Natural disaster declarations made for six LGAs following bushfires

THE State and Federal Governments have activated disaster assistance to the MidCoast local government area (LGA) due to ongoing bushfires.

The declarations activate a suite of support measures for residents, businesses, primary producers, and councils.

People whose homes have been damaged may be eligible for immediate financial help as well as clean-up, rebuilding and recovery assistance.

Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include:

● Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items.

● Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.

● Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.

● Concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers up to $130,000

● Freight and transport subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

● Loans for non-profit organisations up to $25,000

● Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.

Council will be provided with support to remove debris and for the reconstruction of essential public infrastructure.

Community members affected by the recent bushfires should contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit service.nsw.gov.au to access information on disaster assistance, grants, and recovery support.