FURTHER ASSISTANCE FOR STORM-HIT COMMUNITY

Temora Shire will share in a $200 million recovery funding package to support communities affected by the February and March 2021 storms and floods.

In addition, a $200 million Infrastructure Betterment Fund will be established to support the reconstruction and improved disaster resilience of public assets damaged during the recent storms and floods as well as the 2019-20 bushfires.

Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack welcomed the announcement by the Australian and New South Wales Governments.

“The Temora Local Government Area was significantly affected by storms which swept through the region earlier this year,” Mr McCormack said.

“The impact of the severe storms and flooding on the Temora community and industry has been significant, with damage to road and drainage infrastructure and a number of roads in the LGA were closed for an extended period.

“Several properties were inundated with floodwater.”

The Council estimated damage to essential public assets (three roads) to be $1.5 million.

This third phase of recovery support is in recognition of the work involved to repair and rebuild these major public assets and infrastructure and will provide support for the local economy.

Phase 1 and 2 of the Recovery Package were announced on 27 March 2021.

Temora Shire was one of more than 70 Local Government Areas across NSW impacted by the storms and floods, with recovery funding targeted to help industry and job retention, help rebuild community infrastructure, deliver a range of projects to safeguard mental health and community wellbeing, and ensure impacted regions have resources that they need to bounce back.

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator Bridget McKenzie said the NSW Storm and Flood Phase Three Recovery Package would ensure the long-term recovery of impacted regions.

“We have listened to farmers and producers and included more than $25 million to provide grants for rural landholders who do not qualify for the existing supports, as well as funding for environmental recovery initiatives, including riverbank restoration,” Minister McKenzie said.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the 50/50 jointly funded package complemented the funding provided to date and would play a key role in supporting long-term recovery.

“The Australian and NSW Governments continue to stand by communities who were hit by devastating storms and floods earlier this year, many of whom were already reeling from the impacts of prolonged drought, bushfires and COVID,” Mr Barilaro said.

“We cannot underestimate the mental health and wellbeing of those impacted by these disasters and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to provide extensive support to assist communities hardest hit, as well as dedicated flood Community Recovery Officers in highly impacted LGAs to play the same important role as those already supporting bushfire-affected areas.”

People requiring ongoing flood assistance, support and referral are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au/floods

Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au

Facts

•                     Across the state, 73 local government areas have been activated for standard DRFA assistance measures. This includes:

o   Category A: Personal hardship and distress assistance

o   Category B: Funding for counter disaster operations, concessional interest rate loans for small businesses and primary producers, and funding for the reconstruction of essential public assets

•                     Phase 1 Clean-up Package (approx. $325.6m):  to assist households, businesses, primary producers and local councils affected by the floods. This included the deployment of clean-up strike teams and was provided for both insured and uninsured properties

•                     Phase 2 Recovery Package (approx. $189.1m): to provide recovery grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers and grants of up to $50,000 for small businesses and non-profit organisations to support recovery and reinstatement activities

•                     Phase 3 Recovery Package (Approx. $400m): includes:

o   $79.8m for the NSW Flood Industry Recovery Package which will provide targeted funding for the agriculture, aquaculture and horticulture industries to support immediate and longer-term recovery needs and retention of jobs for eligible producers and businesses

o   $52.5m for the Community Infrastructure Repair Program which will provide targeted infrastructure repair and renewal in partnership with local councils in high to severely impacted disaster-declared LGAs

o   $25.2m for Rural Landholder Grants up to $10,000 which will reimburse rural landholders for the cost of clean-up activities, losses or damages beyond the vicinity of the residential dwelling, not covered by insurance, and for rural landholders who do not qualify for the $75,000 primary producer grant or the $50,000 small business grant

o   $18.5m for the restoration of riverbanks which will assist private landowners, NSW Government Agencies and Councils to ensure post-flood remediation works on riverbanks can be done quickly, are appropriate and consistent with Government policy and regulations, will support the long-term health of the rivers, and protect assets and businesses

o   $14.1m for the Mental Health and Community Wellbeing Program which will provide targeted support for Aboriginal communities; children; and young people impacted by the storms and floods for up to 24 months

o   $4.4m Local Recovery Resources funding for severely impacted councils to engage a designated floods Community Recovery Officer for up to 24 months to deliver community-based recovery initiatives and assist people to navigate and access recovery support

o   $1m for volunteer/not-for-profit organisations such as BlazeAid to purchase fencing material and equipment to support rural fencing programs in flood-affected communities

•                     The $200 million Infrastructure Betterment Fund will be established to support the reconstruction and improved disaster resilience of public assets damaged during the recent storms and floods, as well as the 2019-20 bushfires

Shane Manning