Recovery support for storm affected Far West communities

The Albanese and Minns Governments are supporting communities in Broken Hill and Central Darling Shire Local Government Areas (LGAs) as well as the Far West Unincorporated Area, following a severe storm that impacted properties across the region on Thursday 17 October. Through jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) support can be used by local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.

Assistance includes:

• Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.

• Support to ensure access to essential power for homes and continuation of essential services such as schools, public hospitals and Council operations during this critical period.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister said more than 10,000 homes were impacted by the storm with power outages stretching from Wilcannia to the Queensland border.

“The assistance being activated today will help councils clean up communities as quickly as possible, ensure public safety and reinstate critical assets,” Minister McAllister said.

“The support measures both levels of government are activating today will help the impacted councils with the immediate costs from this disaster and help them keep their communities safe.”

Minister Dib said constructing temporary towers to restore the transmission line was a priority for energy providers but could take several weeks. Energy providers Transgrid and Essential Energy are using backup generators to maintain power supply until the work is completed.

“I want to thank volunteers and emergency responders who have moved quickly to supply generators and satellite communications where they are most needed, as well as providing support for community members to drop in and charge devices,” Minister Dib said.

“We’ve activated an emergency response team across all emergency services to provide support for communities.”

For information relating to financial assistance please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au. Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.