A Natural Disaster Declaration has been issued for the MidCoast local government area, ensuring much-needed financial support will be made available to the region from the Australian and NSW Governments.
MidCoast Council Mayor Claire Pontin has welcomed the declaration, as flooding continues to cause widespread damage across the region.
"What has occurred over the last three days has been devastating to MidCoast communities and there is another long hard road to recovery ahead for all of us," said Mayor Pontin.
"With that in mind, it's reassuring to know that we won't be left to face it on our own."
Support has been made available to the MidCoast under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Support measures that may be provided include:
- Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres
- Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living
- Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition
- 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 and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property
- Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder
- Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.
"I have been speaking with Federal and State Ministers, local MPs and other Members of Parliament and they have all been very supportive and speedy in addressing issues I have raised with them," Mayor Pontin said.
"It's very much appreciated.
"Council has been advocating for additional community resilience staff to help the affected communities get back on their feet. We anticipate the NSW Reconstruction Authority will be up and running in Taree from next week to assist affected residents."
Mayor Pontin said the support to Council will be essential, as we will once again be involved in the recovery phase of this latest extreme weather event, once it moves beyond the immediate priorities of keeping services running and assisting with the emergency response.
"Planning is already underway at Council for the enormous waste collection operation that will be required once floodwaters recede, as well as how we can best support our community in the wake of this terrible event," she said.
"I also want to commend all the emergency service personnel and volunteers who are working around the clock to keep people safe. The Local Emergency Operations Centre is set up in our premises in Taree and it is heartening to see the enormous number of emergency services people, vehicles, and resources who are here to assist the community.
"Unfortunately, one MidCoast resident has lost their life and three people are missing. My thoughts go out to their families."
The MidCoast is one of 16 local government areas across the Hunter and Mid North Coast to be declared a natural disaster zone as a result of the heavy rainfall and extensive flooding that has occurred across the region.
