A multiagency Strike Force has mobilised with equipment and crews heading out to commence the clean-up following extreme floods across the State.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the scale of rainfall over the past week and subsequent flooding requires dedicated recovery efforts.
“Our emergency services personnel and volunteers have been outstanding in dealing with the wild weather and the floods, but the scale of rainfall has been enormous and the recovery process will be challenging,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our focus is to make sure affected residents are safe and get back on their feet as soon as possible and the Deputy Premier, backed by Resilience NSW, will be the Minister responsible for the disaster recovery, as he was following the 2019/20 bushfires.”
Mr Barilaro said the Recovery Strike Force is comprised of personnel from the Australian Defence Force, NSW Rural Fire Service and Fire & Rescue NSW, with clean-up efforts beginning yesterday on the Mid North Coast following the all clear from the SES.
“Our priority right now is to ensure roads are accessible, places are safe for people to return, and to assist with washout and clean-up by removing bulk waste,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The 2019/20 bushfires and the clean-up and recovery efforts that followed taught us a great deal, and having worked on bushfire recovery for the past 15 months I will take that experience and those lessons with me to steer recovery following these extreme floods.
“With large parts of NSW impacted by flooding on a scale not seen for decades, our focus remains on protecting life and property,” Mr Elliott said.
“I want to commend our emergency services for their tireless work in these extremely challenging circumstances, and reassure communities that we will continue doing everything in our power to protect them as this event unfolds.”
Service NSW is working in partnership with Resilience NSW and other state agencies, local government and the Australian Government to provide impacted people with information on and access to:
- Accommodation advice;
- Relevant charitable services;
- Mental health and wellbeing services;
- Support for businesses;
- Clean-up services;
- Financial assistance and
- Insurance and legal support.
The one-stop shop, administered by Service NSW, was created as a response to the unprecedented 2019/20 bushfire season, and has also been utilised for COVID-19.
To connect with a Customer Care specialist, call Service NSW between 7am and 7pm on 13 77 88. The Contact Centre hours have been extended to include weekends while communities recover. Information about the Customer Care service is also available in Service NSW Centres.