https://www.xxzza1.com
26.4 C
Newcastle

Newcastle real estate agent slams government after flood assistance delay

SHARE

Newcastle real estate agent Bill Quirk says it’s ludicrous the LGA was not named earlier in the list of areas eligible for flood recovery assistance.

After the region copped another drenching this week, the long-standing licensee believes it’s time homeowners along the Hunter River were acknowledged for the ever-increasing challenges they face.

Mr Quirk has been working and teaching within the Newcastle real estate industry since 1961.

On Wednesday 6 July, frustrated with news reports the former steel city had been omitted from the list of Local Government Areas (LGAs) eligible for the NSW Government’s disaster recovery funding, Mr Quirk sought help from the Real Estate Institute of NSW.

His plea to the state’s peak industry body for real estate agents and property professionals, was to lobby to have Newcastle homeowners included in LGA eligibility lists, bringing their home flood insurance up to date.

“The question arises, like the ever increasing flood waters in and around Newcastle, why was Newcastle not included in this Natural Disaster funding for flooding as an eligible LGA straight away?” he told the Newcastle Weekly.

“The Hunter River and all its estuaries have a 250-year plus recorded history of major flooding events.

“With its increasing population growth and spreading residential subdivisions during the past 20 or so years, it’s a local council approved disaster ready to happen.”

Bill Quirk.

Mr Quirk says local homeowners deserved better.

“The flood control plans standards may no longer be adequate or reflect the known flood status in our region,” he says.

In the past few days Mr Quirk says he has spoken to landlords in both Hamilton and Wallsend whose homes have been inundated with flood waters, yet their home insurance did not recognise they were located in an “impact area”.

Disaster funding was approved for a number of LGAs this week, following severe storms and flooding across much of NSW.

Available assistance includes a disaster recovery payment, a disaster recovery allowance and housing and rental assistance.

Payment is a lump sum of $1,000 per eligible adult, $400 for each eligible child.

To be eligible residents must live in one of the listed LGAs and have been substantially affected by the flooding.

A disaster recovery allowance also on offer includes a short-term income for those unable to work as a result of the flood, with $350 a week for a maximum of 13 weeks being made available to eligible residents.

Other eligible LGAs included Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Canterbury Bankstown, Campbelltown, Central Coast, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kiama, Lithgow, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, The Hills, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong.

On Thursday 7 July, the list was updated to include Bayside, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Singleton and Upper Lachlan.

Then, following NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s visit to the Hunter 24 hours later, Newcastle, Port Stephens and Muswellbrook were late inclusions.

“That’s great news, but it still should not have taken so long,” Mr Quirk says.

“We’ll keep fighting to have our voices heard.”

Mr Quirk is also asking if homeowners have a vacant property they feel may suit temporary accommodation for displaced flood victims and they would like to assist, to contact him at Borrelli Quirk Newcastle Real Estate.


More Stories

Newcastle Weekly

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Newcastle Weekly. News, Community, Lifestyle, Property delivered direct to your inbox! 100% Local, 100% Free.

You have Successfully Subscribed!