The Albanese and Minns Governments have extended disaster recovery support for communities in the Central Coast, Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, and Wingecarribee Local Government Areas (LGAs) following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the regions from 15 January 2025.
These new disaster measures are in addition to the support for Maitland, Port Stephens, and Snowy Valleys (LGAs) announced on 18 January and Dungog, Mid Coast, Singleton, Blacktown, Cessnock, Hawkesbury, Lake Macquarie, Northern Beaches and Upper Hunter (LGAs) on 25 January.
If more councils submit assessment forms outlining damage from this event, there will be further opportunity for Councils to access assistance.
Assistance measures that may be provided to communities through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) include:
- Support for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like temporary accommodation.
- Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain a basic standard of living.
- Grants for low income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
- Support for affected local councils and other agencies to help with the costs of cleaning up, keeping the community safe and restoring damaged essential public assets.
- Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
- Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister said the thunderstorms and intense rainfall had an enduring impact across the state.
“We know that this severe storm event was incredibly disruptive on communities across NSW, many of whom are still recovering.”
“Councils have done a fantastic job, cleaning up and restoring public assets. This assistance will support their work, while also helping more communities access essential supplies.
“The Albanese and Minns Governments are working hard to ensure communities get the support they need to recover.”
NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said disaster declarations are crucial in unlocking assistance for communities so they can begin the clean-up process.
“We have pushed out assistance as quickly as we could to areas where assessments were completed quickly, and we’ve continued to support and work with councils as the assessments continue,” Mr Dib said.
“This storm event affected large parts of the state and the NSW State Emergency Service, local councils and the NSW Reconstruction Authority have been out across the regions ensuring communities have the support they need.
“I thank councils for working with the NSW Government and the NSW Reconstruction Authority, this is a great example of all levels of government working together to achieve a great outcome.
“While this storm event lasted a couple of days the clean-up and recovery effort does take longer, and this funding will help those who need it most.”
Further information on disaster assistance can be found at www.disasterassist.gov.au.
