Walcha has been declared a natural disaster area after the catastrophic storm of December 20, and will receive government funding to help recover.
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“This ferocious storm that went through severely impacted farmers and their business operations,” Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said.
The disaster declaration opens opportunities for funding, support, and assistance to both council and farmers.
The news was a relief for the town, mayor Eric Noakes said.
“This will mean a lot to council in their costs of cleaning up our lengths of roadway, and repairing fences along there.
“It will also bring some surety to landholders that there will be assistance available to them now.”
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Walcha will receive financial assistance through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
The DRFA provides:
- 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 organizations
- Freight subsidies for primary producers; and
- Grants to non-profit organizations
Walcha has been declared a Category B under the DRFA. This category provides assistance to the state and/or local governments to restore essential public assets and certain counter-disaster operations.
It also covers assistance to small businesses, primary producers, not-for-profit organisations, and needy individuals through concessional loans, subsidies or grants.
Cr Noakes is seeking to have the assistance escalated to a Category C or D, which requires the Prime Minister’s approval.
Council will assess the cost of the roadside clean-up, and put in their claims to the Office of Emergency Management.
Farmers will be assessed individually on their needs; they should liaise directly with the Rural Assistance Authority to get the support and assistance they need.
Council was still looking into what assistance would be available for farmers.
"We've got to delve a little bit deeper into the policy and the legislation to see how it fully affects people," Cr Noakes said.
The Walcha News will bring you more information as it becomes available.
Council will keep the public informed through social media and the Council website.
The local government areas of Clarence Valley, Dungog, Mid Coast, and Warrumbungle have also been disaster declared.
Assistant Minister for Home Affairs Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds, responsible for Commonwealth disaster assistance, said the effects of the storm were still being realised.
“Through the DRFA, the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments are working collaboratively to ensure affected communities have the support they need to recover,” Assistant Minister Reynolds said.
NSW Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said the extension of joint government financial aid would support those who are suffering personal hardship, while funding for local councils will help with the cost of cleaning up.
“This assistance will ensure communities in these affected areas can better recover, rebuild, and replace damaged public infrastructure, including roads,” Minister Grant said.
“We know some people have been doing it really tough since these storms struck, so we’re very proud to lend a helping hand to make sure communities can get back on their feet that little bit quicker with the support they need.”
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.
To apply for a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
Information on disaster assistance available for this natural disaster can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au, and the Emergency NSW website at www.emergency.nsw.gov.au.