Coulton calls for further disaster assistance
05-February-2012
The AGDRP provides one off payments of $1000 for adults and $400 for children in areas that have been adversely affected by a major or widespread disaster. Mr Coulton said thousands of people have been misplaced and adversely affected by flooding in the north west of New South Wales and that the Federal Government needs to extend the Commonwealth assistance to include this vital payment.
“This is the worst flood to hit this region in some sixty years, and comes off the back of floods that hit the area in December last year,” Mr Coulton said.
“There are entire communities that are cut off from Boggabri through to the Queensland border. Communities in the western part of the Parkes Electorate will be dealing with this for many weeks as the waters from Queensland merge with the flood waters of northern NSW. More Government assistance is needed to help with the hardships that these people will face in the coming days, weeks and months.”
“These floods have inundated thousands of properties and businesses. I have farmers contacting me requesting assistance in the recovery livestock that are stranded in the flood water. People in the northern part of the Parkes Electorate are in dire financial position and are crying out for assistance and the Government must respond urgently.”
Mr Coulton said visited Moree briefly on Friday, dropping in at the evacuation centre. He said while most people where in relatively good spirits, the next few weeks would be an especially trying time for all.
“The floods have significantly affected the people in these areas both financially and emotionally. This payment would take the financial pressure off families and individuals, and assist in purchasing essential items.”
Mr Coulton who travels to Canberra on Monday for Parliament said he would be making personal representations to the Minster on behalf of the flood affected residents.