FLOOD RECOVERY

Our region is reeling from the impact of a catastrophic natural disaster, with the floods described as a one-in-500-year event. The scale of devastation is truly heartbreaking, homes, businesses, roads, primary producers and entire communities have been overwhelmed by rising waters.

I sincerely thank NSW SES, Fire and Rescue NSW, the Rural Fire Service, VRA and all emergency personnel and volunteers for their tireless efforts protecting lives and property. I thank all the community members who have stepped up to help neighbours, friends and strangers in the clean-up.

We are a strong and resilient region, and together we will get through this.

We are doing our best to ensure accuracy of information, but details may change as the situation evolves. This page will be updated as new information becomes available.
Last updated: 24 July 2025, 10:00am

FLOOD RECOVERY INFORMATION

Government support

Service NSW
Ph: 13 77 88
Locations:
Service NSW Tuncurry – Shop 10-12 Manning Street, Tuncurry
Service NSW Taree – 7 Macquarie Street, Taree
Website: service.nsw.gov.au/services/emergencies-and-natural-disasters

NSW Government Personal Hardship Assistance
Applications are now available to claim at Services NSW.
A one-off payment of $180 for individuals (up to $900 per family will be available from Service NSW to cover essential costs such as food, clothing, medicines and emergency accommodation.)
Please note that several localities have incorrectly been excluded from accessing this one-off payment, Service NSW are working on rectifying this mistake by undertaking further assessments.
Localities that have since been included:
Bobin, Burrell Creek, Caffrey’s Flat, Caparra, Cundle Flat, Elands, Killawarra, Kimbriki, Killabakh, Krambach, Marlee, Mooral Creek, Mount George, Nerong, Tuncurry, Wherrol Flat.

• Applications are now closed for this payment for suburbs added between 30 May and 9 July.
• If your suburb was added to the impacted suburb list on or after 10 July, applications will be open until 4 August 2025.

Website: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/individual-flood-grant-agrn-1212

Services Australia (Centrelink)
Support if you’ve been directly affected by NSW East Coast severe weather and flooding.
Ph: 180 22 66
Locations:
Tuncurry Service Centre – 116 Manning Street, Tuncurry
Taree Service Centre  – Shop 1, 184-188 Victoria Street, Taree 
Website: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/new-south-wales-east-coast-severe-weather-and-flooding-may-2025
How to apply: Apply via Services Australia website, myGov website or your myGov app.

Recovery grants for primary producers and rural landholders 

Natural Disaster Relief Grants
Primary producers directly impacted by flooding may be eligible for a grant of up to $25,000 to help with essential recovery costs.
Eligible primary producers can access an initial $5,000 by providing photographic evidence of direct damage, with the remaining funds (up to $20,000) available once valid tax invoices and proof of payment are submitted and verified.
More information, including eligibility criteria is available via the Rural Assistance Authority website.

Rural Landholder Grants
Eligible rural landholders may apply for grants of up to $10,000 to assist with minimising disruption and supporting recovery, helping rural landholders and aquaculture producers with essential recovery costs.
More information, including eligibility criteria is available via the Rural Assistance Authority website.

Recovery Grant for Small Businesses and Non-Profit Organisations
Small businesses or non-profit organisation impacted by recent severe weather events, may be eligible for a grant to help with the costs of clean-up, repairs and reopening.
A grant of up to $25,000 is available to eligible small businesses in impacted Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Apply here: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/small-business-recovery-grant-agrn-1198-1212

Evacuation Centres

All evacuation centres are now closed.
Further updates and changes will be listed here: https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/during-an-emergency/evacuation-centres

Recovery Centres

The NSW Reconstruction Authority is here to support your recovery.
For practical recovery advice and support visit a local Recovery Centre.
More centres will become accessible as recovery continues including mobile community outreach to ensure the smaller communities are also able to connect with supports.

Services Available:
• Service NSW
• Homes NSW
• Red Cross
• Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network
• Legal Aid
• Services Australia
• Salvation Army
• Vinnies
• Anglicare
• NSW Reconstruction Authority
Website: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/recovery-centres for details on assistance.

NSW Reconstruction Authority

Supporting community recovery needs on the ground including referrals to local services.
Website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority

Revenue NSW

If you have been impacted by a natural disaster and require assistance with your fines or fees.
Ph: 1300 138 118 to discuss your options.

MidCoast Council

For clean-up and waste collection services and to keep up to date on road closures and power outages.
Ph: 02 7955 7777
Locations:
Taree – 2 Biripi Way, Taree
MidCoast Council Customer Service Point – Forster – 4 Lake Street, Forster

MidCoast Council Website: https://www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/Home

MidCoast Council Flood Recovery Help
Find information to help you through the flood recovery in the MidCoast.
Website: https://haveyoursay.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/after-an-emergency

Wellbeing, health and mental health support

Medicare Mental Health Phone Line
For advice, information and connection.
Ph: 1800 595 212

Disaster Recovery Clinicians
Free mental health support and linking into other services.
Ph: 1800 011 511

Lifeline
Free, 24 hours telephone crisis support.
Ph: 13 11 14
Lifeline Crisis Text Service: 0477 13 11 14

Beyond Blue
Available 24/7 for free and confidential counselling.
Ph: 1300 22 4636

Kids Helpline
Free, private and confidential phone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.
Ph: 1800 55 1800

13YARN Australia
13YARN is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line.
Ph: 13 92 76

1800RESPECT
24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line.
Ph: 1800 737 732

NSW Mental Health Line
Staffed by trained mental health professionals for advice and referrals.
Ph: 1800 011 511

Dundaloo Allied Health
Clinical Psychologist Tamara Ferris is offering FREE sessions so you can focus on what needs to happen next in your recovery.
Ph: 02 6594 6898
Email: health@dundaloo.org.au

NSW Government
Maintaining health during and after floods.
Website: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/floods

Replacement medicine and prescriptions
Pharmacists may be able to help replace medicines or prescriptions.
Speak with your local pharmacy, GP or call healthdirect.
Ph: 1800 022 222 (healthdirect)

Information on coping with a crisis
Australian Red Cross
Booklet: https://www.redcross.org.au/globalassets/cms/downloads/pdfs/disaster-plan/coping-with-a-major-personal-crisis-booklet.pdf

Information for parents and caregivers, helping children and young people cope with crisis.
Australian Red Cross
Booklet: https://www.redcross.org.au/globalassets/cms/downloads/pdfs/disaster-plan/19060-red-crisis-children-booklet-d11-176×250-web.pdf

Waste & Clean up

NSW Government
Flood clean-up assistance and advice.
Website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/floods/recover/clean-up-advice

NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
If there is any risk that waste contains biological or chemical hazards or asbestos contamination, please contact the EPA.
Ph: 131 500
Website: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/

MidCoast Council flood damaged waste
MidCoast Council will be collecting flood damaged waste from kerbsides in flood impacted areas.
Register for collection by calling 7955 7777 and selecting option 1.

Flood damaged waste can be taken to our Taree and Gloucester Waste Management Centres free of charge until 6 June.

Australian Red Cross
Information on cleaning up after an emergency.
Booklet: https://www.redcross.org.au/globalassets/cms-assets/documents/emergency-services/cleaning-up-after-an-emergency-booklet.pdf

Animals

Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area Hotline
Help available includes animal assessment, vet support, emergency fodder and water, euthanasia on welfare grounds, livestock feeding advice and aerial support for stranded animals.
Ph: 1800 814 647

MidCoast Council deceased animals
For anyone who is in the unfortunate position of having to deal with deceased animals, requests for assistance regarding carcass disposal on private property can be lodged with the Animal and Agricultural Services Hotline by calling 1800 814 647.

Need for Feed – Lions Australia
Need for Feed is a volunteer-run initiative providing emergency fodder and support to farmers affected by natural disasters.
Website: https://www.needforfeed.org/apply-for-assistance.html

Injured Wildlife
For advice about assisting injured wildlife.
Ph: 1300 094 737
Website: https://www.wires.org.au/report-a-rescue

RSPCA
For assistance with pets and livestock (including horses).
Ph:1300 278 358

Grants

For information regarding grants that may be available to you.
Website: www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/financial-support-for-individuals

Insurance

Insurance Council of Australia
For insurance advice and guidance.
Ph: Disaster Hotline: 1800 734 621 (You cannot make a claim on this hotline.)
Website: https://insurancecouncil.com.au/

NRMA Insurance HELP Response Vehicle
NRMA Insurance, CGU, WFI and Rollin’
Location:
Bunnings Taree (Cnr Wingham Road & Bushland Drive)
From 9am – 4pm

• NRMA Insurance: 13 11 23 or www.nrma.com.au
• CGU Insurance: 13 24 80 or www.cgu.com.au
• WFI Insurance: 1300 934 934 or www.wfi.com.au
• ROLLiN’: https://rollininsurance.com.au/claims

NRMA
NRMA is on the ground helping customers affected.
Location:
Insurance Hub – Taree Leagues Sports Club, 43 Cowper St, Taree
From 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 27th May – Friday 13 June
Website:
https://www.nrma.com.au/support-recovery-hub

Suncorp Insurance, AAMI, GIO, Apia, Vero, Shannons, Terri Scheer (landlord insurance) and CIL (Caravan and RV insurance)
Location:
Insurance Hub – Taree Leagues Sports Club, 43 Cowper St, Taree
From 10am – 5pm
Tuesday 27th May – Friday 13 June

Bank Emergency Assistance

Major banks have launched emergency support packages, including:
• Deferral of loan repayments
• Fee waivers
• Emergency credit limit increases
• Support for insurance claims
Websites:
Westpac/St George – https://www.westpac.com.au/about-westpac/media/mediareleases/2025/22-may/
CBA – https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2025/05/CBA-EmergencyAssistance-Mid-North-Coast-Hunter.html
NAB – https://news.nab.com.au/news/nab-offers-disaster-relief-grants-following-newsouth-wales-floods/
ANZ – https://www.anz.com.au/newsroom/media/2025/may/anz-support-for-customersimpacted-by-flooding-nsw/

Legal Support & financial advice

NSW Government
Get legal services and advice for insurance claims to assist you in your recovery.
Website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/legal-and-insurance

Disaster Response Legal Service NSW
Free legal help if you’ve been affected by flooding.
Ph: 1800 801 529
Website: https://disasterhelp.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/

Legal Aid NSW
Legal advice and services.
Ph: 1300 888 529
Website: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/

Financial Counselling Australia
Free, independent financial counselling.
Ph: 1800 007 007
Website: https://www.financialcounsellingaustralia.org.au/

Rural Financial Counselling Service
Free, unbiased, independent, confidential and expert financial counselling support to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses.
Ph: 1800 344 090
Website: https://rfcsnsw.org.au/

Housing / Emergency Accommodation

Please visit a Recovery Centre OR call Service NSW.

Service NSW
If you need financial support or temporary housing.
Ph:  13 77 88

NSW Government
Landlords’ and tenants’ rights after an emergency.
Website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/landlords-tenants-rights

What to do immediately after a flood

NSW Government
Steps to help you recover after a major flooding or storm event, once you’re no longer in immediate danger.
Website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/floods/recover/immediately-after

Mail Redirection

Australia Post offers free Mail Redirection and Mail Hold services for up to 12 months to residents displaced by natural disasters, including flooding in the mid-north coast of New South Wales.
Website: https://auspost.com.au/receiving/mail-redirection-mail-hold/redirection/special-circumstances

Replacing Family Law Documents

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
If your divorce order, current orders or other family law documents have been lost or destroyed, you can get a free replacement copy at a family law registry.
Website: https://www.fcfcoa.gov.au/fl/pubs/natural-disasters

Farmers and Primary Producers

NSW Government
Find support to get your business back to work after a natural disaster.
Ph: 13 77 88
Website: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery/financial-support-for-businesses

Rural Financial Counselling Service
Free, unbiased, independent, confidential and expert financial counselling support to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses.
Ph: 1800 344 090
Website: https://rfcsnsw.org.au/

Damaged Fences

If you’re a regional landowner, call the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline.
Ph: 1800 814 647

NSW Rural Assistance Authority
If you’re a primary producer and your fencing has been damaged you may be eligible for support through Special Disaster Grants.
Ph: 1800 678 593

Donations

Vinnies NSW
Please donate to Vinnies NSW Flood Appeal to help people on the North Coast and other areas of NSW impacted by the devastating floods.
Website: https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-flood-appeal-2025

Australian Red Cross
The Australian Emergency Fund can help communities in Australia prepare for disasters and emergencies before they happen, and to respond and support recovery, through emotional and social support.
Website: https://act.redcross.org.au/event/fundraise-for-australian-emergency-fund

Volunteer