The devastation caused by widespread flooding across NSW has today prompted a meeting between affected Councils and Resilience NSW to discuss the impacts this had had on local communities.
While the impact of the statewide deluge has been less severe in the Port Macquarie-Hastings, some local government areas are severely impacted upon.
Our region has experienced moderate levels of flooding, and there have been reports of damage to road infrastructure causing closures and disruptions to residents.
We are working through these with the assistance of Resilience NSW and the local State Emergency Services (SES), and we are well prepared – following the devastation of last year’s events – to act in case of more severe weather.
Both Port Macquarie-Hastings Council CEO Dr Clare Allen and Mayor Peta Pinson represented our region at today’s meeting to pay their heartfelt sympathies to the heavily impacted communities in northern NSW and south east Queensland and offer support.
“Our hearts go out to the communities that have suffered overwhelming loss as a result of the catastrophic floods,” Mayor Pinson said.
“Having experienced the devastation of a similar weather event just 12 months ago, we understand the significant impact that this can cause and the work that goes into the rebuilding and resilience efforts.”
Areas declared a Natural Disaster zone are eligible for assistance from Resilience NSW. This includes:
- help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria applies);
- 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.
Dr Allen said Council is continuing to identify impacts from localised and persistent rainfall, with staff keeping in close contact with local SES units to support them in any way we can.
“Minor flooding is expected in the coming days and we urge residents to keep safe, steer clear of flood waters and stay up to date with the changing situation through the NSW SES website, local SES Facebook posts and the BOM,” Dr Allen said.
