Disaster assistance is now available in the Lithgow local government area following severe storms and flash flooding on 11 January 2022.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Member for Calare and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel, Andrew Gee, said the storm event had caused significant damage during a short period of intense rainfall.
“Within just half an hour, more than 70mm battered parts of Lithgow, dousing the whole area in close to a month’s worth of rain,” said Minister Gee.
“In less time than a lunch break, the city was lashed with extreme rainfall, causing flash flooding in Lithgow itself and also across parts of the surrounding region.
“The most recent storms came out of nowhere and took everyone by surprise, leaving no time for the city the prepare for the barrage of rain.
“It’s been an incredibly tough couple of years for the whole Lithgow area.
“We’ve had drought, the bushfires, a mouse plague, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently, storms and floods.
“However, when the chips are down, Lithgow and its surrounding districts come together and pull through.
“It’s an extremely strong and vibrant community with a big heart, which has sustained it through the generations.
“I’m really pleased that the governments have swung into gear so quickly to make disaster relief available.
“The assistance announced today will support those members of the community who experienced damage to their homes and businesses and assist council to fix damaged roads and infrastructure.
“This support is aimed at helping people get back on their feet and I would encourage any resident or business which needs assistance to reach out for help.
“I’d also remind primary producers in the Lithgow local government area that grants of up to $50,000 are available to help assist following storm and flooding events in November last year,” said Mr Gee.
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
• 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, and
• Freight subsidies for primary producers.
Lithgow Mayor, Clr Maree Statham, commended the council staff on their quick response to the event.
“It saddened me to see people affected by last week’s storm events in Lithgow. The Council acted with urgency to safeguard people and property and to lend assistance. I was proud to witness these on the ground efforts,” Said Mayor Statham.
Lithgow City Council is also assisting those impacted who have registered their details with Council and encourages those yet to register to complete the online form at: https://council.lithgow.com/register-flood-updates/ or calling Council’s Community Recovery Officer on 0419 100 085 to register your information over the phone. Further updates will be provided on Council’s flood assistance page at https://council.lithgow.com/flooding-assistance/
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
To apply for a concessional loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au
