DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR WEDDIN SHIRE

Disaster assistance has been extended to the Weddin Shire Local Government Area (LGA) to help it recover from damage caused by severe weather which has swept through the region since 9 November.

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said Weddin had joined Forbes and Cowra among Riverina Electorate LGAs to be supported through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DFRA), a program jointly funded by the Federal Government and New South Wales Government.

“I am delighted the support needed by people in the Weddin Council area will be delivered,” Mr McCormack said.

“Sadly, the hopes of many farmers of a bumper grain harvest have been washed away by floodwaters and they have also suffered damage to fences and other infrastructure.

“Council is also adding up the costs of damage to roads and other community assets.”

Mr McCormack welcomed the dry conditions over the weekend and the better odds of little rain for the rest of this week in the Riverina and Central West, but said the flood crisis, especially in the Lachlan River valley, continued and he was getting regular updates in the situation particularly in Forbes Shire.

The disaster assistance will help the Weddin, Forbes and Cowra councils cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets.

Local residents will also receive support to get back on their feet, including grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes.

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;

• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations;

• Freight subsidies for primary producers; and

• Grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

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

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