NSW: Carr wants work for dole teams to clean up storm damage

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-1999
NSW: Carr wants work for dole teams to clean up storm damage

SYDNEY, April 19 AAP - New South Wales Premier Bob Carr will ask the federal government for
work-for-the dole teams to help clean up Sydney's hailstorm damaged suburbs.

Mr Carr said today a state recovery coordinating committee, set up to manage the massive
clean-up, would ask Federal Employment Minister Tony Abbott for work-for-the-dole participants
to help local councils clean up the debris.

"We will be approaching the federal government to get the assistance of people under the
work-for-the-dole who can be usefully engaged at the direction of local councils," Mr Carr
told reporters.

"This will enable us to supplement the council staff ... I don't think the numbers required
will be very large.

"That's based on the advice we've got from local councils, that will be recruiting people
to make sure there are more than required on the ground, expediting the clean-up work".

Emergency Services Minister Bob Debus said the government could use a couple of hundred
work-for-the-dole workers.

Earlier today, Mr Abbott said he supported the idea, saying the wheels were already in
motion.

Mr Carr said the hailstorm was the worst in Sydney's history, with the insurance bill so
far exceeding $550 million.

He said the government would set up a one-stop shop in Gardeners Rd, Kensington, to help
storm affected residents.

"This one stop shop will particularly help elderly residents and those from non-English
speaking backgrounds to get the help they need," he said.

The committee would be approaching the Master Builders Association to get additional
tradespeople into affected areas, Mr Carr said.

"This was a method that worked in the aftermath of the earthquake in Newcastle ... we'll be
trying it again," he said.

Mr Carr said he was pleased with Energy Australia's decision to waive its $60 call-out fee
for safety repairs caused by the hailstorm.

AAP lk/sb/was

KEYWORD: HAILSTORM DOLE

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