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The Commonwealth Government has announced an additional $551.7 million will be provided to support flood affected communities across News South Wales, including funding for temporary housing to those on the Northern Rivers who have lost their homes.
The funding builds previous support packages already announced including $435 million jointly funded by the NSW Government, with the latest round targeting small businesses, primary producers, councils, households and families hard hit by the catastrophe.
A new Temporary Housing Support package will be established using $285.2 million of the funding, which will support those on the Northern Rivers who cannot live in their homes while they’re being repaired or rebuilt.
The Commonwealth estimates this could assist up to 25,000 households, and includes:
- Immediate hotel accommodation, to provide accommodation for four nights, with flexibility to increase while people make interim arrangements.
- Grants towards initial rental costs, from $6,000 for an individual up to $18,000 for a six person household
- Utilising Mobile Motor Homes and Recreation Camps for medium term accommodation
- Extending the Temporary Dwelling Program, which allows people to stay on their land in a caravan or demountable, for example.
Further, $90 million will go to 45 Local Government Areas to help with the removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste.
Grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers and up to $50,000 for small businesses and not for profit organisations devastated by flooding will also be extended to the additional 28 disaster declared LGAs, delivered by the Rural Assistance Authority and Service NSW.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this support package would help families, communities and businesses as they continue their recovery.
“We will continue to stand side by side with those affected by these devastating floods, from the initial emergency response, to the clean-up and as they look to the future,” the Prime Minister said.
“Supporting the immediate housing needs is a further critical area of support. There are many more steps ahead of us to restore these devastated communities that experienced the equivalent of an inland tsunami.”
Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was vital the thousands of people who had been displaced were able to get started with their recovery.
“This support package will help those impacted by the floods to get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” Premier Perrottet said.
“Rebuilding won’t be a quick process and that is why we are using a flexible approach to provide people with the help they need now and into the future so communities can rebuild their homes and businesses as quickly as possible.”
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