Communities in the Lachlan and Moree Plains shires that have been impacted by recent heavy rainfall and flooding will be able to access disaster assistance to aid in their recovery, Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has announced.

Mr Coulton said assistance is now available to help Lachlan and Moree Plains shire councils, residents, primary producers, small businesses and community groups recover from the severe weather event and flooding that occurred from Tuesday 9 November 2021.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

“This will be welcome news for so many people who have been impacted by heavy rainfall and flooding over the past fortnight,” Mr Coulton said.

“Our farmers in particular have been dealt a cruel blow, as hopes of a bumper harvest have sadly been washed away for too many.

“The severe weather has also wreaked havoc on local infrastructure and homes, and with more rain on the way, the damage bill is expected to rise.

“This disaster assistance will help Lachlan and Moree Plains shire councils cover the costs associated with the operational response and repairing damaged essential public assets.

“Local residents will also receive support to get back on their feet, including grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes.”

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
• Freight subsidies for primary producers, and
• Grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.

To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/