AN E-PETITION is now available on the NSW Parliament website calling for upgraded support to assist Hunter and Mid North Coast communities devastated by the May flood.
It has now been more than a month since parts of the Mid North Coast were impacted by severe weather which saw more than 5,000 properties inundated and five people killed.
The petition calls on the NSW Government to maximise Category C funding and urgently declare Category D funding for devastated small businesses, primary producers and communities in the two regions.
Category C provides assistance for severely affected communities, regions or sectors and includes clean-up and recovery grants for small businesses and primary producers and/or the establishment of a Community Recovery Fund.
Category D is exceptional circumstances assistance generally considered once the impact of the disaster has been assessed and specific recovery gaps identified.
Under the joint Australian Government-State Government cost sharing for the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, assistance is requested from the states and requires agreement from the Prime Minister.
The e-petition requires 20,000 online signatures to be formally debated in the Legislative Assembly and can be found at www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/la/pages/epetitions-list.aspx
Nationals Member for Lyne Alison Penfold said the flooding disaster had impacted the entire Mid North Coast community.
“It has been more than five weeks since the catastrophic floods, and still not a cent of Category D funding has been committed,” Penfold said.
“When Lismore flooded, the Coalition acted within days.
“Our communities are just as important, and they deserve the same urgency and respect.
“This recovery won’t be quick. It will take time, resources, and real support on the ground.
“People are exhausted and at the end of their tether.
“It is soul destroying to have to plead for assistance despite the masses of evidence in support of a claim.”
Meanwhile, Local Land Services (LLS) is encouraging landholders impacted by the recent floods to access the support, services and advice available to help them recover.
Andrew Mulligan, Recovery Coordinator for LLS, said recovery is a process, but landholders don’t have to face it alone.
“Our team of experts is on hand to assist with advice on animal assessment and veterinary advice, livestock feeding and management, pasture and cropping recovery, horticulture support, biosecurity surveillance, and erosion control and riverbank restoration.”
To help landholders in navigating recovery, LLS has compiled a range of practical resources online at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/floods/flood-recovery-resources.
The resources provide step-by-step advice on managing livestock after floods, including animal stress, disease risks, water and feed quality, and when to return animals to paddocks.
Landholders will also find information on assessing pasture damage, understanding soil condition, pasture re-establishment and reseeding options.
For those dealing with waterlogged crops, there is guidance on drainage, salvage and minimising longer-term crop losses. Properties affected by erosion can access support for managing riverbank damage, repairing fencing, and stabilising land.
Flood-affected primary producers are also encouraged to complete the Primary Industries Natural Disaster Damage Assessment.
This online survey captures critical information on losses to livestock, crops, fencing and infrastructure, helping government and industry better direct support and plan recovery efforts.
The survey can be accessed at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/damage.
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