The Wingecarribee Shire will receive disaster assistance in a joint federal and state government initiative.

The funds aim to help ease the financial burden shouldered by residents, councils and businesses devastated by storms and floods earlier this year. 

This will include financial help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged, as well as support for affected councils to assist with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets. 

There will also be concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations; freight subsidies for primary producers; and grants to eligible non-profit organisations. 

Hume MP Angus Taylor said the relief would be provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, a jointly-funded Commonwealth-State initiative.

“The assistance will support storm and flood-affected communities in the local government areas of Kempsey, Nambucca, Shellharbour, Tenterfield, Wingecarribee and Wollongong,” he said.

“This assistance will allow local governments to get on with the job of rebuilding damaged infrastructure, like roads.”

If you would like to apply for a concessional loan, grant or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit raa.nsw.gov.au.

For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.