Joint media release with Janelle Saffin MP
Disaster assistance is now available in the Lismore and Tweed Shire Local Government Areas (LGAs) following impacts of flooding from 31st December 2023.
The assistance measures are being provided by the Albanese and Minns Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
DRFA support includes:
- Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the heavy rain and subsequent flooding delivered more than 300 millimetres of rain across parts of the Northern Rivers right on New Year's Eve.
"I want to thank those who put their own Christmas plans on hold to start the clean-up efforts and I want to assure those whose lives have been disrupted that we will support them through their recovery."
"The Albanese Government is pleased to work with the Minns Government and local Councils to ensure we're all sharing the load, and that Councils get the support they need to continue carrying out essential work."
NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said flood impacted communities will be supported and many impacted residents were still recovering from the devastating flooding of 2022.
"The Northern Rivers faced a challenging start to the year with heavy rain which is why we are unlocking assistance for councils to clean up impacted areas and to restore vital infrastructure like roads and bridges, helping communities to remain connected," Parliamentary Secretary Saffin said.
Tweed MP Justine Elliot said the North Coast experienced over 300mm of rain at the beginning of this year, resulting in damage to many local communities.
"This is welcome funding for our local Councils to support the clean-up and restoring damaged public assets following yet another damaging rain event."
"The Albanese Labor Government has been providing support and funding for our community which was devastated by the floods. To date, the Federal Government and New South Wales Governments have collectively committed over $3.4 billion for disaster funding in the region."
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 the NSW Government website.
To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit the Rural Assistance Authority website.
Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website.
