Declarations of a natural disaster have been made in 16 local government areas across New South Wales.
It means councils, business owners and residents will be able to access government funding to get back on their feet once the flood water subsides.
View Natural Disaster Declarations in a larger map
Minister for Emergency Services Mike Gallacher met with SES volunteers in Taree and Wingham this morning.
He is currently travelling to Narrabri to assess the damage.
Senior adviser to Mr Gallacher, John Macgowan, said it was not a definitive list of natural disaster declarations.
"Gaining a declaration is dependent on local councils sending in an assessment to this office, which is obviously hard to do while council is still in emergency management mode and evacuating residents," he said.
"You can't blame them for being busy so we'll look at all the information as it comes in."
Member for the Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay welcomed the declarations.
"While parts of the state are facing isolation due to floods, the ongoing wet weather is causing further damage to roads, bridges and farm infrastructure which hasn't yet recovered for damaging weather last year," said Mr Torbay.
"Ratepayers are now faced with massive bills to rectify this ongoing damage ... put simply, councils are not in a position to rectify it without substantial support from federal and state governments."
Local government areas declared natural disaster zones:
Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Greater Taree, Gwydir, Inverell, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Moree, Nambucca, Narrabri, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield,Tweed.
Assistance available through Natural Disaster Declarations on an eligibility basis includes:
- Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance. Ph: 1800 018 444 Website;
- Primary Producers. Loans of up to $130,000 at a concessional interest rate. Ph: 1800 678 593 Website;
- Primary Producers. Transport Subsidies. Ph: 1800 814 647 Website;
- Small Businesses loans up to $130,000. Ph: 1800 678 593 Website;
- For councils. Grants to meet additional costs of emergency work to restore essential services. Ph: 9372 8871 Website;
- Sporting Clubs. Possible grants Ph: 9228 5181 to inquire about eligibility.
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