NATURAL DISASTER DECLARATION ISSUED FOR MOREE PLAINS, INVERELL AND GWYDIR SHIRES

Wednesday, 24 March 2021.

 

NORTHERN Tablelands MP Adam Marshall has today announced disaster recovery assistance is being made available to those in the Moree Plains, Inverell and Gwydir Shire Council local government areas impacted by severe storms and floods from 10 March 2021 onwards.

 

Mr Marshall took leave from NSW Parliament this morning to fly into Moree to support sand bagging efforts and inspect current flood damage.

 

A major flood warning remains in place for the Mehi River at Moree, which is currently at 9.56 metres (major flooding) and steady. The river level at Moree is likely to peak near 10.40 metres during Wednesday evening.

 

Major flooding continues along the Gwydir River between Gravesend Road Bridge and Yarraman Bridge during Wednesday.

 

Mr Marshall said disaster recovery assistance has been provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

 

“As we brace for this flood event to reach its peak at Moree, this announcement will help reassure those already affected that there is assistance available to cover the costs associated with responding to the disaster,” Mr Marshall said.

 

“Assistance is available for the operational response and to support households, small businesses, primary producers, not-for-profit organisations and councils as they continue to repair the damaged assets and essential public assets, such as roads.

 

“I encourage anyone in these affected local government areas who is in need of information on personal hardship and distress assistance to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88,” Mr Marshall said.

 

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

  • help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged
  • support for affected local councils to help 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
  • freight subsidies for primary producers, and
  • grants to eligible non-profit organisations.

 

To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

 

Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au and Service NSW at disasterassistance.service.nsw.gov.au

 

Mr Marshall said in the past 24 hours the NSW SES had responded to more than 80 requests for assistance, including a number of flood rescues.

 

“As this situation develops it remains so important that residents heed the changing advice and warnings of the Bureau of Meteorology and NSW SES,” Mr Marshall said.

 

“The majority of requests for assistance were for sand bagging however there has been a recorded case of people driving through flood waters which prompted a rescue.

 

“A large number of roads remain close across the region and the message remains if it is flooded forget it.”

 

In life threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately. If you require rescue, assistance to evacuate or other emergency help, ring NSW SES on 132 500.

 

  • Avoid drowning. Stay out of rising water, seek refuge in the highest available place.
  • Prevent damage to your vehicle. Move it under cover, away from areas likely to flood.
  • Avoid being swept away. Stay out of fast-flowing creeks and storm drains. Never drive, ride or walk through flood water. Flood water can be deceptive and dangerous.

 

For more emergency information, advice, and access to the latest river heights and rainfall observations and forecasts:

* NSW SES: www.ses.nsw.gov.au

* RMS Live Traffic: www.livetraffic.com

* Latest River Heights and Rainfall

* Observations: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/flood/northwest.shtml

* Latest NSW Warnings: www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings/

* Rainfall Forecasts: www.bom.gov.au/australia/meteye/

* BOM NSW Twitter: www.twitter.com/BOM_NSW

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