Disaster assistance is now available for the Kempsey, Mid-Coast, and Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the wake of the recent fires that engulfed homes and properties across the North Coast.
The assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Federal Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the funding will help those in most immediate need across the region.
“It’s been a difficult two weeks for many of our rural communities across the Mid North and North Coast,” Mr Conaghan said.
“While the phenomenal efforts of our Emergency Service teams have saved hundreds of buildings and livelihoods, we have inevitably seen properties and houses destroyed and damage to equipment, roads and fencing.
“Today’s announcement means those most affected areas can now access initial funding streams while the full extent of the damage is being assessed. I am working closely with the State Member Michael Kemp to ensure the level of funding to individuals and Councils meets the ongoing needs of the community.”
NSW Nationals Member for Oxley Michael Kemp said the funding couldn’t come soon enough.
“The Member for Cowper and I have been listening to the daily briefings over the past week, and I myself have been out as part of the local RFS crew seeing the devastation firsthand,” Mr Kemp said.
“I know that this initial funding will be a welcome relief to those unable to afford essentials at this present time while they assess the full extent of damage to their properties and livelihoods.
“I will continue to monitor the needs of our community and push for appropriate funding from the relevant State Ministers, and I know that Pat will be doing the same at a Federal level.”
Current assistance available under the DRFA includes:
• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (criteria applies).
• 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.
For information relating to financial assistance please contact Service NSW on 137 788 or visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/disaster-recovery/disaster-relief-and-support
To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au
Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au
