Flood-affected NSW councils receive $1M grants
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In light of the recent floods all over NSW, grants of $1 million have been given to an additional 28 affected councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
45 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across NSW have been declared as disaster areas and are receiving support through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The added grants bring the total amount of financial support provided to councils to $45 million.
“We will continue to be there to help every affected community in New South Wales to get back on their feet as soon as possible as floodwaters recede,” Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said.
“The $1 million grants to impacted councils will assist with their immediate social, built, economic and environmental needs.”
Minister McKenzie stated that they continue to work closely with the NSW Government to roll out ongoing, targeted support for communities impacted by the devastating storms and floods.
“A phased approach to support will ensure communities have the resources and support they need at every stage of recovery,” she said.
Meanwhile, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the grants are part of a $434.7 million funding recovery package, co-founded by the Commonwealth and NSW governments, with more still to come.
“Each of the 45 flood-affected councils has now received a $1 million grant which can be used to cover operational costs or begin to restore damaged public infrastructure,” the Premier said.
NSW Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the NSW Government was working with community organisations and not-for-profits to support communities hit hard by the floods and storms.
“I would urge any individual, business owner or primary producer impacted by this unprecedented flood event to please contact Service NSW or visit one of our new Recovery Centres in Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Lismore, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah to find out what you are eligible for,” she said.
Following this, NSW Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said the $1 million grants have been sent directly to councils to assist them with their immediate social, built, economic and environmental needs in the recovery stage.
“Councils did not need to apply for this funding. The Office of Local Government has made direct transfers totalling $45 million to each flood-affected council,” she said.
Source: Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Media Release
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
