Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes has welcomed City of Newcastle’s inclusion, albeit late, onto the state’s Natural Disaster list.
Now, residents affected by the severe weather event, which began on 27 June, will be able to access government-funded relief payments.
Newcastle was one of eight additional Local Government Areas (LGAs) added to the declared Natural Disaster register on Friday afternoon as impacts from the widespread rain and flooding continue to be felt across large areas of NSW.
Assistance was also extended to Hunter localities Muswellbrook and Port Stephens, following pleas by their respective state MPs, as well as Cumberland, Mid Coast, Nambucca, Randwick and Warren, bringing the total number of LGAs to 37.
Cr Nelmes said the decision would provide much-needed funding and support to residents affected by the recent storms.
“Like many areas across the state, Newcastle has been widely impacted by the severe weather event,” she stated.
“Friday’s announcement to add Newcastle to the list of disaster-declared LGAs is much appreciated.
“It will enable affected communities and individuals to access the range of special assistance measures needed to help them recover from the latest weather event.
“I appreciate the timely response and support from the NSW Deputy Premier, Paul Toole, on this declaration after meeting with him and other greater Newcastle and Hunter mayors yesterday morning.”
Assistance is being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and includes helps for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged, as well as concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations.
Support is also available for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential roads and public assets.
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the National Recovery and Resilience Agency’s website at www.recovery.gov.au
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