The Albanese and Minns Governments are delivering more funding to help communities recover from the recent severe flooding across the state.
This will include damage caused by East Coast severe weather and flooding in May and damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
This funding will provide direct support for residents, farmers, small businesses and non-profit organisations and includes help for people who have lost their homes.
Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with the new funding to provide immediate and longer-term assistance for individuals, families and communities affected by flooding.
Support includes:
- Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations to help clean up and restore their business.
- Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible primary producers directly impacted by flooding to help with clean-up and getting their operations back on track.
- Grants of up to $10,000 for eligible rural landholders to assist with clean-up, repairs and recovery work, including fixing damaged fences, infrastructure or equipment affected by East Coast severe weather and flooding.
- A $5 million program to clear drainage on private land following Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
- A $180 hardship payment for individuals, capped at $900 for households of five or more, to help cover essential items like food, clothing and medicine following the recent flood event.
This package is part of ongoing efforts to support flood-hit communities as they recover and rebuild.
The impacts of flooding on primary producers across the Mid North Coast and in the Hunter are serious. Flood impacted farmers and primary producers are being asked to complete the NSW Government's Primary Industries Natural Disaster Damage Assessment (PiNDDA) survey, once it is safe for them to do so which will inform future recovery.
The primary producer recovery grant of up to $25,000 supports the clean-up and the immediate recovery needs of primary producers and small businesses.
The NSW Government will continue to monitor the needs of impacted communities and will work with the Commonwealth on any additional assistance that may be necessary.
Recovery grants for primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations will be available in the local government areas of Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lake Macquarie, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, Maitland, MidCoast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Richmond Valley, Singleton, Tenterfield, Tweed, Upper Hunter and Walcha.
Grants for rural landholders will be available in the local government areas of Armidale, Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Walcha
Information on how to apply will be made available over coming days at www.nsw.gov.au/floodrecoveryupdates.
Quotes attributed to Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese:
"We know how tough this period has been for so many across New South Wales, and this funding is about making sure people get the support they need to recover and rebuild with dignity.
"This is a clear example of the Australian and NSW Governments working together to deliver real help on the ground where it's needed most.
"Whether it's helping families get back into safe housing, or supporting local businesses and farmers to clean up and keep going, we're standing with communities every step of the way."
Quotes attributed to Premier of NSW Chris Minns:
"This funding ensures people get the support they need now, whether it's a roof over their head, financial assistance or help rebuilding.
"The funding package recognises that people are doing it tough.
"We are making sure there's money for cleanup, to help farmers, and helping businesses get back on their feet.
"For a natural disaster of this size and scale, we're going to be with these communities for the long haul."
Quotes attributed to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:
"This significant funding commitment will deliver vital, practical support on the ground to help individuals, businesses and entire communities begin the long road to recovery after the devastating impacts of recent floods.
"We're working hand in hand with the NSW Government to ensure that recovery assistance is delivered efficiently to those who have been hardest hit and need help getting back on their feet.
"From hardship payments to clean up grants for primary producers and small businesses, this comprehensive package is focused on providing meaningful, targeted support that makes a real difference in people's daily lives."
Quotes attributed to NSW Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty:
"These grants, subsidies, and payments will help farmers and their families cover costs associated with clean-up and recovery, so they can get back to operating as soon as possible.
"We know it will be some time before the full extent of damage is known, so making these grants and subsidies available now will provide certainty to farmers as the impact continues to be evaluated.
"We encourage all farmers to submit full damage assessments to inform further assistance, if needed.
"The Rural Assistance Authority staff will available via the 1800 678 593 hotline to answer questions about the available support and to help people lodge their applications.
"Please lodge applications for this funding at the RAA website at http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/ and call the hotline if needed."
Quotes attributed to NSW Minister for Recovery and Small Business Janelle Saffin:
"This is about making sure that communities get the helping hand they need right now and the support they need so they can begin the long journey to recovery.
"We will keep working closely with our people in local governments, service providers and community organisations to ensure support reaches those who need it most."
