The Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet visited our region this week to view the extensive flood damage and announce funding to support the recovery process.
On Wednesday 9 March the Prime Minister announced the following funding:
- An additional two weekly disaster payments for Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley LGAs, automatic at the current rate of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child. This will be automatic if you have already applied with payment on the 15th and 22nd of March.
- Support for Norco to support jobs and help restore their operations.
- $10 million to support the mental health of school-aged children. This will be through the ‘Resilient Kids’ program.
- $800,000 to extend the Regional Small Business Support Program.
- $10 million to boost existing legal assistance services.
- $25 million for emergency relief, food relief and financial counselling services.
- $6.9 million in support payments of $10,000 to assist early childhood education and care (ECEC) services that have been closed for more than seven days. More severely impacted services will also be able to apply for Community Child Care Fund Special Circumstances grants
- $7 million to expand the Commonwealth’s business recovery and resilience service, Strengthening Business.
- $31.2 million to deliver immediate and longer-term local mental health support services for individuals, families, and communities impacted by the disaster.
- $4.7 million to ensure the immediate continuity of primary health care services for flood-impacted Australians.
The NSW Premier followed the Prime Ministers lead with announcements of funding for housing, financial support and the clean-up on Thursday 10 March.
- An extension to the temporary housing program to allow people to stay on their land in a ‘pod’ dwelling while they rebuild ($20 million)
- Mobile motorhomes will arrive from 13th March providing temporary accommodation ($10 million)
- The hiring of recreational camps to accommodate 270 people
- $4.5 million to support the Housing Flood Recovery Service to manage long term housing needs and recovery
- 16 weeks rental support for those that need it ($248 million)
- $90 million to clean up the streets of flood-related damage
While we expect more will be needed as the recovery continues, this weeks announcements of immediate funding and actions to start rebuilding are welcomed.
This support for the Northern Rivers recovery is jointly funded by the federal and state governments. Read the Prime Ministers media release here
