Disaster assistance is now available in the local government areas of Hilltops, Upper Lachlan, Weddin and Wingecarribee following severe storms from 28 November onwards. Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the severe winds resulting from the storms caused widespread damage across the impacted councils.
"This event caused significant damage to local roads, businesses and residential properties, due to a high number of fallen trees and debris" Minister Littleproud said.
"Through the DRFA, a range of practical assistance measures are now available to help councils with ongoing clean-up and repairs to infrastructure."
New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said, "This event led to power outages, road closures and a significant response from the NSW State Emergency Services."
"The assistance being announced today will help cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets, such as roads."
"A range of practical assistance measures are also available to help individuals get back on their feet."
"This assistance includes grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes."
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
- help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
- 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
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88. To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au
Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website and the NSW emergency information website.
