Disaster assistance is available in the Camden, Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee and Wollongong local government areas following the impact of flooding from Thursday, June 6.
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The assistance measures are being provided by the Australian and NSW governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Support includes:
- Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation or small cash payments to purchase essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
- Grants for eligible residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
- Grants for eligible residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
- 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 and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
- Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the extent of the flooding impact was still being assessed.
"This event has caused widespread damage across communities, with flash flooding closing roads, cutting off communities and inundating homes," Mr Watt said.
"The NSW Government is continuing to assess the situation and is adapting as we gain a clearer picture of the impact of this disaster, and the Australian Government stands ready to respond to any requests for assistance."
NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the NSW SES were out on the ground assessing damage and assisting communities.
"While the work continues to assess the impacts of these storms and floods, the NSW Government is working with the Australian Government to unlock assistance for communities that need help now," Mr Dib said.
"Thank you to the NSW SES and all volunteers who have been working night and day to responded to this severe weather event.
"We're supporting these communities to recover from this severe weather event, given many were also impacted in April this year," he said.
For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents and other recovery support, please visit www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery.
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.
