The Macleay, Hunter, Hastings, and Nambucca Valley communities have rallied to call on the NSW and Federal Governments to make Category D natural disaster declarations and increase Category C grants for primary producers and businesses to the maximum thresholds.
A rally, attended by hundreds of people, has been held at Kempsey Racecourse.
Nationals Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan, said six weeks on from the catastrophic flooding events, the NSW and Federal Labor Governments still have not taken this vital step to save our local farmers and small businesses, as well as local councils in order for them to build back better.
“The destruction caused in the Macleay and Nambucca Valleys surpassed the 2021 floods when Cat D was declared within a week and yet we are still waiting and being forced to beg for help,” Mr Conaghan said.
“Over the past few weeks, I have visited properties and spoken to farmers and businesses who are on their knees and about to be forced to walk away from what are in some cases generational properties.
“The truth is, the grants, even at $75,000 for primary producers in particular, will barely allow them to begin to pick up the pieces.
“I urge the Premier, Prime Minister and Ministerial teams responsible to please do what you have promised would be done. Each of you visited our electorate, saw the devastation, and spoke to those effected assuring them that help was on the way. Was that just an exercise for the cameras?”
Mr Conaghan said it shouldn’t matter who is at the helm in government – the response to regional people in desperate need should be the same. “And yet, here we are, being reminded that regional people are not a priority for the current administration.”
“All Nationals MPs at both a State and Federal level are united in our calls to have this addressed immediately. All local MPs, Mayors and Councillors are unified in their support. We will continue fighting alongside you and calling this out for what it is; Cruel negligence,” Mr Conaghan said.
“Thank you to everyone who attended, and a special thank you to every local business who donated food and supplies for the day. Our community steps up for each other every time. It’s time for our governments to do the same.”
Nationals’ Senator, Ross Cadel, who attended the rally, said the delays are simply embarrassing.
Nationals’ Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, who attended the rally with Deputy Nationals’ Leader Gurmesh Singh, said the community needs Category C funding to be lifted to $75,000 for primary producers and $50,000 for small businesses so people can start rebuilding.
“In 2021 we had a significant flood with Cat D. In 2022 we had two floods that were significant and got Cat D funding. And the flood in 2025 was higher than all three of them,” Michael said.
