The Illawarra and Shoalhaven have been declared natural disaster areas, with the state and federal governments pledging immediate support for people and properties worst hit by the weekend storms.
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Mike Baird identified Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven in a list of 37 local government areas in need of immediate disaster assistance.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward said the joint commonwealth-state funding would help ease the financial burden that communities bear as a result of natural disasters.
“Our region certainly felt the brunt of some very harsh weather conditions over the weekend so this assistance package will provide a much needed helping hand to affected families and businesses and also ensure funding is available to help our local Councils to clean up and restore any damaged infrastructure,” Mr Ward said.
Mr Baird also announced the appointment of a State Recovery Coordinator to oversee the clean-up and recovery effort.
The Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements include assistance for ‘’eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged, and who meet an assets and income test’’ and provides help to councils to clean up and restore damaged public assets.
There are also concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations; freight subsidies for primary producers; and grants to not-for-profit organisations.
For personal hardship assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444. For a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, call 1800 678 593.
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