Gloucester River. Pic: Barrington Outdoor Adventure Centre
FIVE more areas are eligible for disaster assistance after severe storms and flooding in NSW last month.
Natural disaster recovery assistance has been extended to include Gloucester, Great Lakes, Shoalhaven, Upper Hunter and Walcha which were all impacted by the February 19-24 storms and flooding.
This brings the total number of areas included in this natural disaster declaration to 22, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus QC MP said.
“This declaration triggers a number of disaster assistance arrangements to help with the cost of storm relief and recovery,” Mr Dreyfus said
“These measures will help families, business owners, primary producers and local councils to repair damage caused by the severe storms and flooding and ease some of the associated burden.
These disaster assistance schemes are made available by the NSW Government through the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements and are jointly funded with the Commonwealth Government through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements.
“This joint funding will help the region’s local communities as they recover,” NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher said.
Further areas might be declared in coming days, as assessments are completed.
For emergency assistance during floods and storms call 132 500, or in a life threatening emergency call triple zero (000). For more information visit www.emergency.nsw.gov.au