Rental support payments for flood victims and grants for rural landholders in the Kiama and Shoalhaven local government areas will soon be available following the June-July flood event, with more than $23 million in relief funding from the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments.

The jointly funded package through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) includes:

• A Rental Support Scheme providing a contribution of $18.9 million towards 16 weeks rental support to ensure households can secure accommodation.
• A Rural Landholder Grants program providing grants of up to $25,000 for rural landholders who are ineligible for existing grants.

Local MP, Fiona Phillips said she was delighted that support for local flood-impacted communities was continuing to flow through after a long sequence of disasters that continues to impact the South Coast.

“I have been working hard with the Minister and the Government to ensure that our community is getting the support we need as quickly as possible to recover,” Mrs Phillips said.

“I know that there are so many people still struggling, and that is particularly true for our farmers who have been some of the hardest hit.”

“Rental support payments and rural landholder grants will help with the immediate costs of clean-up and repair so impacted people get back on their feet quickly,” she said.  

The Member for Gilmore encouraged any local people who were experiencing any issues accessing support to contact her office.

“I want to see anyone who needs it getting support, so my staff are here to help if someone you know is having trouble applying. Please call my office on 4423 1782,” Fiona Phillips said.

For more information about the Rental Support Scheme, visit: www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-flood-recovery-rental-support-payment

For more information about the Rural Landholder Grants program, visit: www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/storm-and-flood-programs/RLG-feb-2022