Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh reminds residents disaster recovery assistance is available in multiple local government areas, including Coffs Harbour City, following severe storms and floods from 10 March 2021 onwards.
Mr Singh welcomes this vital disaster assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
“We know our community is resilient to disaster, but when the worst occurs it is a relief to know there is help available,” Mr Singh said.
“I join with my colleagues in the NSW and Australian Governments in supporting local residents during these extremely difficult circumstances.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said communities are experiencing significant disruption due to heavy rainfall and flooding.
“As NSW continues to deal with this serious weather event, this announcement will help reassure those already affected that there is assistance available to cover the costs associated with the operational response and support households, small businesses, primary producers, not-for-profit organisations and councils as they continue to repair the damaged assets and essential public assets, such as roads,” Mr Elliott said.
Assistance 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 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 Service NSW at www.service.nsw.gov.au
