The Australian and New South Wales governments have extended the support committed following the extensive floods in NSW in February and March to include those impacted by the most recent July event.
Funding will go towards grants for primary producers, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and councils, clean-up efforts and expanding the property assessment program in disaster-declared areas.
The investment also builds on the support already provided to the 37 disaster-declared local government areas under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The package is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments and includes:
- $80 million committed to assist with the clean-up and removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste;
- Grants of up to $75,000 to assist primary producers that have suffered direct damage;
- $1 million grants to each impacted council (the 37 declared local government areas) to assist with their immediate recovery costs;
- $36 million committed for a building assessment program for flooded properties, and free demolition of those found to be uninhabitable; and
- Grants of up to $50,000 to assist small business and not-for-profit organisations that have suffered direct damage.
In addition, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to affected adults and children in the 37 disaster-declared local government areas. Almost 528,000 people affected by the severe storms and flooding in New South Wales have already received more than $436 million in Australian Government disaster assistance.
For further information on the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and other support, visit www.recovery.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
I have seen first-hand the devastation many people now face in NSW.
To see your home, your business and your livelihood disappear under floodwaters is incredibly traumatic.
As we emerge from this disaster, the scale of the recovery effort is becoming clearer and it will be a long road for many.
This additional funding is another step towards helping people get their lives back on track.
Quotes attributable to Premier of New South Wales Dominic Perrottet:
The floods have had a devastating impact on so many communities across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra, Central Coast and Hunter, causing upheaval to both lives and livelihoods.
Many of these communities have been hit by multiple flood events in the last two years and this package is designed to deliver immediate support to help people get back on their feet and rebuild their lives as quickly as possible.
We are going to be with communities every step of the way and each of these jointly funded programs will provide vital support to help households, businesses and councils to clean up and recover from these devastating floods.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:
We need to reassure people that the support they need is available when the floodwaters recede – they can’t be left wondering.
This funding package is being announced to ensure impacted communities can commence immediate recovery works.
Quotes attributable to New South Wales Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean:
Residents are reeling from this latest flood event and this funding will ensure that all those who have been affected can access immediate help.
We are committed to supporting our flood-affected communities and getting them back on their feet as quickly as possible.
Quotes attributable to New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke:
I would encourage anyone impacted by this most recent flood event to reach out to Service NSW and find out what you are eligible for.
We will continue working in collaboration with all levels of government to support individuals, families, farmers and business owners on the long road the recovery.