An all-too familiar site across the Moree Plains Shire. Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has issued a plea to the Federal Government to stop delaying and approve a request from NSW for Category D disaster declaration assistance for the region in the wake of last week’s devastating flood.
Thursday, 3 November 2022
Still waiting for disaster declaration assistance approval
NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today called on the Commonwealth Government to immediately sign off on an application for Category D disaster assistance for the Moree Plains Shire, in the wake of last week’s devastating floods.
Mr Marshall, who was in Moree again today, said the community was increasingly frustrated with the delay in having the application, which was made by the NSW Premier over a week ago, approved by the Federal Government.
“I cannot understand why it’s taking so long, given how quickly previous Category D declaration requests for flood-effected areas have been signed off,” Mr Marshall said.
“The Premier indicated during his visit to Moree last Tuesday that he’d written to the Commonwealth Government making the request for the increased declaration
“This declaration – and the direct financial assistance which flows from it – will be crucial in helping our community rebound from this devastating flood event – the second major flood in 15 months.”
Mr Marshall said the Moree Plains Shire was the food bowl of the State, producing on average more than $1 billion worth of grain and cotton each year.
“We know the flood has wiped out significantly downgraded approximately half of the grain crops standing in the paddocks for harvest and cotton just planted in the ground.
“In terms of the rural road network, a considerable number of kilometres are still under water, especially west of Moree, but council believes the repair bill will be around $70 million alone.
“This direct cost to the Moree Plains Shire of more than half a billion dollars in lost production and local road damage doesn’t even include putting a price on damage to people’s homes and properties.
“With harvest just around the corner, we needed this assistance approved yesterday.
“We cannot afford any more delays and I call on the Commonwealth Government to put pen to paper today and help get the money out the door to those hit hardest by this flood.”