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Thursday, 28 February 2019
Media release

Joint media release with the Hon Troy Grant MP — Disaster assistance following severe storms and flooding across inland New South Wales

Disaster assistance has been made available to the local government areas of Bathurst Regional, Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops and Snowy Valleys in response to severe storms and floods that occurred on 11 and 12 January 2019.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, who has responsibility for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said the severe weather and flooding caused major disruption to communities.

"These storms significantly damaged public infrastructure including roads and bridges, disrupting transport routes across the region," Assistant Minister Reynolds said.

"A range of practical assistance measures are now available to support affected communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

"The Commonwealth and New South Wales governments are committed to working together to ensure disaster affected communities have assistance to help them recover."

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said the funding was being made available through the DRFA to support response operations, and repair flood damaged assets.

"Communities experienced significant losses and disruption due to flash flooding, localised hailstorms and numerous road closures," Minister Grant said.

"The NSW SES did an amazing job and responded to almost 200 Requests for Assistance, mostly relating to roof damage and fallen trees.

"This funding is about lending a helping hand so people can get back on their feet a little easier."

Assistance measures available under the DRFA may include:

  •  help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged;
  •  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;
  •  freight subsidies for primary producers; and,
  •  grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444. To apply for a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW emergency information and response website at emergency.nsw.gov.au.