Residents of the Walgett Shire Council have just become eligible for disaster assistance following minor flood levels in June and July this year, as the Barwon and Darling Rivers continue to rise. 

SES Western Zone Deputy Commander Josh Clarke said that the minor flooding of June and July may have been inconsequential to the town in comparison to floods in the past 12 months but disaster assistance will go towards hidden damages confronting council, local businesses and farmers. 

“There was very little consequence to the town…but this will enable the local government council to apply for assistance in regards to recovery of infrastructure and repairs to roads that might have been impacted,” Mr Clarke said. 

“Also local farmers within the local government area will be able to receive support where fenced have been damaged, property has been impacted, and potential loss of animals,” he said. 

The newly announced assistance brings the total number of LGAs receiving assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to 44, a daunting indication of the ongoing flooding that has swelled across the state since late last year. 

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said that while the rain didn’t necessarily fall in Walgett, flooding river systems are impacting regions further inland. 

“The rain may have stopped, but the impact continues as floodwaters make their way down the Barwon and Namoi river systems, leaving councils with major repair works to their road infrastructure,” Minister Watt said.

New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said significant recovery support will be required to support flood-affected individuals, families, farmers and business owners. 

“The number of LGAs subject to a natural disaster declaration demonstrates the wide-reaching impact of the June-July flood event, stretching from Shoalhaven in the south to Kempsey in the north, and now extending as far as Cabonne and Walgett,” Ms Cooke said. 

Disaster assistance under DRFA may include: 

• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• Financial support for small businesses, not-for-profit organisations and primary producers
• Freight subsidies for primary producers
• Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged

Applications can be made here.