A state of natural disaster has been declared for the Central Coast region, following 340 millimetres of rain falling in the past four days. Both State and Federal Governments have now made special funding available for people and organisations affected.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the natural disaster declaration means that funding and support will flow more quickly to those who need it.
“This means assistance is available to people whose homes or essential households items have been destroyed or damaged, and for business owners who are adversely impacted,” Mr Crouch said.
“Assistance is also available to Central Coast Council to restore essential public assets like roads and bridges.”
Mr Crouch said the initial forecast of severe weather until Thursday or Friday had not been realised.
“The most recent advice indicates that heavy rainfall and flooding will not worsen but is likely to remain steady,” Mr Crouch said.
“However a dam failure evacuation warning remains in place for the Upper and Lower Mooney Dams, while many hundreds of homes surrounding Tuggerah Lake have been inundated.”
The Australian Government has activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment ( AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to support those heavily affected by the storms and flooding.
Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks MP said the Australian Government is committed to ensuring the region is supported in its recovery from this serious weather event.
“Significant rainfall, severe winds and widespread flooding has threatened lives and caused widespread damage to roads and the Federal Government stands ready to provide further assistance if needed.
The AGDRP provides a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, who have been seriously injured, lost their homes or whose homes have been directly damaged, or the immediate family members of a person who has lost their life, as a direct result of the storms and floods.
People eligible for DRA can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance.
Services Australia Disaster phones lines are open now – the quickest and easiest way to claim is to call 180 22 66. Lines are open from 8am to 8pm local time, seven days a week. To check eligibility and for more information on support available, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au
Assistance available for the Central Coast through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements may include:
- Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged,
- 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 more information, go to: disasterassistance.service.nsw.gov.au, and to apply for a concessional loan or grant, go to: www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
Information sources: Offices of the state Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch MP & Federal Member for Robertson, Lucy Wicks MP – March 21, 2020
Apart from funding/ building support is there organisation for donated food? During the bushfires an estate agent in Point Clare acted as a depot for donated food and had it delivered by truck through connection with a particular group. Little on the media regarding evacuation centres or specific needs at hand which can be met by those not as badly effected.
Publish the GIVIT web site