Our thoughts are with those affected by recent floods. Below we have broken down flood disaster relief options available from the Federal Government, Banks and the NSW Rural Assistance Authority.
Federal Government and Banks
In response to the storms and floods, Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) have been activated in the 47 local government areas of: Armidale, Ballina, Bathurst, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Brewarrina, Byron, Cabonne, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock City Council, Clarence Valley, Cobar, Coffs Harbour City, Cumberland, Dungog Shire, Eurobodalla, Fairfield, Gilgandra, Glen Innes Severn, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Inner West, Inverell, Kempsey, Ku-ring-gai, Kyogle, Lachlan, Lake Macquarie City, Lismore, Lithgow, Liverpool, Liverpool Plains, Maitland City, Mid-Coast, Moree Plains, Nambucca Valley, Narrabri, Newcastle City, Northern Beaches, Oberon, Parramatta, Penrith, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Richmond Valley, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Sutherland, Tenterfield, The Hills, Tweed, Walcha, Walgett, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly.
Assistance includes disaster recovery payments/allowances, help for affected small businesses to meet their tax obligations and help from your financial institution. For more information click here.
NSW Rural Assistance Authority
The NSW and Australian Governments have announced assistance measures to support people who have been impacted by the March 2021 storms and floods.
Assistance is now being provided to 63 local government areas in NSW through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Visit the RAA’s Declared Natural Disasters webpage for a full list of eligible LGAs. Available assistance includes the following:
Disaster relief loans – Small Business
Small businesses who have been directly affected by a declared natural disaster including floods, fires or storm damage, may be eligible for low interest loans of up to $130,000.
This low interest rate loan can help a small business:
– return to its normal level of trading or until the next major income is received within 12 months from the date of disaster.
– replace and repair damage caused to your small business and associated improvements not covered by insurance.
Special Disaster Grants – Primary Producers
Primary producers recovering from the devastating impacts of floods are receiving vital support, with Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000.
These grants will be available early next week.
The RAA Disaster Assistance webpage will be updated as information becomes available.
Special Disaster Grants – Small Business
Grants of up to $50,000 will be available next week for small business owners and not-for-profit organisations through Service NSW.
For more information contact the Disaster Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/.
