Although most of the storm damage occurred east of town at Glen Elgin and Newton Boyd where residents received 300mm of rain, the whole local government area was declared a natural disaster area along with Tenterfield, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Port Macquarie - Hastings, Nambucca, Kempsey, Tweed, Byron Bay, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley.

A range of payments and schemes are available to assist those who have been adversely affected by the storms and floods.

The declaration means that the bulk of the cost of repairs to roads and bridges damaged by the flood will be borne by the State Government, council’s deputy director of engineering Malcolm Donnelly said.

“Without the declaration council would have to bear the full cost. We are still assessing the full impact of the damage to raods on the eastern side and and the priority has been to get roads open,” he said.

Restoring bridges across Timbarra River (Rocky Creek) and Glen Elgin Creek, and erosion works down Old Grafton Road, are among the more substantial works required.

“The RTA is the government’s assessment body for flood road damage and we have already given them an initial assessment, but it will still be another week or two before we know enough to submit a full report,” he said.

E For more information visit www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/home.htm l or contact the Public information and inquiry centre 1800 227 228.