Rain returns in NSW as flood damage funding stoush continues
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The NSW Premier states that the Australian Government does not fully understand the extent of flood damage in the state’s north as more heavy rainfalls on the NSW coast.
Rain has returned to the area amid an ongoing stoush over flood recovery funding as residents in several areas are being warned to prepare for heavy falls and flash flooding.
NSW has been hit by repeated flooding over the past few months, with the north and northwest of the state devastated by consecutive deluges since February as recovery and clean-up efforts continue.
Bureau of Meteorology’s meteorologist Sarah Scully said heavy rainfall was predicted on the central and south coasts of the state for the rest of the week.
“We’re forecasting six hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 100mm, with up to 140mm about coastal areas,” she said.
The Bureau warned that saturated catchments could respond quickly to any bursts of rain, raising fears of flash flooding and landslips.
A severe weather warning, which is predicted to increase on Thursday and will continue through the weekend, extends from Gosford to the south of Bega and inland to the central and southern tablelands.
Flood watches have been issued for central and southern coast rivers as minor to moderate flooding is expected.
The threat of further flooding comes while northern NSW communities continue a clean-up, amid a stoush between the NSW and federal governments over funding for the recovery effort from flood damage.
NSW announced new grants to assist with the rebuilding of flood-damaged, uninsured homes on Monday, saying it was putting up the money because it was tired of waiting for federal input.
However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that he had written to Premier Dominic Perrottet to stress his government was happy to split funding.
Premier Perrottet said while the NSW Government was willing to work with the Commonwealth, it would ultimately meet the needs of communities as they’re identified.
“If we can do more we will, we’ve requested further (federal) assistance … From my perspective, I want to make sure we give as much support as we can,” the NSW Premier told ABC Radio National.
“The other issue we have, which is a bit frustrating, is there seem to be people who are disqualified (from receiving federal funding)… based on where they live. To me, it doesn’t matter if you’ve lost your home in Lismore or Mullumbimby, you’re in the same situation.”
Nonetheless, Premier Perrottet still hopes to get support from the federal government to expand the homes grants scheme for flood damage.
He attributed discrepancies in funding delivery to a lack of understanding by the federal government.
“There’s probably some public servant in Canberra who thinks that if you are in a certain community that has been flooded, as they all did, that somehow you are at a bigger disadvantage than someone who has lost a home or business somewhere else,” he said.
He also wants to reduce bureaucracy in the administration of grants so that money can be distributed faster.
While an inquiry into the flooding disaster and response is due to report back to the NSW government by the end of September, a pre-emptive examination will take place during a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday.
Emergency Services and Resilience Minister Steph Cooke will face the hearing, along with Resilience NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers.
With AAP
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.
