Governments announce joint disaster assistance for shire following flood

Disaster assistance measures for the Narrabri Shire have been activated by the federal and state governments to address damage as a result of severe weather as well as flooding.

The Commonwealth and NSW governments announced that some support had been made available under joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Among the measures that may be available are support for council to assist with clean up costs and restoring damaged public assets, and support for impacted businesses and residents.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the funding activated will support communities as they begin the recovery process.

“We know that this flooding event will place significant burden on local councils, and we want to make sure they have the resources to clean up and restore public assets. This assistance will support their work, while also helping more communities access essential supplies,” she said.

“The Australian and NSW governments are working closely to ensure communities get the support they need to recover.”

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said natural disaster declarations are a vital step to unlock joint assistance so communities can begin the clean-up, rebuilding and recovery process.

“I want to thank our emergency services personnel, our dedicated volunteers and all the community members who have been working around the clock to keep people safe, and help with the recovery effort,” she said.

“Narrabri has been hit by severe weather, including strong winds and heavy rainfall which have caused serious damage to property, so we are activating immediate support measures for the community.

“This severe weather has disrupted communities, and emergency crews are ready to respond to further wild weather. NSW SES, police, and RFS flood rescue teams are on the ground and prepared to step in where needed.”

Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include:

• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.

• Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.

• Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.

• Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.

• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.

• Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.

Following the joint government announcement, Narrabri Shire mayor Darrell Tiemens thanked the ministers.

“This disaster assistance is absolutely crucial in helping our community in their recovery efforts and for council as we begin the process of repairing infrastructure, including our road network, which took a battering from the substantial rainfall,” Cr Tiemens said.

“I would also like to thank the NSW Roads Minister, the Hon. Jenny Aitchison, who called me personally to check in on our residents’ welfare and reassure us of her support for getting our roads back up and operational. It was truly appreciated.”

Cr Tiemens said council was continuing to assess damage from the rainfall event.

“At this stage we already estimate that flooding has caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage. Many roads, sealed and unsealed, were impacted from the rainfall and subsequent flooding.

“We will undertake a full assessment of the damage once flooding recedes.

“Several houses in Narrabri were also impacted with water through homes. The NSW Reconstruction Authority is visiting community members impacted by the storms and floods in Narrabri, providing flood recovery advice and support.”

Cr Tiemens also thanked emergency workers, volunteers and residents for their continued support.

“The incredible efforts of our SES, police, ambulance service, Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service, VRA Rescue NSW, council workers and Transport for NSW were instrumental in keeping people safe and informed,” Cr Tiemens said.

“I can’t thank them enough for their immense work, which continues to be ongoing.”