An additional $551.7 million will be provided to support flood affected communities across New South Wales as part of the next round of Commonwealth and New South Wales Government funding.
This funding builds on the initial $434.7 million in joint funding announced last week, to provide support for families, communities and businesses to recover from the devastating floods, totaling almost $1 billion in support across New South Wales.
This additional funding will provide support to small businesses, primary producers, councils, households, and families hard hit by the devastating floods.
The new funding provides $285.2 million for the new Temporary Housing Support package, which will support those on the Northern Rivers who cannot live in their homes while they're being repaired or have lost their home entirely. It's estimated that this could assist up to 25,000 households, and includes;
- Immediate hotel accommodation, to provide accommodation for four nights, with flexibility to increase while people make interim arrangements.
- Grants towards initial rental costs, from $6,000 for an individual up to $18,000 for a six person household
- Utilising Mobile Motor Homes and Recreation Camps for medium term accommodation
- Extending the Temporary Dwelling Program, which allows people to stay on their land in a caravan or demountable, for example.
There are also supports for 45 Local Government Areas to help with the removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste.
Grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers and up to $50,000 for small businesses and not for profit organisations devastated by flooding will also be extended to the additional 28 disaster declared LGAs, delivered by the Rural Assistance Authority and Service NSW.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this support package would help families, communities and businesses as they continue their recovery.
"We will continue to stand side by side with those affected by these devastating floods, from the initial emergency response, to the clean-up and as they look to the future," the Prime Minister said.
"Supporting the immediate housing needs is a further critical area of support. There are many more steps ahead of us to restore these devastated communities that experienced the equivalent of an inland tsunami.
"This next phase of funding is in addition to the Commonwealth's Disaster Relief Payment of $1,000 and the 13-week income replacement for employees and small businesses, which has so far provided $310 million in support to more than 268,000 recipients."
Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was vital the thousands of people who had been displaced were able to get started with their recovery.
"This support package will help those impacted by the floods to get back on their feet as quickly as possible," Premier Perrottet said.
"Rebuilding won't be a quick process and that is why we are using a flexible approach to provide people with the help they need now and into the future so communities can rebuild their homes and businesses as quickly as possible."
Since 22 February, 45 LGAs have been declared as disaster areas and are eligible for support through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said this was the next phase of support offered by the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments.
"Working together we are able to respond to the needs of the community as recovery starts, and I am continuing to work with my state counterparts to get the right support delivered to our communities," Minister McKenzie said.
NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole said all available resources will be allocated to help communities that were already reeling from consecutive disasters.
"This flooding emergency has impacted thousands of people but we are working around the clock to make sure support is available for everyone who needs it," Deputy Premier Toole said.
"We know the recovery will be long but we have the backs of the regional communities and we will be with them every step of the way in the weeks, months and years ahead."
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said there were now numerous support options being delivered, including the locally-based Recovery Centres.
"As flood waters recede, we are setting up these one-stop shops for our flood-affected communities to register for clean-up services, financial assistance, insurance and legal support, business support and mental health services," Minister Cooke said.
"The Recovery Centres will stay open for as long as necessary as will the Customer Care specialists which are available on 13 77 88."
The new package includes;
- $285 million Temporary Housing Support package
- $75,000 primary producers and the $50,000 small business and not-for-profit grants extended to all disaster declared LGAs
- $1 million grants to additional 28 impacted councils to assist with their immediate social, built, economic and environmental needs.
- $90 million to assist with the clean-up and removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste for the additional 28 disaster declared LGAs
