Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, The Hon David Littleproud MP
NSW Minister for Police nd Emergency Services, The Hon David Elliott MP
Disaster assistance is now available in the local government areas of Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and Newcastle, in response to recent severe storms and floods along the New South Wales coast.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the extreme weather wreaked havoc and widespread disruption to local communities, and threatened life and property.
"This was a serious disaster event that caused significant damage to roads, motor vehicles, businesses and residential properties," Minister Littleproud said.
"Through the DRFA, a range of practical assistance measures are now available to help individuals recover and to help councils with ongoing clean-up and repairs to infrastructure."
New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the SES received more than 2,400 Requests for Assistance, including flood rescues.
"Communities experienced significant losses and disruption due to damaging winds and flooding," Minister Elliott said.
"The assistance being announced today will help cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets, such as roads."
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
- help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged
- support for affected 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, and
- grants to eligible non-profit organisations
