Assistance Available - Natural Disaster Declared for Cabonne
Published on 16 August 2022
On 16 August 2022, a state of natural disaster was declared for the Cabonne LGA following severe weather and flooding experienced in June and July.
The Cabonne community will be able to access a range of support measures under the joint Commonwealth and State Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Nationals Upper House MP Sam Farraway said the natural disaster declaration would unlock much needed funds to support residents impacted by the flooding event.
Cabonne Mayor Kevin Beatty has welcomed the announcement that the Cabonne LGA has been included in the funding arrangement, saying that "Supporting our community during this trying time is incredibly important."
"This assistance will help Council restore essential public assets such as local roads, a number of which have been damaged and some still remain under water this week."
With the addition of Cabonne and Walgett, the total number of LGAs receiving assistance under the funding has now risen to 44.
Assistance available for Cabonne includes:
- Support for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged;
- Assistance to support affected local councils with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets;
- Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations; and
- Freight subsidies for primary producers.
Cr Beatty said Cabonne Council is responsible for maintaining and repairing a 2000km road and infrastructure network. This season’s unprecedented rainfall has struck a hard blow on top of an already big task.
"It’s important to remember that even when the rain stops the impact continues and floodwaters make their way down the river systems."
"Work has already begun to repair many of the damaged roads, but please bear with us while the rain continues to slow the progress down."
For information relating to financial assistance, small business support, replacing lost documents, Recovery Centre locations and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au/floods