Emergency services and disaster relief
Emergency services
In case of fire, medical or police emergency, dial Triple Zero (000). Learn about our emergency services and how you can volunteer to help support your community.
Disaster Relief Grant for individuals
Financial assistance to eligible individuals and families whose homes have been damaged by a natural disaster.
Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) is providing assistance to the local government areas of:
- Ballina
- Byron
- Kyogle
- Lismore
- Richmond Valley
- Tweed.
The assistance includes:
- help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged
- support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
- concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and non-profit organisations
- freight subsidies for primary producers
- grants to non-profit organisations.
Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant thanked emergency services personnel and volunteers for their work during the floods.
"We are committed to ensuring those impacted by flooding have the support they need to recover and rebuild and will extend assistance to other areas if required," Mr Grant said.
Federal Minister for Justice Michael Keenan reminded communities to listen to the advice of emergency services.
"As this flood event is still unfolding, I urge people to stay safe," Mr Keenan said.
Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website and the NSW emergency information and response website.
Helping small business recover
A $1 million business support package from the NSW Government will help small businesses in Lismore and Tweed get back on their feet.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business, John Barilaro, said the grants would help local businesses recover, open their doors and grow into the future.
“With Easter fast approaching I urge people to help Lismore and Murwillumbah businesses get back on their feet when they re-open,” Mr Barilaro said.
In addition, "Category C" disaster recovery assistance provided through the NDRRA is available. Eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations can access grants of up to $15,000 to assist with their clean-up and recovery costs.
To apply for a recovery grant, small businesses in the Lismore and Tweed local government areas can contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.
Recovery grants
Eligible primary producers who have been severely affected by the North Coast floods can access recovery grants through the NDRRA.
- Ballina
- Byron
- Kyogle
- Lismore
- Richmond Valley
- Tweed
The grants will help farmers with their recovery by funding clean-up and reinstatement activities, including salvaging crops, replacing pasture, purchasing fodder and repairing damaged equipment and machinery.
The grants are available in addition to the low interest rate loans and freight subsidies that have already been made available.
Eligible small businesses and non-profit organisations in parts of Byron and Tweed, including Tumbulgum, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby and Burringbar, can also apply for recovery assistance.
To apply for a recovery grant, flood-affected primary producers , small businesses and non-profit organisations should contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority.
