Joint media release with the Hon Steph Cooke MP
Jointly funded Commonwealth-State disaster assistance has been extended to another five local government areas (LGAs) following the June-July flood event.
The latest five LGAs to be included are Bogan, Brewarrina, Dubbo, Parkes and Parramatta.
This brings the total number of LGAs receiving assistance under the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to 49.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said the severe weather and flooding has now impacted regions within the west of the State due to river system flooding.
"We continue to see the Barwon and Namoi river systems impacted by flood waters from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland leaving councils with significant damage to road infrastructure," Minister Watt said.
"This is a widespread weather event that's impacting communities over an extended period of time, so we need to make sure that appropriate assistance is available as more damage becomes apparent."
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said many Government agencies will be involved in the recovery effort to support all communities and businesses across the 49 LGAs.
"New South Wales will continue working closely with the Commonwealth to put additional funding and resources into the ongoing recovery effort," Ms Cooke said.
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
- Help for eligible 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; and
- Freight subsidies for primary producers
For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest Recovery Centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au/floods.
To apply for a concessional loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
