Assistance following storms in parts of New England

Disaster assistance is now available in the local government areas of Glen Innes Severn and Tamworth following severe storms in January.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

“After years of drought, patches of heavy rain and storms have been a welcome relief in many parts of the New England,” Mr Joyce said.

“But the sudden downpours presented a different dilemma for others.

“Issues such as localised flooding and fallen trees as a result of these summer storms caused significant problems in some areas around Tamworth and Glen Innes.

“That’s why we’re rolling out a range of assistance for individuals, councils and primary producers, to help those who need it, get back on their feet sooner.”

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 ServiceNSW on 13 77 88. To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit raa.nsw.gov.au

Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW emergency information and response website at emergency.nsw.gov.au