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ISCOVER
Temporary housing and rental support are on the way for thousands of people left stranded after floodwaters left widespread devastation across northern NSW.
It’s been more than two weeks since the major flood event, and while some people have found temporary accommodation, many remain overcrowded in evacuation centres, sparking the Commonwealth and NSW governments to transition people into more longer-term solutions.
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People in need of accommodation are being encouraged to register with Service NSW.
Of the $285 million temporary housing support package, $248 million will go towards a rental support scheme (accessible by March), with $20 million to extend the temporary housing program and allow people to stay on their land in a temporary “pod” dwelling while rebuilding.
Temporary accommodation, such as mobile motor homes will be delivered by 13 March, valued at $10 million, with an additional $4.5 million to support the housing flood recovery service.
A further $2.5 million will be allocated to provide temporary housing through the hiring of recreation camps in the Northern Rivers, with capacity for up to 270 people and on-site facilities for cooking and hygiene.
Plus $150,000 for a housing brokerage service enabling the Australian Red Cross to work with private rental companies, such as Airbnb and Stayz, to help connect people with rental homes.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said with floodwaters now receding, the NSW government is putting every available resource into supporting the recovery effort.
“Our key focus areas right now are clean-up, housing and financial supports. We know there is more to do and this is just the start of the recovery process,” Mr Perrottet said.
“We have close to 100 clean-up crews in action across Northern Rivers and the Hawkesbury regions, removing 4,000 tonnes of waste a day.”
Mr Perrottet said the government is currently assisting 2,000 people with accommodation and now transitioning into a more medium-term solution.
Meanwhile, the Queensland government had previously announced a $600,000 fund to deliver enhanced housing and homelessness services in impacted areas.
Primary producers receive helping hand
With an unprecedented amount of farmlands flooded, Deputy Premier Paul Toole is urging primary producers to come forward and access up to $15,000 immediately, with up to $75,000 available.
“Our whole government approach is driving this rapid response to ensure affected communities are able to rebuild their lives and livelihoods faster,” Mr Toole said.
In the 12 days since the first disaster declarations were made for this devastating flood event, around $1.5 billion of support has been committed to the recovery from the NSW government in partnership with the Commonwealth.
Close to 15,000 damage assessments on households, businesses and industry premises have been completed.
In addition to the financial response, on-the-ground support from NSW emergency services and the Australian Defence Force reached 8,000 active personnel across the state on Tuesday (15 March), who are ensuring supplies reach communities that are still cut off by floodwaters, as well as supporting communities with the huge clean-up operation.
[Related: Qld responds to housing crisis, amid flood disaster]
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