Dozens of ADF personnel to assist recovery efforts in flood affected NSW Mid North Coast communities after PM confirms additional support
Dozens of Australian Defence Force personnel are being deployed to the New South Wales Mid North Coast to help with recovery efforts in flood-affected communities.
Anthony Albanese confirmed on Monday that the federal government was providing on the ground clean-up support, in addition to financial assistance for residents.
The Prime Minister made the announcement from the national situation room in Canberra ahead of a visit back to communities devastated by last week's deadly flooding.
"From tomorrow, we will have 70 Australian Defence Force personnel on the ground in the Mid North Coast, helping with recovery, helping with clean-up as well," he said.
"As well as that, there'll be a team from Disaster Relief Australia, 25 initially. There'll be 100 personnel from DRA on the ground by the end of this week to provide assistance.
"They will be involved in clean-up, in debris removal, in welfare checks and re-establishing critical infrastructure that is so important for these communities."
The government previously said residents most severely impacted by the flooding would have access to the Disaster Recovery Allowance, with other financial support offered.
"The Disaster Recovery Allowance is up to 13 weeks of income support for those who've lost work due to this event in the four most severely affected local government areas," Mr Albanese said.
"Eligible individuals can apply from 2pm today through the myGov app or through the Services Australia website. The personal hardship payments are going out, $180 for eligible adults and up to $900 per family in the 19 affected local government areas.
"The community recovery support fund is immediately available - $1 million for these 19 councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and repairing damage and that funding is available immediately.
"For primary producers and small businesses, concessional rate loans, as well as freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder will be available as well. We'll continue to monitor what is necessary and we will ensure that the government does have your back if you're in these affected communities."
The 19 council areas include Armidale, Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter and Walcha.
Mr Albanese visited Maitland in the Hunter Valley on Friday to meet with SES personnel and provide an update on the floods but said he will travel further north to where the flooding was most severe.
"Tomorrow, I'll travel to visit affected communities, and to see first hand again what the impact is having," he said.
"Can I say for those people who've lost loved ones, my heart goes out to you.
"This is a devastating impact and we need to... continually remind people, if it's flooded, forget it. Do not take risks. There are still risks out there."
Five people died in the flooding disaster.
Tens of thousands of residents were cut off and left without electricity, while initial estimates indicate 10,000 properties have been damaged by the floods, which most severely impacted Taree and areas around Port Macquarie.
"Unfortunately, we are getting far too much experience in dealing with extreme weather events. The science told us that there would be more frequent events and that they would be more intense," Mr Albanese said.
"That is what we are seeing playing out with the devastating impact on communities, most significantly a devastating human impact with five lives lost during this event, but also a significant environmental impact and of course, a significant economic impact as well."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Sky News AU
NSW floods: More than 800 properties deemed ‘uninhabitable' as 6,500 damage assessments completed
Hundreds of properties have now been deemed 'uninhabitable' by the New South Wales State Emergency Service in the aftermath of deadly flooding that has caused devastation across the state. The civil defence service is continuing to resupply communities isolated and assess areas damaged by last week's weather event that killed five people in flood-related tragedies. Matt Heap from NSW SES told on Tuesday that over 800 properties, which ranged from residential to industrial buildings, have already been deemed 'uninhabitable'. The figure comes as about 6,500 property assessments have so far been completed. NSW SES reported on Monday it had responded to 7,713 incidents during the disaster, which included 794 flood rescues. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday announced the activation of a one-off Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment across nine local government areas. The payment, which is $1,000 to eligible adults and $400 to eligible children, will be made available from 2pm on Wednesday to people in certain areas. Mr Albanese said the financial offering payment will assist locals who have "suffered the most serious impacts" of the floods, including incurring significant damage to their homes, serious injury or "loss of a loved one". Meanwhile, the NSW government has opened a number of recovery centres in parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast areas on Tuesday as floodwaters continue to subside. The centres are offering services such as mental health support and insurance guidance to those affected in hard-hit communities including Taree, Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Macksville and Maitland. NSW Minister for Recovery and Small Business Janelle Saffin said people are 'doing it tough' in those areas affected. 'We are going to be here the long haul, not just for the immediate clean-up, but for the months ahead as people begin to rebuild their lives,' she said in a statement. 'It's going to be a tough process but I want the community to know that we will be here with you.'
ABC News
6 days ago
- ABC News
Veteran-led group helps flooded communities in NSW
The clean up is just beginning after record breaking floods hit northern NSW, with hundreds of homes declared unlivable along a large stretch of coastline. Locals have praised the State Emergency Service and other forces like the police, who send out warnings, rescue people and animals and guarantee safety. But locals in areas like Taree, which was one of the hardest hit, have expressed dismay over a lack of support for the massive clean up effort, which will continue for the days, weeks and even years ahead. A not for profit organisation called Disaster Relief Australia made up of veterans and other volunteers is already helping people with this effort, but its funding beyond the middle of next year is not guaranteed. ABC NewsRadio's Sarah Morice spoke with Chief executive of Disaster Relief Australia David Smith.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- The Advertiser
Flood damage heartbreak as army called in for clean-up
People have been picking up their muddied possessions and surveying damage from "heartbreaking" floods, as troops are deployed to help with the massive clean-up. The number of homes deemed uninhabitable from the NSW mid-north coast floods rose to 400 on Monday, with 12,000 residents in multiple towns isolated. State MP Michael Kemp said it was tough touring ravaged regions and seeing "people's livelihoods on the side of the kerb". The after-effects of the floods that killed five people were "heartbreaking", NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said. "To see people's possessions on sidewalks, to see the impact on dairy cattle, to see the impact right across this region is really difficult," he said. "But what it does do is steel us to stand alongside the community to make sure we provide support." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched from Tuesday to help with recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from non-government group Disaster Relief Australia, and volunteers from grassroots groups will bolster support on the ground. Artist and gallery owner Nadia Zarb moved to Taree four years ago and said she did not know how she could have coped with her second flood in that time if not for community support. "I'm actually not too bad ... because I've had the help," she told AAP. "We've got the best community, we've got the support around us and I couldn't ask for anything more." More than 3500 damage assessments have been completed, resulting in 400 homes deemed uninhabitable around Taree, Wingham and Glenthorne. The figure is expected to rise sharply as damage to an estimated 10,000 properties across the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW is evaluated. Those who have lost income in the four worst-affected areas can apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker for up to 13 weeks. Primary producers are eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. It is part of joint federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements activated for 19 local government areas, including small loans for business. Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs who has been stranded for three days on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow them to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties. The state government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. But communities could face a new weather threat in coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. People have been picking up their muddied possessions and surveying damage from "heartbreaking" floods, as troops are deployed to help with the massive clean-up. The number of homes deemed uninhabitable from the NSW mid-north coast floods rose to 400 on Monday, with 12,000 residents in multiple towns isolated. State MP Michael Kemp said it was tough touring ravaged regions and seeing "people's livelihoods on the side of the kerb". The after-effects of the floods that killed five people were "heartbreaking", NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said. "To see people's possessions on sidewalks, to see the impact on dairy cattle, to see the impact right across this region is really difficult," he said. "But what it does do is steel us to stand alongside the community to make sure we provide support." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched from Tuesday to help with recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from non-government group Disaster Relief Australia, and volunteers from grassroots groups will bolster support on the ground. Artist and gallery owner Nadia Zarb moved to Taree four years ago and said she did not know how she could have coped with her second flood in that time if not for community support. "I'm actually not too bad ... because I've had the help," she told AAP. "We've got the best community, we've got the support around us and I couldn't ask for anything more." More than 3500 damage assessments have been completed, resulting in 400 homes deemed uninhabitable around Taree, Wingham and Glenthorne. The figure is expected to rise sharply as damage to an estimated 10,000 properties across the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW is evaluated. Those who have lost income in the four worst-affected areas can apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker for up to 13 weeks. Primary producers are eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. It is part of joint federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements activated for 19 local government areas, including small loans for business. Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs who has been stranded for three days on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow them to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties. The state government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. But communities could face a new weather threat in coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. People have been picking up their muddied possessions and surveying damage from "heartbreaking" floods, as troops are deployed to help with the massive clean-up. The number of homes deemed uninhabitable from the NSW mid-north coast floods rose to 400 on Monday, with 12,000 residents in multiple towns isolated. State MP Michael Kemp said it was tough touring ravaged regions and seeing "people's livelihoods on the side of the kerb". The after-effects of the floods that killed five people were "heartbreaking", NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said. "To see people's possessions on sidewalks, to see the impact on dairy cattle, to see the impact right across this region is really difficult," he said. "But what it does do is steel us to stand alongside the community to make sure we provide support." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched from Tuesday to help with recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from non-government group Disaster Relief Australia, and volunteers from grassroots groups will bolster support on the ground. Artist and gallery owner Nadia Zarb moved to Taree four years ago and said she did not know how she could have coped with her second flood in that time if not for community support. "I'm actually not too bad ... because I've had the help," she told AAP. "We've got the best community, we've got the support around us and I couldn't ask for anything more." More than 3500 damage assessments have been completed, resulting in 400 homes deemed uninhabitable around Taree, Wingham and Glenthorne. The figure is expected to rise sharply as damage to an estimated 10,000 properties across the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW is evaluated. Those who have lost income in the four worst-affected areas can apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker for up to 13 weeks. Primary producers are eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. It is part of joint federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements activated for 19 local government areas, including small loans for business. Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs who has been stranded for three days on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow them to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties. The state government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. But communities could face a new weather threat in coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned. People have been picking up their muddied possessions and surveying damage from "heartbreaking" floods, as troops are deployed to help with the massive clean-up. The number of homes deemed uninhabitable from the NSW mid-north coast floods rose to 400 on Monday, with 12,000 residents in multiple towns isolated. State MP Michael Kemp said it was tough touring ravaged regions and seeing "people's livelihoods on the side of the kerb". The after-effects of the floods that killed five people were "heartbreaking", NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said. "To see people's possessions on sidewalks, to see the impact on dairy cattle, to see the impact right across this region is really difficult," he said. "But what it does do is steel us to stand alongside the community to make sure we provide support." Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said 70 Australian Defence Force personnel would be dispatched from Tuesday to help with recovery and clean-up efforts. "The presence of ADF personnel on the ground brings enormous confidence to communities that are really doing it tough," he told reporters on Monday. "It's a sign of how seriously we, as a nation, are taking what is a catastrophic event." Another 100 people, mostly veterans, from non-government group Disaster Relief Australia, and volunteers from grassroots groups will bolster support on the ground. Artist and gallery owner Nadia Zarb moved to Taree four years ago and said she did not know how she could have coped with her second flood in that time if not for community support. "I'm actually not too bad ... because I've had the help," she told AAP. "We've got the best community, we've got the support around us and I couldn't ask for anything more." More than 3500 damage assessments have been completed, resulting in 400 homes deemed uninhabitable around Taree, Wingham and Glenthorne. The figure is expected to rise sharply as damage to an estimated 10,000 properties across the Hunter and mid-north coast regions of NSW is evaluated. Those who have lost income in the four worst-affected areas can apply via myGov for support equivalent to JobSeeker for up to 13 weeks. Primary producers are eligible for freight subsidies to help transport livestock and fodder. It is part of joint federal-state natural disaster recovery arrangements activated for 19 local government areas, including small loans for business. Despite floodwaters receding, rescuers face challenging conditions. In one case, they had to paddle two hours to reach two people and their working dogs who has been stranded for three days on a remote farm near Kempsey. The crew ripped down a bamboo fence and crafted a makeshift raft to tow them to safety, with the spotlight from a drone guiding them as night fell, Fire and Rescue NSW said. Heavy-lifting drones have been used to drop hay to isolated farms and for aerial welfare checks at properties. Using bulk water carriers, firefighters have been moving 250,000 litres an hour from Kempsey's town centre back into the Macleay River. Insurers have received more than 3500 claims so far, 80 per cent of which are personal property claims. Flood-affected residents are being asked to be patient and await advice from the SES before returning to their properties. The state government is opening five recovery centres in flood-impacted areas from Tuesday, offering a range of support services to affected residents. But communities could face a new weather threat in coming days. A cold front with strong winds of 60 to 80km/h due on Monday and Tuesday could hamper recovery efforts, cause damage and bring down trees, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.
