Joint media release with the Hon Janelle Saffin MP
The Albanese and Minns Governments have extended disaster assistance to five additional Local Government Areas (LGAs) in response to recent severe weather including heavy rainfall and snow.
The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration now includes Armidale, Dungog, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter, in addition to the previously declared LGAs of Gunnedah, Narrabri, Tamworth, Uralla and Walcha.
Support is being provided under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to help impacted communities recover and rebuild.
Assistance 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.
More information on disaster assistance can be found at
nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery and
disasterassist.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain MP
“Extending this assistance reflects our understanding of just how deeply these recent storms have affected people’s lives, and our commitment to being there every step of the way as communities recover.”
“Through the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, we are ensuring that residents, businesses, and local councils impacted by this severe weather can access practical help quickly, when they need it most.”
“Our priority is to stand alongside every affected community, helping them rebuild their homes, restore essential services, and prepare for whatever challenge the future may bring.”
Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin MP
“Many areas across our state were hit hard by this latest severe weather event”.
“The damage is widespread and we’re acting quickly to help communities get back on their feet.”
“The Minns Government has worked closely with the Australian Government to activate support which will meet immediate community needs and support the significant clean-up efforts now underway.”
