Councils Welcome Another Flood Support Package

An additional recovery package of over $855 million to assist communities still reeling from the catastrophic flooding disasters has been welcomed by councils as they continue with rebuilding and recovery efforts.

Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President Cr Darriea Turley AM today praised the NSW and Federal Governments for the much-needed additional funding.
The latest State and Commonwealth government assistance package includes:

$312.5 million for a Stage 1 Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package to rebuild road networks, particularly in the Northern Rivers
$168 million for the NSW Land and Housing Corporation to deliver urgent social housing and to replace social housing lost during the floods
$120 million for Aboriginal housing, including repair and reconstruction of Aboriginal community infrastructure
$100 million for the repair and reconstruction of infrastructure such as libraries, playing fields, playgrounds and parks
$64 million for urgent repair and restoration of key wetlands and riverbank sites
$36 million for urgent works required to access and repair flood levees across Northern NSW, and
$56.25 million for the NSW Back Home Program to support dwellings within the seven Northern Rivers LGAs and the Hawkesbury LGA.

“We are thrilled to see more government funding on top of the nearly $3 billion being provided to the hardest-hit councils as they battle through these tough times,” Cr Turley said.

“As councils are the closest to their communities, our mayors, councillors and council staff have been on the ground working tirelessly to save homes, businesses and community infrastructure."

“In regional and rural areas, councils play a significant role in the everyday life of their communities, and they know what is needed in times like this."

“Councils have been calling for this desperately needed extra funding to really help get their communities back on their feet."

“It is pleasing to see a focus on assisting Aboriginal communities as well as delivering and replacing social housing – a huge issue our state continues to face."

“We always need to ensure our most vulnerable communities are well looked after and aren’t left behind."

“It is also pleasing to see a commitment to rebuilding road networks and community infrastructure to keep communities well connected."

“Roads and road maintenance is probably the biggest single item in council budgets across the state as NSW councils are responsible for 90 per cent of the roads."

“Maintenance costs are surging, and local government’s financial capacity is weakening, so it is essential for the government to allocate funding to build stronger roads."

“It is also great to see money provided to repair and reconstruct libraries, youth and senior citizens facilities, playing fields and courts, playgrounds and parks."

“These facilities are what keep a community thriving and have many beneficial factors for all."

“Rebuilding community hubs is not just important for the social networks of our communities, but also for delivering a locally led economic recovery."

“While this additional funding package will help move communities from the recovery stage into the reconstruction stage, there is more that needs to be done to ensure these communities are resilient for the future."

“The extent of the damage caused to Northern NSW is so severe that these communities will need a lot of support to get back to their pre-disaster condition."

“As floods become more recurrent during a changing climate, communities need to be built back stronger and not just to their pre-disaster state."

“I hope the State and Federal governments continue to provide as much support as needed to our flood-affected areas."

“Our councils have been doing a tremendous job over these past two months as they battle through these horrific times."

“LGNSW will continue to advocate for flood-affected communities to ensure they receive the resources and support they need and won’t be left behind.”

Source: Local Government NSW