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People impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred who require essential medicines, including diabetes, heart and asthma medicines, can access a limited supply without a prescription at pharmacies.

NSW Health has issued an Authority under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods legislation that enables pharmacists to supply prescription medicines to people without a prescription who are affected by the cyclone.

NSW Health is working with local hospitals, pharmacies and health professionals in the affected areas to ensure the community is supported and essential medicines are available to those who need them.

The temporary change is designed to assist people affected by the cyclone by ensuring they can continue to access essential medicines.    

While some community pharmacies may be closed in the affected areas, many pharmacies placed advanced orders to ensure they retain adequate stock.

NSW Health has also brought extra medicines into the affected region to assist the community.

Where able to, people are encouraged to phone ahead and try alternate pharmacies if their usual pharmacy is closed.

The full conditions of the supply of prescription medicines by a pharmacist without a prescription are listed in the Authority which is published online here.     

For more information speak with your local pharmacy, GP; call healthdirect on 1800 022 222; or visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Publications/authority-pharmacists-tc-alfred.pdf

Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“People who are impacted by the cyclone are strongly encouraged to pack their medications and prescriptions while preparing for its impact and if evacuating.

“But in unfolding events like this, they may be lost or suddenly become inaccessible.

“If you find yourself in this situation, if you can, please contact Healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or speak to a pharmacist, to seek advice specific to your circumstances.

“If your medication is considered essential, pharmacists will be able to provide you with a full pack without a prescription to ensure you don’t run out during this extreme weather event.”

President NSW Pharmacy Guild Mario Barone:

“Community pharmacies are ready to support patients across northern NSW.

“The continued dispensing authority means that you can get your medicines even if you don’t have a script and can’t get to your doctor.”

The Albanese and Minns Governments are extending disaster assistance to the Armidale, Glen Innes Severn and Tenterfield Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Northern NSW as Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s impacts move inland.

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 eligible low-income residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
• Grants for eligible low-income 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 Jenny McAllister said it’s a challenging time for communities in Northern NSW who are already experiencing the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.  

“We are extending the support available to assist more flood impacted residents in the immediate recovery phase,” Minister McAllister said. 

“Thank you to all the community members who have heeded the advice of the local authorities and all the personnel out there working to keep their communities safe.

“We are urging the community to know your local risk, listen to emergency services, have a plan. If it’s flooded, forget it.”

“The Australian Government continue to work closely with the NSW Government as we prepare and respond to this event.” 

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said unlocking joint assistance will help communities begin the clean-up, rebuilding and recovery process as quickly as possible. 

“Communities are still dealing with rain and flooding from the cyclone, and this assistance will help us quickly shift to recovery as soon as the weather clears,” Minister Dib said.

“We are rolling out support measures for communities we know are likely to be impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred and as impacts are known we will look at further measures to support the community.” 

“I would like to thank NSW State Emergency Service volunteers and emergency services who have been supporting the community across the state. The NSW Reconstruction Authority has also been on the ground in Northern NSW ready to begin recovery support and have appointed NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner as Recovery Coordinator.” 

“Communities have worked hard to prepare for this cyclone and we understand this has been difficult for Northern Rivers residents who experienced floods in 2022. We are committed to continuing to support this resilient community through these challenges.”

More information on disaster assistance can be found at NSW Government and Disaster Assist websites.

A $15 million Community Recovery Support Fund, jointly funded by the Albanese and Minns Governments, is now available to NSW councils and their communities following the impacts of the Cyclone Alfred weather event.

Activated councils will have up to $1 million in funding made available once impacts are known. This will provide proactive support for communities to undertake essential immediate clean up and restoration activities for important community assets such as pre-schools, senior citizen centres, libraries and community halls.
 
Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
 
The NSW Government is coordinating a multi-agency response to the cyclone, which has been forecast to significantly impact Northern NSW and Southern Queensland.
 
The currently weather modelling suggests that these 15 NSW Local Government Areas (LGAs) will sustain the most immediate impact of the cyclone,
 
The Commonwealth Government is working closely with both the New South Wales and Queensland Governments to ensure appropriate support is provided to impacted communities over the coming days.
 
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
 
“Northern NSW residents, and their neighbours to the north, are on high alert watching Tropical Cyclone Alfred approach.
 
“We are providing assistance now, but also have this future support on standby, ready to roll should recovery and cleanup work be needed in the immediate aftermath.
 
“Having this support ready to go means, if needed, essential work can begin and people’s lives can begin to return to normal as soon as possible.”
 
Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister:

“It’s a challenging time for communities in the Northern Rivers, who are experiencing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
 
“Having grown up in the Northern Rivers, I know these communities well.  I am acutely aware of how worrying this event will be for local people.  
 
“I’ve been incredibly grateful for the work of the local mayors, Councils and community leaders, supporting their communities.
 
“We are activating this assistance quickly to ensure councils are supported in their work. 
 
“We seek to be good partners to Premier Minns and his government, through the immediate event and into the recovery”.
 
Premier Chris Minns:

“This is a pre-emptive step to help local councils quickly respond to this disaster.

“Councils are helping their communities prepare for the onslaught, and this will help them in the aftermath.

“This is just one early part of the support for the regions that get impacted by this disaster.”
 
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib:
 
“The NSW Government with the support of the Commonwealth is continuing to roll out support for the Northern NSW communities facing the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
 
“This funding will be directed to councils in the local communities who need it most, with many of them still recovering after the devastating 2022 floods.

“The NSW Government is committed to providing ongoing support to the communities impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in the days and weeks ahead.”

Recovery services have begun setting up in Northern NSW ahead of community outreach as the NSW Government appoints a Recovery Coordinator in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The NSW State Emergency Service supported by other emergency services are continuing to deal with the impacts of the extreme weather and will be completing damage assessments as it becomes safe to enter flooded areas.

As the water recedes, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is getting ready to support communities and begin recovery operations as quickly as possible.

As a pre-emptive step to boost recovery efforts for impacted communities, the NSW Government has appointed NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner as Recovery Coordinator for the region following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Mr Tanner will retain his role as Richmond Police District Superintendent, allowing him to deploy the full resources of the NSW Police Force while effectively marshalling all other Government resources.

Mr Tanner played a critical role in the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, serving as the local emergency operations controller and assisting the coordination of recovery efforts across the region. In June 2024 Mr Tanner was awarded the Australian Police Medal for his role during the 2022 floods.

As the focus turns towards recovery, critical information about recovery support will be available at nsw.gov.au/cyclonealfredrecovery

Information will also be shared through local radio stations, social media and online, with posters and flyers to be distributed across impacted areas.

From early next week, community outreach will begin with RA and our partners checking in on communities in key locations. On Thursday, Recovery Assistance Points will open in Lismore, Tweed South, Ballina and Coffs Harbour.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“This is an anxious time for residents and communities across NSW, which is why we have taken the pre-emptive step and appointed Superintendent Tanner as Recovery Coordinator for Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, so that when the weather has passed, we can immediately move to recovery.

“We stand with everyone in the storm’s path and will continue to provide as much support as needed to help individuals and communities get back on their feet.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“While we are still assessing the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, we are preparing for the recovery phase so that every community and person impacted by this event receives support as soon as possible.

“We have taken what we have learnt from previous natural disasters to improve the way we prepare. Appointing Superintendent Scott Tanner to help lead the recovery means he can apply his experience from the 2022 floods to assist communities as they deal with the aftermath of this major weather event.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:

“While I’m sorry we’re in this position again, I welcome the announcement that Superintendent Scott Tanner will be helping lead the recovery post Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

“I know Mr Tanner extremely well, we worked very closely in the 2022 floods, and locally as he’s the Superintendent in my electorate, and he is the right person to work with community to help us recover as soon as possible.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:

“I want to reassure the community that the NSW Reconstruction Authority is on the ground in Northern NSW working alongside our response agencies to understand impacts and resolve issues as we prepare for recovery.

“There will be no daylight between response and recovery, but in the meantime, I encourage everyone to continue visiting the NSW SES website for the latest information about flooding. We are focused on ensuring recovery progresses quickly and seamlessly from response.

“I worked closely with Superintendent Tanner when I served as Recovery Coordinator myself after the 2022 floods and I can think of no one better placed to begin recovery in the region. Appointing Superintendent Tanner provides a dedicated focus on the ground to ensure recovery progresses quickly.”

Latest data from the Minns Labor Government’s Rental Taskforce has revealed solicited rent bidding via listing platforms has been virtually stamped out.

In the NSW Government’s first ever Bidding in the NSW Rental Market report, the impact of the Government’s strong rental reform agenda is showcased, revealing insights into rent bidding, underbidding, and pricing variations.

The analysis, conducted by NSW Fair Trading and the Department of Customer Service’s Data Analytics Centre, found the rent bidding ban is working on listing platforms and shows a rising trend of renters now securing rental properties for less than the advertised price.

Solicited rent bidding occurs when agents, landlords, or platforms invite or pressure prospective tenants to offer more than the advertised rent, increasing housing and cost of living pressure on renters in an already competitive market.

Before December 2022 non-fixed price listings made up 17 per cent of the market.

In a win for renters, the report found systemic law changes introduced by the Minns Labor Government in 2023, which included expanding a ban on solicited rent bidding from only real estate agents to landlords and rental platforms, have led to the widespread removal of illegal rental listing practices, including price ranges and ‘offers over’ terminology on major listing platforms.

This means more than 99 per cent of advertisements now comply with the rules.

The results linked rental bond data with CoreLogic rental listings and deployed advanced data-matching techniques, informing and validating the ongoing compliance work of the new $8.4 million Rental Taskforce within NSW Fair Trading.

Underbidding – where tenants pay less than the advertised rent – surged from seven per cent to 36 per cent of tenancies between March and August 2024, reflecting a broader market cooling, as listed rents exceeded what the market would bear.

NSW Fair Trading has come down hard on real estate agents caught doing the wrong thing – issuing 145 penalty infringement notices totalling more than $157,000 between May and December last year to those who breached their obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act 2010 (NSW) and associated laws.

Sydney property hotspots including the Randwick, Waverley, and Canada Bay LGA’s showed the highest rates of overbidding for a property, while Byron, Woollahra, and Ku-ring-gai demonstrated the highest rates of underbidding.

Historic reforms passed in 2024 are further transforming the rental market by banning no-grounds evictions, limiting rent increases to once per year, making it easier to have pets, as well as improving laws governing fee-free rent payment options, and prohibiting fees for background checks.

The Bidding in the NSW Rental Market reportalongside NSW Fair Trading’s Rent Check website provide important market information to support renters and landlords in the NSW rental market.

The Bidding in the NSW Rental Market report can be read on the Rent Bidding in NSW Insights Report webpage.

Information on the NSW Fair Trading Rent Check can be found on this webpage. 

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:

“This report shows how the Minns Labor Government’s rental reforms, coupled with targeted action by NSW Fair Trading, are working to better protect tenants and foster a more transparent and sustainable rental market.

“The Minns Labor Government understands that more people than ever are renting and that they are renting for longer.

“That’s why the Government is committed to supporting the rental market, so tenants see it as one that offers security, and quality, while providers view it as one they can invest in with certainty and viability.

“The suite of rental reforms that the Minns Labor Government is implementing will give renters greater stability and security when renting a home, while providing certainty for landlords and agents.”

NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones:

“This report highlights the NSW Government’s commitment to data-driven regulation and the importance of effective enforcement when responding to wilful non-compliance in the rental market.

“NSW Fair Trading’s regulatory measures have effectively eliminated solicited rent bidding through rental listings, with compliance rates now reaching above 99 percent.

“Importantly, our analysis reveals that broader rent bidding practices, while present during periods of market pressure, have not been a significant driver of rental price inflation.”

Core Logic’s Head of Research Eliza Owen:

“Our research indicates that transparent and fair rental practices contribute significantly to market stability, benefiting both tenants and property owners.

“As we continue to gather and analyse data, it’s clear that targeted reforms and effective enforcement are key to fostering a rental environment where all stakeholders can thrive, especially in the context of affordability barriers to home ownership.

“There are signs of demand cooling in the rental market, which has likely helped reduce the practice of rent bidding, but NSW Fair Trading’s regulatory measures are a positive step, protecting fairness and transparency in the event of future market upswings.”

Residents in Northern NSW are being warned they could be without electricity for multiple days, as Tropical Cyclone Alfred delivers hazardous winds and rain, damaging the electricity network.

As of 4pm today, more than 38,000 homes and businesses are without power in the Northern Rivers and Far North Coast, mostly due to damage caused by falling trees and branches. The worst hit areas are between Tweed Heads and Yamba.

Essential Energy, the electricity distributor for the region, is warning residents that due to severe weather, it is currently unsafe to access and repair damaged power infrastructure. However, they will resume repairs as soon as conditions allow.

This means households and businesses need to preparefor the possibility of extensive and extended power interruptions over the coming days.

What to do before a power outage:

• Keep battery-powered torches charged and easy-to-find.
• Ensure your car has petrol or if you have an EV, make sure it is charged.
• Have backup methods to safely prepare food and boil water, such as a camp stove or gas BBQ.
• Know how to turn off power to your home.
• Have manual overrides for garage doors and gates so you can enter and exit.
• If you rely on an electric pump for your household water supply, store enough water for your needs while the power is off.
• Have a list of emergency and important phone numbers, in case your mobile phone battery runs out.
• What to do during a power outage:
• Stay 8 metres away from damaged wires and fallen powerlines. Call Essential Energy on 13 20 80 to report the damage.
• Never enter flood waters, as damaged electricity infrastructure can cause electric shock.
• Limit mobile phone use. Save your battery for important calls and updates.
• Switch off appliances that can be damaged during power surges, including TVs, computers and Wi-Fi routers.
• Do not attempt to repair electrical issues yourself or try to use any external power generation sources indoors, such as an external or portable generator.
• Petrol or diesel-powered generators can produce carbon monoxide gas and must only be operated in a well-ventilated outdoor area away from open windows and vents.
• If you must run your vehicle to charge devices, do it outside with good ventilation.
• Follow the NSW Food Authority’s advice on food safety and try to limit the number of times you open the fridge and freezer.
• In a life-threatening situation, always call Triple Zero (000).

Energy retailers are supporting residents who rely on medical equipment. If you have registered your medical equipment, you should be contacted by Essential Energy or your energy retailer (the company that delivers your electricity bill).

The NSW Government is working with partners in the energy industry to coordinate preparation for the Tropical Cyclone and ensure all resources are ready to respond.

Essential Energy has moved additional crews, generators, fuel pods and mobile communication systems into the region. It has also established support arrangements with Ausgrid and Energy Queensland in case they are required. Endeavour Energy has also offered support if needed.

Ampol and BP are publishing on their websites the locations of service stations that will be open throughout the duration of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. These are mainly self-service stations and are intended mainly for use by emergency services. For further fuel station impacts and closures use the FuelCheck App.

NSW authorities are working with the Commonwealth to secure additional generator capacity.

More information about what to do before, during and after a storm is available online on the webpage What is a power outage and what to do.

Live updates on outages are available on the Essential Energy website.

Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe:

“Households and businesses need to prepare for the real possibility that they will be without power for an extended period of time.

“We know this is distressing. Energy companies are working to restore power as soon as it is safe to do so. However, dangerous conditions will likely prevent crews accessing and repairing damage to the network for some time.

“Energy and water do not mix, and pose a threat to residents and energy workers. It is crucial residents stay well away from fallen power lines and damaged electrical equipment.”

A $30,000 NSW Government grant will fund cancer screening and prevention education to improve cancer outcomes for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in the Illawarra.

The Multicultural Community Screening Education and Healthy Living Illawarra project will deliver community education sessions on bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening as well as smoking cessation to the local Arabic, Italian, Macedonian and Burmese (Karenni and Karen speaking) community. A wellbeing expo with light physical activities and walking groups will also be delivered as part of the project.

Multicultural communities face significant barriers accessing cancer screening services and care, often due to language barriers, poor health literacy, trauma, and cultural stigma and beliefs.

The Cancer Institute NSW Multicultural Community Grants are awarded regularly to help support local community groups and health services to roll out targeted initiatives that will support people with multilingual information to reduce their cancer risk, in a way that is aligned with their cultural beliefs.

The grants are one of the ways the NSW Government through the Cancer Institute NSW is supporting CALD communities to improve cancer outcomes. Other initiatives include targeted cancer prevention campaigns, multilingual resources to build health literacy, training of bilingual community educators to deliver cancer education and provision of social support for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and carers affected by cancer.

For more info visit the Cancer Screening and Prevention and Cancer Control (Multicultural) Grants webpage.

Health Minister, Ryan Park:

“In NSW, around 30 per cent of people were born overseas, with one in four people speaking a language other than English at home – higher than any other state or territory.

“Unfortunately, these communities have some of the lowest participation rates in cancer screening and can experience inequitable access to health care.”

Member for Wollongong, Paul Scully:

“Language should not be a barrier to understanding your cancer risks or getting the best possible cancer care if you need it and this funding will help to change that.

“I have heard from and worked with too many families who had trouble negotiating the health system or understanding their health needs because of language barriers and this will help to break those barriers down.

“By supporting community-led education and wellbeing initiatives, we are supporting people from diverse backgrounds to take charge of their health and improve cancer outcomes across the Illawarra Shoalhaven.”

Chief Cancer Officer and Chief Executive Cancer Institute NSW, Professor Tracey O’Brien AM:

“Breaking down barriers and supporting multicultural communities can’t be achieved in isolation and we are so grateful to be working together with health services and community organisations to ensure all people across NSW, regardless of who they are or where they come from, have access to timely and culturally appropriate cancer care and support.” 

Chief Executive Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, Margot Mains:

“These projects’ educational sessions will focus on prevention, screening and early detection for bowel, breast and cervical cancer, including demonstrations on self-testing kits and providing translated information. There will also be sessions to support and encourage healthy lifestyles that focus on smoking cessation, physical activity and healthy eating.”