Disaster assistance is now available in a further three local government areas (LGAs) following severe storms and flash flooding across the southern regions of NSW from 5 January 2022 onwards.

The additional three LGAs are Berrigan, Edward River and Weddin.

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

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt said damages to council roads and associated infrastructure had been significant. 

“The intense storms and heavy rainfall in January have left councils with major repairs throughout their regions,” Senator Watt said.

“We will not forget about communities that are still impacted and recovering from storms and floods.”

New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the natural disaster declaration for the Berrigan, Edward River and Weddin LGAs will ensure these communities can access the same support as other areas impacted by the January storm event.

“The effects of the severe weather experienced across southern NSW in January are still being felt, which is why we are ensuring support is available to all impacted communities,” Ms Cooke said.

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; •    Financial assistance for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations; and •    Freight subsidies for primary producers.

The LGAs now included are in addition to the initial declaration for the LGAs of Albury, Bland, Blayney, Central Darling, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Federation, Goulburn Mulwaree, Greater Hume, Griffith, Hay, Hilltops, Junee, Lockhart, Narrandera, Snowy Valleys, Temora and Upper Lachlan.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.

To apply for a concessional loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit: www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Media contacts:  Tali Eley 0448 078 456 (Minister Watt)  Ben Sheath 0403 767 636 (Minister Cooke)

This media release was originally published by Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Murray Watt and New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience, Minister for Flood Recovery, the Hon Steph Cooke MP.