Senator The Hon Bridget McKenzie, NSW Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience; The Hon David Eilliott MP, NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Joint Media Release, 26 November 2021

Disaster assistance is now available in thirteen additional local government areas of Blayney, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cabonne, Cobar, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Narrabri, Port Macquarie Hastings, Upper Hunter, Warrumbungle and Weddin following severe storms and flooding from Tuesday 9 November 2021.

These areas are now included in addition to the initial declaration for the local government areas of Tenterfield, Forbes, Bathurst, Blue Mountains, Cowra, Lachlan and Moree.

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

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the severe weather event caused significant widespread damage across NSW.

“Severe weather from early November has continued to impact a number of communities across NSW, including further flooding and storm damage across the State,” Minister McKenzie said.

“Significant rainfall and flooding in a number of areas has resulted in damage to major roads and residential properties.”

New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon David Elliott said the event had required a significant response from the NSW State Emergency Services, including a number of flood rescues.

“The assistance being announced today will help ensure councils and individuals impacted by this event have the support they need to get back on their feet.”

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
• 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