Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP said she was pleased that further support has been made available for local people impacted by the latest flood event in the Kiama and Shoalhaven local government areas.

The Australian and New South Wales governments have extended the support committed following the extensive floods in NSW in February and March to include those impacted by the most recent July event.

Funding will go towards grants for primary producers, small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and councils, clean-up efforts and expanding the property assessment program in disaster-declared areas.

The investment also builds on the support already provided to the 37 disaster-declared local government areas under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

“Here on the South Coast, we’ve had drought, bushfires and too many floods to count – we know how important that financial support is, how important it is to get it quickly, so this is great news to support local recovery,” Fiona Phillips said. 

“We have a long way to go – one short drive on our roads is all you need to see that. But I know this funding will make a critical difference so we can start those recovery works now,”

“Already, my office is being inundated with enquiries from people looking for help and I am really happy that it is being made available already,” she said.

The package is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments and includes:

• $80 million committed to assist with the clean-up and removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste;
• Grants of up to $75,000 to assist primary producers that have suffered direct damage;
• $1 million grants to each impacted council (the 37 declared local government areas) to assist with their immediate recovery costs;
• $36 million committed for a building assessment program for flooded properties, and free demolition of those found to be uninhabitable; and
• Grants of up to $50,000 to assist small business and not-for-profit organisations that have suffered direct damage.

In addition, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to affected adults and children in the Kiama and Shoalhaven local government areas. Almost 528,000 people affected by the severe storms and flooding in New South Wales have already received more than $436 million in Australian Government disaster assistance.

“If anyone needs help and is not sure how to access it, I encourage them to contact my office on 4423 1782,” the Member for Gilmore said.

For further information on the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and other support, visit www.recovery.gov.au.