Disaster assistance for flood-affected

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), in the New England Local Government Areas of Glen Innes Severn, Gwydir, Liverpool Plains, Muswellbrook, Tamworth, Tenterfield and Upper Hunter.

Assistance grants are being made available to local councils, residents, primary producers, small businesses, and charities recover from the severe weather event and flooding that occurred across parts of New England from Tuesday 9 November 2021.

Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce said heavy rainfall caused significant widespread damage across New England, with the impacts becoming clearer as flood waters start to recede in some areas.

"The flooding wreaked havoc on local infrastructure. This disaster assistance will help New England councils cover the costs associated with the operational response as well as to repair damaged essential public assets.

"New England 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 www.raa.nsw.gov.au

Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.