI and Apia, has flood claims for 134 homes in Shepparton and 172 in Mooroopna.
“For a lot of people it’s their first time lodging a claim, so while you can go online or call, some people are a bit nervous and want someone to talk to,” Suncorp chief operating officer insurance AAMI Paul Smeaton said.
Mr Smeaton encouraged people whose homes were flooded to lodge a claim as soon as they could and throw out affected items.
On the ground: Paul Smeaton visits the Community Recovery Hub in Shepparton on Thursday, November 3. Photo: Rechelle Zammit.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“In flood, the enemy is mould,” he said.
“Any carpets or contents if it’s been wet get it out of the house and if you’re worried about it, take photos and samples.”
Once a claim is made, insurers arrange any temporary work to make a home safe, arrange temporary accommodation or advance payments for lost clothing or items if needed, before starting the assessment process.
“We’re hoping to be finished with all the assessments next week for the Shepparton area — I know that’s a concern for the community,” Mr Smeaton said.
“We’ll stay here until we’re not needed.”
When the assessment is complete and customers agree on the scope of works, the rebuild can get under way.
“There’s good builders’ capacity so I don’t see this being a long rebuild process,” Mr Smeaton said.
The Community Recovery Hub is located at 132 Welsford St, Shepparton.
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