Disaster relief funding has been announced for 37 New South Wales local governments in areas affected by floods.
The Federal and State governments will jointly fund the emergency assistance under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
The councils presiding over areas that have been declared natural disasters are now eligible for funding to help with emergency clean-up efforts and restoring damaged infrastructure, such as roads and bridges.
As well as funding for councils, assistance will also be made available for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged; concessional interest rate loans will be available for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations; and grants to not-for-profit organisations.
Tweed Shire Council estimates the damage to their area will be $500,000.
Council’s General Manager, Troy Green, said the Council the funding would ease some of the financial burden.
“We welcome this announcement from the Prime Minister and the Premier that Tweed Shire Council will be able to access funding to assist with the costs of the clean up and restoring damaged assets, such as roads and culverts.”
Grants are available for councils to meet 100 percent of eligible emergency works and 75 percent of eligible restoration works up to $116,000, and 100 percent cost recovery over that level.
Grants are also available to help councils restore roads and bridges to pre-disaster standards.
In Tasmania, where floods also hit hard over the weekend, the State Government has announced aid directly for impacted families, offering up to $750 for each eligible family.
