The Australian and New South Wales Governments have today activated large recovery grant packages for communities impacted by the flood disaster.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, welcomed the inclusion of the activation of Category D assistance through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Through the DRFA, small businesses can access up to $50,000 in grants for direct damage, and primary producers can access payments of up to $75,000 where direct damage has occurred, on a cost shared basis.

These grants were put in place for communities during the 2021 floods. The costs of the Category D assistance will be shared equally between the Australian and NSW Governments.

The following funding package is being announced to ensure impacted communities can commence immediate recovery works once floodwaters recede:

• $210 million to assist affected communities with the clean-up and removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste. This will enable Local Government Areas to work with Resilience NSW and NSW Government agencies to coordinate clean-up activities in their communities.
• $111.5 million to support recovery grants of up to $75,000 to assist primary producers that have suffered direct damage from the recent severe weather and flooding.
• $89.7 million to support recovery grants of up to $50,000 to assist small business and not-for-profit organisations that have suffered direct damage from the event.
• $1 million grants to impacted AGRN 1012 disaster declared Local Government Areas to assist with their immediate social, economic and environmental recovery needs.
• $6.5 million to provide Community Recovery Officers to support communities impacted by this event.

“The Australian and NSW Governments are focused on giving small businesses and not-for-profits the tools they need to clean-up, rebuild and keep operating,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Money and financial assistance are only part of the recovery process and as we move from the emergency phase to the recovery phase, we will be able to announce further measures to help people recover and rebuild.”

 The activation of these Category D grants is part of the planned phased response to the flood emergency. It’s unfortunate we are becoming so well versed in how to respond to disasters, but we have rolled out these grants before and we know that they provide great and fast support.

But they are not the only forms of support and assistance available. Service NSW is a one-stop shop for all information and support on disaster assistance, with specialised Customer Care agents who can advise you, so please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au.”

Resilience NSW will work closely with the National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA) on a second phase DRFA package to address the long-term rebuilding needs of impacted communities.

People in NSW requiring disaster recovery support are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.