Joint media release with the Hon Catherine King MP, acting Minister for Emergency Management, and the Hon Steph Cooke MP
A total of 76 local government areas (LGAs) are now subject to a natural disaster declaration as a result of the ongoing flooding across New South Wales.
The latest LGA to be declared a disaster zone is Wingecarribee in the Southern Highlands.
The disaster declaration triggers jointly funded disaster assistance available through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, including:
- Help for people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
- Support for local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
- Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
- Freight subsidies for primary producers.
Federal Acting Minister for Emergency Management Catherine King said the assistance makes crucial funding available for the council and community.
"This latest activation means the local council, business owners, farmers and individuals can now access extra support to help with the recovery process," Minister King said.
"We know it's going to be a long road to recovery for some communities. This has been a widespread flood over a large period of time, and as the full extent of the damage is identified, we continue to extend assistance to where it's needed."
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the persistent floodwaters made it a challenge to assess the damage.
"It has taken some time to understand and calculate the extent of damage caused by flooding in the Wingecarribee LGA for this weather event which first began on 14 September," Ms Cooke said.
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
To apply for a concessional loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit Rural Assistance Authority
Grants jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State governments have also been made available to small business owners, not-for-profit organisations, primary producers and rural landowners.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website, Disaster Assist.
