STORM ASSISTANCE FOR THE CENTRAL WEST AND ORANA REGION

Disaster assistance has been made available for communities in the local government areas of Gilgandra and Warrumbungle that were affected by severe storms on 29 March.

 

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

 

Federal Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments were working together to support the recovery process.

 

“We’re making sure assistance is readily available to affected communities, including those who suffered damage to their properties and possessions,” Minister Littleproud said.

 

“The support will also help with clean-up operations and repairs to public infrastructure.”

 

NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said that the funding will support response operations and ensure flood damaged infrastructure is restored quickly.

 

“Communities experienced significant disruption due to heavy rain, damaging winds and localised flash flooding across the state, in particular the Central West and Orana regions,” Minister Elliott said.

 

“The NSW SES received 750 Requests for Assistance for this event, mostly relating to damage to residential properties, community facilities and fallen trees. NSW SES also conducted a number of flood rescues during this event.”

 

Assistance measures available under the DRFA may include:

·         help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged

·         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 the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444. To apply for a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit raa.nsw.gov.au.

 

Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW emergency information and response website atemergency.nsw.gov.au.