The floodwaters that have gushed through the veins of the Western Plains are falling as they make their way west, just as some local businesses are only now beginning to get back on their feet after weeks of stock damage, supply issues, and for some, isolation. With the recent Omicron outbreak only further working against them, the flood recovery grants could offer a reprieve for local businesses and not-for-profit organisations. 

Following the recent severe storm and flooding events, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations across almost the entirety of the Western Plains can now apply for grants of up to 50,000 to help them recover their losses. 

With flood levels in the Darling River at Bourke and Brewarrina only now just beginning to fall and minor flooding expected at Wanaaring from the Paroo River next week, in some locations this grant could provide relief for challenges that remain ongoing. 

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the grant is designed to help pay for costs of clean-up and reinstatement of operations for entities that suffered direct physical damage from the floodwaters brought by La Niña. 

“Our small businesses and not-for-profits were not immune to the impacts of storms and flooding that affected communities across the Parkes electorate at the end of last year,” Mr Coulton said. 

“They are the lifeblood of our regional communities, so it’s vital to provide support to help them clean up and keep operating,” Mr Coulton said. 

Primary producers will also be eligible for a recovery grant of up to $50,000, with local farmers facing a brutal blow amid what was looking to be a record breaking harvest. 

Mr Coulton described the event as another layer of what has been compounding disasters - from the drought to bushfires, a mice plague and global pandemic. 

“Many crops were washed away, while others were significantly downgraded, resulting in millions of dollars in losses for our farmers,” Mr Coulton said. 

Primary producers will be able to access grants for recovery and reinstatement activities, including salvaging crops and repairing damaged farm infrastructure and equipment.

“These grants will enable eligible primary production enterprises to access $10,000 up-front to help with initial recovery costs, and a further $40,000 to continue repairing the damage to their property, if required,” Mr Coulton said.

The grants are available in the local government areas of Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Cobar, Coonamble, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Gunnedah, Gwydir, Lachlan, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Narromine, Walgett, Warren, Warrumbungle, and the Unincorporated Area. 

Eligibility for the grants and how to apply can be found at the NSW Rural Assistance Authority site.