Disaster Recovery Assistance has been activated for councils, local residents and business’ affected across the Hunter, Port Stephens and Mid North Coast Regions in response to severe storms and flooding
The Australian and NSW Governments are looking ahead to the next stage of clean-up and recovery grants following the recent catastrophic storm and flood event, in helping communities begin to rebuild and recover. The clean-up and recovery grants are being provided through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
MIDCOAST COUNCIL FLOOD RECOVERY HOTLINE - 1300 545 040
PORT MACQUARIE - HASTINGS COUNCIL FLOOD RECOVERY HOTLINE - 6581 8444
The NSW Storm and Flood Clean-up Program includes:
Residential clean-up – to assist residents in flood affected areas whose homes have been damaged by floodwaters
Clean-up of essential public assets – to assist with the clean-up and debris removal activities from flood damaged public assets (e.g. roads)
Clean-up of community, recreation and cultural assets including sporting fields
Primary producers and small business clean-up – to assist primary producers and small businesses to clean-up and dispose of flood related debris from their properties.
Clean-up and restoration of environmental assets – to assist with the clean-up and restoration of flood damaged, priority environmental assets including beaches
Associated clean-up and waste disposal costs – to cover additional costs incurred by affected councils and relevant state agencies.
Small business recovery grants up to $50,000 (direct damage)
The grants are designed to provide short-term targeted assistance for recovery and reinstatement activities, including safety inspections, repairs to premises and internal fittings, and replacement of stock.
Primary producer recovery grants up to $75,000 (direct damage)
The grants are designed to provide short-term targeted assistance for recovery and reinstatement activities, including salvaging crops and repairs to damaged farm infrastructure (e.g. fencing) and equipment.
To connect with a Customer Care specialist, call Service NSW between 7am and 7pm on 13 77 88 or visit the NSW Disaster Assistance Finder.
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
Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)
The AGDRP provides a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or the immediate family members of a person who has lost their life, as a direct result of the storms and floods.
Services Australia Disaster Assistance phone lines are open now. The fastest and easiest way to claim disaster assistance is over the phone by calling 180 22 66. Phone lines are open from 8am to 8pm local time, seven days a week. For more information on support available visit Services Australia
ELIGIBILITY
You have been adversely affected if you have experienced one or more of the following as a direct result of the major disaster:
• you have been seriously injured
• you are an immediate family member of an Australian resident or citizen who died
• your principal place of residence has been destroyed or sustained major damage
• your major asset has or assets have been destroyed or sustained major damage
• you are the principal carer of a dependent child who has experienced any of the above.
Major damage to a principal place of residence means, as a direct result of the disaster:
• the interior of the residence has sustained major damage
• the residence has been declared structurally unsound
• the residence has been breached, exposing the interior of the residence to the elements, or
• the interior of the residence has experienced sewage contamination.
Major damage to a major asset or assets (other than a water tank) means, as a direct result of the disaster:
• the major asset has or assets have been damaged by the heavy rainfall or by flood waters, to the extent that replacement is required.
Major damage to a water tank means, as a direct result of the disaster:
• damage to the extent that the water tank needs to be repaired or cleaned, or the water replaced.
Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)
The DRA provides a short-term income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected as a direct result of the storms and floods.
People eligible for DRA can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance.
Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the storms and floods.
Services Australia Disaster Assistance phone lines are open now. The fastest and easiest way to claim disaster assistance is over the phone by calling 180 22 66. Phone lines are open from 8am to 8pm local time, seven days a week. For more information on support available visit Services Australia
HELPFUL CONTACTS
NSW SES - Warnings and advice 132 500
Road Closures - Transport for NSW Live Traffic updates
NSW Education - Get up-to-date information on schools that have temporarily ceased operations
The Bureau of Meteorology - Australia's national weather, climate and water agency
Local Land Services - Information related to stock or animal welfare - 1800 814 647
Resilience NSW - The lead disaster management agency for NSW
Services Australia - Support for people affected by the NSW floods
Service NSW - NSW Government information and services
Disaster Assistance Finder - Find the assistance that is available for those affected by the NSW floods
Small Business Commissioner - Assistance for flood and storm affected businesses is now available
NSW Rural Assistance Authority - To apply for a concessional loan or grant - 1800 678 593
National Drought and Flood Recovery Agency - works with communities, all levels of government, charities and agricultural organisations to support farmers and other rural and regional Australians.