As the damage of the continuing rain sets in, locals can now look to natural disaster assistance funds as a silver lining in a cloudy sky with the extension of eligible towns being announced today. 

Five new Western Plains towns have been declared under disaster status, a bittersweet status that makes residents eligible for disaster relief funding.  

The funding will now apply to Bourke, Coonamble, Narromine, Walgett, and Warren, meaning that almost the entirety of the Western Plains is eligible as flood waters proceed West throughout the week.  

The new additions join Brewarrina, Cobar, Gilgandra, Warrumbungle, and Lachlan shires who were announced early last week.  

So far, natural disaster status has been declared for 38 LGAs across New South Wales.   

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said that the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) will help councils, residents, primary producers, small businesses, and community groups recover from the severe weather event and flooding.  

“Our farmers in particular have been dealt a cruel blow, as hopes of a bumper harvest have sadly been washed away,” said Mr Coulton.  

“The severe weather has also wreaked havoc on local infrastructure and some homes, and with more rain on the way, the damage bill is expected to rise,” he said.  

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said that he has been on the receiving end of many distressed farmers during the wet weather period as a successful harvest slipped out of their hands, some with just a few days to finish.  

“Many farmers in these areas have had crops destroyed, downgraded as well as suffering up to 30 per cent yield loss through delayed harvest,” Mr Butler said.  

Disaster assistance from the fund currently includes help to restore damaged homes or belongings and the costs of cleaning and restoring damaged essential public assets. 

Primary producers and small businesses will also have access to concessional interest rate loans of up to $130,000 as well as freight subsidies reaching up to $15,000.  

While the full extent of the damage is unknown – and will remain that way until the lingering clouds disappear – Mr Barwon requested the deployment of Local Land Services staff to investigate the total cost of damage to crops to make a better assessment of what level of natural disaster relief payments are required.  

The announcement coincides with the Commonwealth has announced $50 million in new funding for flood mitigation infrastructure including levee upgrades and the installation of stormwater pumps.  

More information on what assistance may be available to you is available at the NSW Disaster Relief and Support website.