Mid-North Coast Flooding - November 2009

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment has been activated to assist those who have been adversely affected by the storms and associated flooding that began on 5 November 2009, in the Mid-North Coast region of New South Wales. On Thursday 5 November 2009, extreme rainfall hit the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales (NSW). Over 48 hours there was 528mm of rain in the Coffs Harbour area and 351mm in Bellingen which caused minor to moderate river flooding and localised flash flooding in the region. A Natural Disaster was declared for the NSW shires of Nambucca, Bellingen, Kempsey, and Coffs Harbour.

Assistance

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment rate is $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per child. Claims for this assistance can be lodged at Centrelink until 10 May 2010.

This payment will be made available where:

  1. a person has been seriously injured
  2. a person was isolated in their principal place of residence for a period of 24 hours or more
  3. a person was unable to return to their principal place of residence for a period of  24 hours or more
  4. a person’s principal place of residence has been destroyed
  5. a person’s principal place of residence has sustained major damage, or
  6. a person is the principal carer of a dependant child who is adversely affected.

For more information on eligibility or if you have any queries, please visit the Centrelink website or contact the Australian Government’s NSW November 2009 Floods Hotline on 180 2333.

Media Release

Media Release: Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs - Help for flood-affected people on the Mid North Coast.

Additional Assistance

Under the standard Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) assistance is being provided to those affected by the recent flooding.

For people in New South Wales seeking further information on other assistance available such as personal hardship and distress (PHD) grants contact the NSW Department of Community Services on 1800 018 444.

Further detail can be found in a media release from the Attorney-General Robert McClelland on 8 November 2009.