Coulton welcomes flood assistance
06-February-2012
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton today welcomed the announcement that people affected by recent flooding in the Moree, Gwydir and Narrabri areas can apply for assistance through the Australian Government Disaster Relief Payment (AGDRP).
The AGDRP provides a one off disaster relief payment of $1000 for adults and $400 for children for people who have been adversely affected by the floods. Strict criteria will apply to ensure that only people directly affected will receive the payment.
“These floods are some of the biggest this area has experienced in many years,” Mr Coulton said.
“Thousands of people have been displaced and disrupted by this flooding. This payment will take some of the financial pressure off families and individuals. It will help them get back on their feet and assist in purchasing essential items.”
“The cleanup effort will be huge and costly and I welcome both the State Government and Federal Government disaster assistance that has been forthcoming to this area.”
The AGDRP will provide financial assistance to eligible people:
· whose residence has been significantly damaged;
· who were stranded within their home or unable to gain access to their residence for at least 24 hours; or
· whose principal place of residence was without electricity, water, gas, sewerage or another essential service for at least 48 hours.
The assistance will be delivered by Centrelink.
Further assistance is available for all declared local government areas in the form of:
- Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance
- Primary Producers Loans
- Primary Producers Transport Subsidies
- Small Businesses loans
- Assistance for Councils and Trustees of Parks and Reserves
- Loans and grants to Churches, Voluntary Non-profit Organisations and Sporting Clubs.
For more information please contact (02) 6751 1251 or (02) 6882 0999.