31 local government areas now subject to natural disaster declarations
Jointly funded Commonwealth-State disaster assistance is now available in 31 local government areas (LGAs) following severe flooding which began on 14 September and continues to impact large parts of New South Wales.
Assistance has been extended to the LGAs of Central Coast, Coonamble, Goulburn Mulwaree and Parkes.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt, said some regions had been subjected to multiple flooding events this year.
“These kind of repeated events can take their toll on communities who are trying to recover. We stand ready to assist wherever needed,” Minister Watt said.
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said almost every river system west of the Great Dividing Range is experiencing flooding.
“A significant number of households, business owners and primary producers continue to be impacted by this widespread flood event. More rain is on the way this week, which will only exacerbate the severe flooding in our regional, rural and remote communities,” Ms Cooke said.
“Declaring a natural disaster is the first step we can take in unlocking assistance and New South Wales will continue working closely with the Commonwealth to put additional funding and resources into the ongoing response and recovery effort.”
The 31 LGAs now subject to a natural disaster declaration are: Blayney, Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Cabonne, Central Coast, Coonamble, Cowra, Dubbo, Edward River, Forbes, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Lachlan, Lithgow, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Mid-Western, Narrabri, Narromine, Parkes, Tamworth, Upper Lachlan, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle and Weddin.
Disaster assistance has also been extended to the Cowra LGA for the severe flooding which began on 27 June.
Disaster assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
- Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply);
- Support for 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
- Freight subsidies for primary producers.
For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, Recovery Centre locations and more, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au/floods.
To apply for a concessional interest rate loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
Further information on disaster assistance can also be found at www.recovery.gov.au.
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