The Federal and NSW State governments have confirmed further support for NSW businesses and local councils impacted by flooding to support clean-up, rebuilding and recovery.
Businesses in 17 disaster-declared local government areas are eligible for these packages.
The LGAs are: Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Hornsby, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie/Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield, The Hills and Tweed.
The support package includes:
- $75,000 grants to assist primary producers that have suffered direct damage from the recent severe weather and flooding.
- $50,000 grants to assist small business and not-for-profit organisations that have suffered direct damage from the event.
- $210 million to assist affected communities with the clean-up and removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste.
- $1 million grants to impacted councils to assist with their immediate social, built, economic and environmental needs. This list may continue to grow.
- $6.5 million to provide Community Recovery Officers to support communities impacted by this event.
Registration for the support packages is through Service NSW at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/storm-and-flood-assistance-businesses
Business NSW is also providing free access to our Workplace Advice Line for all businesses in NSW impacted by the current flood disaster to help manage workforce issues arising from the floods.
Normally available to members only, the service will be available for the next four weeks at no charge to all businesses in impacted areas. Call 13 29 59 between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Please keep safe and see the links below for NSW emergency services and information:
- Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods
- NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au or 132 500
- Lismore Disaster Dashboard, including road closures - https://disaster.lismore.nsw.gov.au/dashboard/overview
- RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com
- Latest River Heights and Rainfall Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/northcoast.shtml
- Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/
- Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/
- BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW
And for mental health support:
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 Open 24/7
- Lifeline: 131 114
- NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511
And for help with banking:
https://www.ausbanking.org.au/for-customers/financial-difficulty/
