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As severe weather continues to impact the NSW Mid-North Coast, communities are being urged to remain on high alert.

Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue throughout today, and flash flooding is a risk in the Mid-North Coast region and adjacent Northern Tablelands and the Hunter, with a particular focus between Kempsey and Dorrigo.  

While heavy rainfall continues, the impacts remain wide-reaching, with communities being strongly advised to evacuate when asked to do so by the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES).

To stay up to date with the latest warnings and advice, download the Hazards Near Me app. The number of people using the Hazards Near Me app has quadrupled in the past week from around 26,000 to more than 100,000 active users.

More than 2,500 personnel, 500 boats and vehicles and a fleet of helicopters have been deployed to support ongoing rescue efforts.

The NSW SES has responded to around 4,000 incidents since the severe weather began.

Rescues are continuing with around 300 people already brought to safety over the past 24 hours including dozens of overnight rescues.

Conditions remain challenging with fast flowing rivers, continuous rainfall and flooded roads making it difficult for emergency services to safely access some isolated areas. 

While authorities continue to work around the clock, emergency service crews can never guarantee an immediate rescue of those who remain in impacted areas.

In total, more than 500 flood rescues have been completed with the support of specialist flood and in water crews from the NSW SES, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police, Marine Rescue NSW and VRA Rescue NSW. 

Personnel from Ambulance NSW, the NSW Rural Fire Service and Surf Life Saving NSW are also assisting in the natural disaster response, along with the Australian Defence Force.

14 evacuation centres remain open across the region where hundreds of people have taken emergency shelter overnight.

The community is being urged to heed the advice of emergency services and always avoid driving through floodwaters.

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib has signed a protection order for volunteers involved in responding to this weather event ensuring their employment will not be affected while they assist in the response. 

As this situation continues to unfold, the ongoing support of volunteers will be crucial over the coming days and weeks.

If you are an individual or part of a group who is ready and willing to help, consider partnering with the NSW SES, local authorities and endorsed community groups.

Your support could be invaluable for urgent tasks such as sandbagging, sharing information, and participating in clean-up activities.

For evacuation centre locations and more information, visit the NSW SES website. 

Visit the Live Traffic NSW website for the latest road closures and traffic conditions. 

If you need assistance during floods and storms, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000).

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“We are sending in all our available emergency service resources to support the impacted region. Please check the NSW SES website and Hazards Near Me app and follow public safety advice.

“I want to thank all the amazing volunteers who are currently supporting flood-affected communities across the Mid-North Coast.

“I’ve signed a protection order for volunteers from the NSW SES and other emergency service organisations, providing employment protection while they’re undertaking vital assistance work supporting flood impacted communities.

“I encourage people to download the Hazards Near Me App which includes the latest warnings and information for impacted communities.”

With an increase in winter illnesses expected over the coming months, people across NSW are being reminded free and instant health advice and treatment is available 24/7 by calling Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

A new campaign, launched by NSW Health this week, is encouraging all NSW residents to save 1800 022 222 in their phone, to be ready for when illness strikes over winter.

An increasing number of people are turning to the service to get the advice and reassurance they need to recover quickly.

Last winter, nearly 20,000 people across NSW called Healthdirect seeking care for their cold and flu symptoms, almost double the number of people from 2023.

Of these, four in five people avoided an unnecessary trip to the emergency department, instead managing their symptoms at home with virtual care or through an appointment with a GP or at a local urgent care service.

When people call Healthdirect, a registered nurse will ask some questions about their health. Depending on their condition, the nurse will recommend the right healthcare option. This may include a nearby doctor, pharmacist or urgent care service, connecting them with specialist virtual care, or calling an ambulance if it is life-threatening.

If you need support in your language, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask to be connected to healthdirect.

If you or someone you are with is experiencing a medical emergency, please continue to call Triple Zero (000) immediately. For example, you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, sudden collapse or are seriously injured.

The Minns Labor Government has invested half a billion dollars into ED relief, which includes:

• $189 million in tax relief to incentivise GPs to maintain bulk-billing rates, meaning people with non-life-threatening conditions don’t need to present to the ED;
• $171.4 million to expand statewide virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED;
• $100 million to continue urgent care services for a further two years to June 2027 providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients;
• $70 million to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours;
• $15.1 million for an Ambulance Matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times;
• $31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed
• $53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identified patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“If you or someone you care about needs health advice, treatment or care Healthdirect should be your first call. 

“Whether it’s a tumble in the playground or a bad bug keeping you up through the night – free, instant health advice is only a phone call away.

“Have the number handy for those times when you need professional and reassuring health advice.

“Don’t wait, save the Healthdirect number 1800 022 222 today and share the number with those you love. This simple call has saved thousands of people a needless trip to the ED and has ensured people can access the right care at the right time – and fast.”

The Minns Labor Government, the University of Sydney and the Sydney Local Health District will today break ground on the $780 million Sydney Biomedical Accelerator, a world class health education and research complex that will house more than 1200 researchers and clinician scientists on its 36,000 square metre site, spanning the University and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Due to open in 2028, the giant facility will be a major centre for biomedical innovation and research – bringing the disciplines of biology and medicine together to fast-track scientific discovery into real life health outcomes for patients and strengthen Australia’s global leadership in biomedicine.

Following a competitive tender process Australian-owned Richard Crookes Constructions has been selected as construction partner to build the complex, which includes two new biomedical research buildings over eight levels, and connecting bridges between the university and RPA.

An independent business with a strong track record in health construction, Richard Crookes’ expertise will be key to bringing the project’s vision to life and will employ more than 3,000 workers during construction.

Connecting the hospital and university is crucial for the new facility to enable a seamless exchange of knowledge from lab to bedside, such as by conducting targeted clinical trials.

The facility will include:

• Laboratory and collaboration spaces for researchers, clinicians, and industry, including an innovation and start-up hub.
• A high-tech biobank – a storage facility for tissue samples, cells, blood and DNA used for research.
• High-performing computing.
• Precision medicine.
• State-of-the-art surgery and anatomy research and teaching.
• Core research facilities for microscopy, preclinical imaging, drug discovery, protein production and purification.
• Clinical trials and patient-facing clinical spaces.

The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator will also help attract and retain world class researchers, provide anatomy training facilities for our future health workforce, and create career opportunities for those wanting to break into the field of medical and scientific research.

The NSW Health Research and Innovation Strategy was released this month. The Strategy seeks to foster a coordinated collaborative research environment across NSW.

Health Minister, Ryan Park:

“This new facility is set to change the game when it comes to research into diagnostics and treatments in Australia, and I am really proud that we have it here in New South Wales.

“Benchmarked against the world’s leading biomedical facilities, the Accelerator is set to change to landscape of medical research, and I hope it becomes a major drawcard for world class health researchers.  

“Cutting-edge laboratories will empower researchers to accelerate the discovery of cures and treatments for a wide range of diseases, driving medical breakthroughs with greater speed and precision.”

Minister for Medical Research, David Harris:

“The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator is more than just a new building, it’s a launchpad for the next generation of medical breakthroughs. 

“We know that for NSW to be a world leader in medical research we need to continue to foster collaboration across government, health, industry and academia. 

“By bringing together scientists, clinicians and innovators under one roof, we’re laying the foundation for discoveries that will shape the future of healthcare in this country and across the globe.”

Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive, Deb Willcox AM:

“The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator represents a transformative leap in our health and medical research landscape.

“By bringing together class-leading laboratories, clinicians and academics from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney, we can accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to real‑world patient outcomes, cementing our position as a global leader in biomedical innovation.”

University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Mark Scott AO: 

“The Sydney Biomedical Accelerator is a bold step forward in Australia’s research and development landscape.

“What makes it unique is its integration of world-class research with innovation, commercial translation, and real-world clinical outcomes. It will be a place for discovery – but also one where ideas transform into impact, accelerating solutions from the lab bench to the bedside and beyond.”

The Minns Labor Government has renewed its commitment to protect workers from dust diseases with its new $2.5 million state-of-the -art Lung Health Mobile Clinic which is providing lung health checks to thousands of people across New South Wales.

The new lung bus has arrived in Nowra to provide free lung screening checks. These lung health checks can be lifesaving by ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and mesothelioma.

The lung bus program provides free lung screening checks to more than 5,000 workers annually in regional NSW.

The icare Lung Bus is travelling the length and breadth of the state, including visits to Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree, Tuncurry, Spears Point, Tweed Heads, Gosford, Nowra, Shellharbour, Port Kembla, Bathurst, Dubbo, Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga, Griffith and Tamworth.

The new mobile clinic features several innovations including:

• Digital chest X-ray technology, providing precise and reliable first instance imaging.
• Enhanced spirometry (lung function) testing equipment to evaluate breathing capacity and respiratory performance.
• Digital monitoring systems to streamline diagnostics and care.
• A backup power supply to ensure uninterrupted operation in remote locations.
• Greater accessibility and comfort, with larger clinical space designed to support both staff and clients.

The brand-new Lung Bus continues the legacy of the state’s original mobile service which served the community for nearly 16 years.

That Bus travelled more than 700,000km (more than 17 times around the world), screening more than 53,000 people, and visiting over 300 destinations across NSW.

This is one of many measures to protect workers from dust diseases, including those caused by silica and asbestos.

The Minns Labor Government has established a new Expert Taskforce to help address silica related health risks in tunnelling projects, following revelations of rising silicosis cases in tunnelling leading up to 2023 and led the campaign for the national ban on engineered stone which started last year.

The NSW Government is funding a team of dedicated silica safety inspectors to ensure businesses are complying with its strengthened laws.

The Lung Health Mobile Clinic will be in Nowra on Wednesday 21 May and Thursday 22 May.

The new Lung Bus will next travel to the following destinations:

Wollongong: 26-30 May, Orange: 13 June, Dubbo: 3-4 July, Broken Hill: 21-23 July,

Wagga Wagga: 4-5 August, Griffith: 25-26 August, Newcastle: 29-30 September,

Tamworth: 27-28 October, Newcastle: 1-5 December, Gosford: 17-19 December

Whilst lung bus bookings are at capacity, for more information on lung health checks or to arrange a screening, visit:

https://www.icare.nsw.gov.au/employers/employer-obligations/lung-screening-service

Workers can also arrange a free lung screening at icare’s Sydney CBD clinic, or with local providers regionally when the lung bus is not in that part of the state. To book a free lung health check, contact icare on 1800 550 027.

Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis said:

“The new Mobile Clinic underscores the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to removing barriers like cost and location, ensuring workers across NSW have access to the critical support and care they need to safeguard their health.

“Along with enforcement of the recent ban on engineered stone, the new Lung Bus demonstrates our commitment to improve outcomes for workers exposed to hazardous dust across NSW.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said:

“I welcome the $2.5 million investment into the new icare Lung Bus which will provide thousands of health checks for people living in regional NSW.

“Our regional communities remain front and centre when it comes to ensuring early detection and treatment of dust diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, and mesothelioma.”

Icare Group Executive of General Insurance and Care, Britt Coombe said:

“A lung health check could save your life.

“Early detection is critical to effective treatment, and we’re here to make sure every worker, no matter where they live, has access to world-class care.”

Member for South Coast Liza Butler said:

“The Lung Bus will be in Nowra this May, and I strongly encourage as many people as possible to take advantage of this life-saving service.

“I know firsthand how costly lung tests can be—my husband requires them for his job, and they can cost hundreds of dollars each time. That’s why I’m so pleased to see the Minns Labor Government delivering this essential service free of charge to our community.

“This is another example of our government’s philosophy of putting people first.”

The Albanese and Minns Governments have activated disaster assistance to communities in 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the Hunter and Mid North Coast following severe weather, including heavy rainfall.

The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies to the LGAs of: Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter.

Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). 

Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include:

• Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
• Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
• Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
• 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 and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
• Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the Albanese Government is working closely with the Minns Government to ensure support is available for Hunter and Mid North Coast communities impacted by flooding. 

“These floods and severe weather are having a huge impact on communities across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, which is why we’re working with the Minns Government to activate this support,” Minister McBain said.

“From emergency accommodation, to support for small businesses and councils to repair damages – we’re ensuring support is available during this event and as communities turn their focus to recovery.

“These conditions are expected to continue into the week, so it’s really important that people are aware of the flood risk in their area by keeping up to date with the warnings and that they listen to the advice of emergency services.”

NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said the NSW Government is activating a range of basic support to assist flood impacted communities and councils 

“We know this is a challenging time for people in many parts of NSW, and we are rolling out these support measures so communities can begin the clean-up and recovery process as soon as possible,” Minister Saffin said.

“We are still in the response phase but the NSW Reconstruction Authority is working closely with the State Emergency Service and partner agencies to ensure a smooth transition to recovery and the delivery of targeted support for our affected communities.

“The Government and the Reconstruction Authority will continue to work closely with local councils and communities to ensure they can get essential support and activate further assistance if it is required.”

More information on disaster assistance can be found at

https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery and www.disasterassist.gov.au