NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced the appointment of a State Recovery Coordinator to oversee the clean-up effort in communities affected by the storm that swept across the state at the beginning of June.
He has also signed an order in force for one month to protect volunteers in the workforce to ensure they are not being victimised by their employers during this period, such as their employment being terminated or having their employment conditions altered for lending support to the community. Member for Terrigal, Mr Adam Crouch said: “Assistance is being provided through the jointlyfunded CommonwealthState Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) and is designed to help ease the fi nancial burden that communities bear as a result of natural disasters”.
According to Mr Crouch, the assistance package will also ensure funding is available to help local councils clean up and restore damaged infrastructure so we can minimise disruption and recover as quickly as possible. Individuals who meet asset and income tests and have had their homes or belongings damaged by the storm are entitled to assistance. Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profi t organisations are available as are freight subsidies for primary producers. Mr Crouch said of the assistance package: “This support will provide immediate assistance to communities in the hardest hit areas”. Mr Crouch acknowledged the “extraordinary level of hard work and dedication,” from emergency services and volunteers during the recovery, but has urged the community that that there is still more work to be done. “It’s important to remember that there are many ways to lend a hand during times like this, so I encourage the community to rally together to do what we can to help”.
Media release, Jun 7, 2016 Debra Wales, office of Adam Crouch