Sampson Flat bushfire relief appeal funds distributed to Adelaide Hills families
Families who lost their homes in a devastating bushfire near Adelaide last month are now getting some of the money donated by South Australians to a relief appeal.
The first allocation is being made from the Sampson Flat bushfire relief fund after more than $1.5 million was donated.
The bushfire blackened about 13,000 hectares of the Adelaide Hills and destroyed 28 houses and hundreds of head of livestock.
Communities Minister Zoe Bettison said more than 220 applications for support had been considered so far.
"The generosity of South Australians ... has been incredible with more than 3,000 individuals and businesses donating more than $1.5 million to the appeal," she said.
Families earlier received emergency payments of up to $700 each from the Government's emergency relief fund.
Recovery coordinator Karlene Maywald said it took a while to follow through with distribution of appeal proceeds because people needed time to make their applications.
"That's why we've waited until we've had significant applications lodged. There are now over 200 of them lodged which is really important in assessing the needs of the community," she said.
"The experience is that in other areas, for example [after] the Victorian fires, that you know it can take 12-18 months, two years for people to get back on their feet and adjust to what the new normal might look like, so we don't actually put a timeline on that."
The head of the emergency relief fund committee Barry Grear said people affected by the bushfire still had time to apply for some of the cash.
"I encourage anyone who suffered loss or damage as a result of the bushfires to submit an application form if they have not already done so," he said.
Application forms are available from local councils, a recovery centre at Gumeracha or online.
