Disaster assistance is now available in the northern New South Wales local government areas of Glen Innes, Severn and Inverell Shires following severe storms and flooding from 16 July 2021 onwards.
Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
“The severe winds and heavy rainfall resulting from these terrible storms caused widespread damage across the impacted councils,” Minister Joyce said.
“The Australian Government is standing with the people of New England who were sadly impacted by the severe flooding and storms in July.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie, said a range of practical assistance measures are now available to help individuals, primary producers, small businesses and charities get back on track.
“This event caused significant damage to local roads and residential properties, due to flooding and a high number of fallen trees,” Minister McKenzie said.
“The disaster assistance we’re making available from today includes grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes.
“These grants will make a real difference for many local families throughout the Glen Innes, Severn and Inverell shire regions.”
New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon David Elliott said these events led to a significant response from the NSW State Emergency Services, including a flood rescue.
“The assistance being announced today will also help cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets, such as roads,” Minister Elliott said.
“This is all about delivering a range of practical assistance measures help communities and individuals get back on their feet.”
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
- Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria applies)
- 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 Service NSW on 13 77 88. To apply for a concessional loan or grant, 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 www.disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW Government website via www.nsw.gov.au/resilience-nsw.