DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS AFTER NOVEMBER STORMS

Disaster assistance is now available to help local councils, residents, primary producers, small businesses and charities recover from the significant weather event and flooding that occurred across the Port Macquarie Hastings region from Tuesday 9 November 2021.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie MP said the weather event caused widespread damage across the area.

“The event damaged local infrastructure and homes, while very heavy rain caused flooding to occur,” Dr Gillespie said.

“This disaster assistance will help Port Macquarie Hastings council to cover the costs associated with the operational response, as well as to repair damaged essential public assets.

“Local residents will also receive support to get back on their feet, including grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes.”

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

•                Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)

•                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

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au