Two LGAs within Macarthur are among the 23 local government areas now entitled to disaster assistance following severe storms and flooding which continue to impact large areas of Sydney and the New South Wales coast.

The 23 LGAs are Campbelltown, Camden, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Canterbury Bankstown, Central Coast, Cessnock, Fairfield, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Kiama, Lithgow, Liverpool, Northern Beaches, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, The Hills and Wollongong.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Federal Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, has welcomed the quick response from both the Albanese & NSW State Governments as a good demonstration of governments working together in times of crisis.

“I am very glad to be part of a government that sees an issue, in this case a danger to our communities, and acts swiftly and appropriately,” he said.

This financial support follows the recent deployment of Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and assets by Prime Minister Albanese to assist with the rescue, recovery, and restoration of severely damaged areas.

Dr Freelander said that these responses are both quick and appropriate.

“It is very saddening to see local homes and businesses being damaged and livelihoods destroyed during this wild weather, and I extend my deepest sympathy to those affected,” he said.

Under the DRFA, assistance can be made available for:

  • Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (pursuant to certain eligibility criteria being met);
  • Support for affected local councils to assist with the cost of cleaning and restoring damaged roads and essential public assets;
  • Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations; and
  • Freight subsidiaries for primary producers.

Further information can be found through www.recovery.gov.au or www.raa.nsw.gov.au. Additional support can be obtained through Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Photograph: Poplar Caravan Park, Camden by Brett Atkins / Capture Camden