The Commonwealth and New South Wales governments will extend the Back ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ grant to renters, landlords and homeowners impacted by the June-July flood event, with a total of $47 million available to get people home sooner.
The grants will be available across the 17 local government areas (LGAs) deemed to be the most severely flood impacted: Blacktown, Camden, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Liverpool, Maitland, Mid Coast, Penrith, Port Stephens, Singleton, Sutherland, The Hills and Wollongong.
The grants can go towards any clean-up costs to restore housing to a habitable condition, such as:
- Inspection and safe reconnection of electrical, gas, water, hot water and sewerage equipment not otherwise the responsibility of utility companies;
- Necessary replacement or repairs to damaged essential household goods such as refrigerators, ovens, washing machines and microwaves;
- Necessary replacement or repairs to damaged equipment such as computers and tools and other essential household contents;
- Moving to a new property if you are a tenant; and
- Necessary structural repairs including roof, flooring, walls, fittings (owner-occupier/owner).
“This Federal Government will be one that works across all levels of Government, with all organisations and communities to provide the support to those affected by natural disasters,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
“We know recovery is a long road ahead and we stand with the New South Wales Government in helping victims of the recent devastating floods get their lives back on track.”
Premier of New South Wales Dominic Perrottet said the grants would help renters, homeowners and landlords repair properties and replace belongings lost in the flooding.
“Whether a home needs electricity reconnected or structural repairs, this fund provides cash support to ensure this can happen fast. It also makes up to $5,000 available for the replacement of essential household items such as beds or kitchen equipment,” Mr Perrottet said.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt said under the Back ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ grant scheme, households declared damaged or destroyed by the June-July flood event would be eligible for up to $20,000.
“The priority is to get people and families affected by floods back into a safe and dry home as quickly as possible,” Minister Watt said.
“This program will help their homes to become habitable again by contributing to the cost of replacing appliances, reconnecting utilities, fixing roofs, connecting electricity and making other necessary repairs.”
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said helping people return to their homes is a key part of the recovery process.
“It’s vital people have a roof over their head as they recover from this devastating flooding. The Back ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ grant is aimed at helping people return to their properties as quickly as possible,” Ms Cooke said.
The Back ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ program is in addition to a series of other jointly-funded clean-up and funding programs underway, including up to 16 weeks in rental support payments, rural landholder grants, small business and not-for-profit support, and an $80 million clean-up support program.
The grants will go live in coming days. Register to be notified at: .
