The assistance measures are being provided by the Australian and New South Wales Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Assistance for individuals
Immediate assistance: This assistance is intended to meet the essential emergency needs of people who are directly affected by the disaster and have no other means of meeting their immediate needs (such as evacuees who are unable to access their personal finances or arrange alternative forms of assistance). The assistance may be provided during and in the days after the disaster. Assistance is provided through in-kind direct material aid e.g. emergency accommodation or small cash payments to purchase essential items.
Immediate assistance is generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
Grants for essential household contents: These grants will assist with the cost of replacing household items essential to maintaining a basic standard of living. Examples of essential household contents include bedding, furniture, clothing, and essential electrical items (e.g. refrigerator, washing machine, stove). These grants assist low-income residents, not covered by insurance, who have no other means of restoring their homes to a safe and habitable condition following the disaster event. Grants are subject to income and assets testing. The amount of assistance provided depends on the assessed needs of the affected household and the number and type of items that have been damaged.
Grants for essential structural repairs to homes: These grants provide a contribution toward essential structural repairs to low income home owners who have no other means of restoring their homes to a safe and habitable condition following the disaster event, and who are not covered by insurance. Grants are subject to income and assets testing. The amount of assistance provided depends on an assessment of structural repairs required and the number of occupants in the home.
· State administering agency: NSW Reconstruction Authority
· Enquiry contact: Service NSW on 13 77 88.
Assistance for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
Concessional interest rate loans (direct damage) to small businesses and primary producers:
Loans of up to $130,000 at a fixed concessional interest rate may be available to small businesses and primary producers (subject to certain eligibility criteria) that have been directly impacted by a disaster. These loans may be used to meet carry-on requirements or to repair or replace damaged property not covered by insurance.
· State administering agency: NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593
Freight subsidies for primary producers: Transport freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent on the carriage of livestock and fodder are available to help primary producers. The maximum subsidy available is $15,000 per annum.
· State administering agency: NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593
Concessional interest rate loans (direct damage) and grants to non-profit organisations:
Assistance to sporting and recreation clubs: A special scheme is available to assist sporting and recreation clubs in meeting the costs of restoration of essential club facilities that have been damaged or destroyed.
The assistance is only made available to clubs that do not have the financial capacity to meet restoration costs from their own resources, and who are unable to obtain assistance through normal channels, but that have the capacity to repay any loan that may be granted. The maximum assistance provided to any single applicant is a grant of up to $2,000 and/or a loan of up to $10,000 at a concessional interest rate.
· State administering agency: NSW Treasury for grant assistance. Enquiry contact: NSW Treasury via email at natural_disasters@treasury.nsw.gov.au
· State administering agency: NSW Rural Assistance Authority for loan assistance. Enquiry contact: 1800 678 593.
Loans to non-profit organisations: Loan assistance is available to voluntary non-profit organisations for the restoration of essential facilities that have been damaged or destroyed. Assistance is only available to those organisations that do not have the financial capacity to meet restoration costs from their own resources or insurance and are unable to obtain assistance through normal channels. Advances are subject to a maximum of $25,000 at a concessional interest rate per annum.