
Tanya Thompson, Member for Myall Lakes has announced that residents in the Mid Coast Local Government Area (LGA), affected by the severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall from 15 January 2025, can now access disaster recovery support. This follows the inclusion of the Mid Coast LGA in the expanded Natural Disaster Declaration.
The announcement brings relief to the Mid Coast community, ensuring access to assistance measures under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). These measures include:
- Support for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency 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.
Mrs Thompson advocated for the inclusion of the Mid Coast region in the expanded declaration.
“Severe storms can have devastating impacts, on homes, businesses, and our communities.
“Ensuring the Mid Coast was included in this disaster recovery declaration was essential to provide our residents and council with the resources they need to get back on their feet.
“I encourage those impacted to explore the available support and reach out for assistance,” said Mrs Thompson.
For more information on disaster assistance, visit www.disasterassist.gov.au