Category: NSW News

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.
 
In addition to the financial response, on-the-ground support from NSW emergency services and the Australian Defence Force today reached 8,000 active personnel across the state, who are ensuring supplies reach communities that are still cut off by floodwaters, as well as supporting communities with the huge clean-up operation.
 
The Commonwealth and NSW Governments have also started the process of transitioning people from evacuation centres, hotels and motels, into longer-term accommodation as part of a $285 million Temporary Housing Support Package.
 
Communities impacted by the floods will have access to 16 weeks’ rental support available soon, temporary housing pods, temporary housing in recreation camps in the Northern Rivers, plus 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 flood waters now receding, the NSW Government is putting every available resource in to 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 and we will be with communities every step of the way,” 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. These crews have shifted on average over the past four days, the same amount of waste that was shifted in four weeks post the February/March 2021 floods in Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Nambucca.
 
“We are rolling out our standard recovery supports as quickly as possible, as well as addressing specific needs as they arise. This is why we didn’t wait and set up our housing package ahead of time so we can assist the 2,000 people we are helping with accommodation transition into more medium-term accommodation.
 
“We’ve also announced $25 million in mental health support today, topping up numerous mental health programs to reach more people and support them through what for many has been a deeply traumatic event.”
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said Primary Producer grants had been activated faster than ever before, with farmers able to access grants of up to $15,000 immediately, with grants of up to $75,000 available.
 
“Our whole of Government approach is driving this rapid response to ensure affected communities are able to rebuild their lives and livelihoods, faster,” Mr Toole said.
 
“We’ve already had more than 400 applications for our primary producer grants, and I would urge others to apply. We’ve also helped farmers by delivering 1.9 tonnes of fodder.” 
 
Service NSW is taking registrations from those who expect they might need housing and has helped 30,000 people so far with everything from grants to replacing IDs with the support line open until 10pm.
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said thousands of emergency services personnel have kick-started the clean-up by making roads accessible, helping with the washout of properties, and removing bulk waste.
 
“SES teams are undertaking damage assessments on households, businesses and industry premises, with close to 15,000 completed so far,” Ms Cooke said.
 
“It’s vital people know what support is available to them and I would urge everyone to visit the nearest recovery centre so then can the help they need.”
 
Resilience NSW currently has nine recovery centres open and continues to open up recovery centres in areas where emergency evacuation orders have been lifted.
 
For more information, please see nsw.gov.au/floods

A dedicated Recovery Centre will open its doors in South Windsor for the first time today, providing face-to-face support for locals affected by the current flood event.
 
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the Recovery Centre would assist communities transition from response into clean-up and recovery.
 
“A range of NSW Government agencies, community organisations and welfare bodies will work from the Recovery Centre to assist anyone who has been impacted by the record-breaking flooding,” Mr Ayres said.
 
“Whether it be receiving clean-up help, replacing lost documents or requesting short-term accommodation, I encourage everyone across the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley to take advantage of this assistance.”
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Recovery Centre is open seven days a week and will support individuals, families, farmers and business owners to find the various forms of practical support available.
 
“We will work with local communities and councils to progressively build on the services offered at the Resilience NSW operated Recovery Centres, and their doors will stay open for as long as the community needs,” Ms Cooke said.
 
Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston said the flooding experienced in Windsor and the surrounding towns was over one metre higher than the March 2021 flood event.
 
“We have a big recovery effort ahead of us and it’s fantastic to have a mass mobilisation of resources including personnel from the Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Public Works Advisory, Resilience NSW, NSW Police Force and Australian Defence Force to help with the damage assessments and clean-up,” Ms Preston said.
 
Recovery Centres are currently operating at:

• Ballina: Ballina Surf Club, Lighthouse Beach Parade, East Ballina;
• Casino: Casino Community and Cultural Centre, 35 Walker Street, Casino;
• Grafton: Old St George Bank, 32 Prince Street, Grafton;
• Kyogle: Kyogle Memorial Institute, 131 Summerland Way, Kyogle;
• Lismore: V Block, Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore;
• Mullumbimby: 55 Dalley Street, Mullumbimby;
• Murwillumbah: Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium, 10-14 Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah; and
• South Windsor: South Windsor Family Centre, 6 Greenhills Way, South Windsor.

 
Resilience NSW will establish a Recovery Centre in Wisemans Ferry shortly.
 
For those wanting to be assisted remotely, Service NSW is operating as an online one-stop shop, with Customer Care specialists also available on the phone via 13 77 88.

A woman has been charged after allegedly dangerous and high-range drink driving with an unrestrained child in the car in the Illawarra overnight.

Police received multiple calls about 5.40pm yesterday (Friday 11 March 2022) in relation to a blue Holden Trax swerving across the road and mounting gutters while driving north on Shellharbour Road, Warilla. 

Police commenced inquiries to locate the vehicle. About 7.10pm, officers attached to Lake Illawarra Highway Patrol found the Holden on Northcliffe Drive, Warrawong. 

When the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed, police commenced a pursuit. The low-speed pursuit continued for about 6km before the driver stopped near the intersection of Windang Road and Boronia Avenue, Windang.

A five-year-old girl was found unrestrained in the front-passenger seat, physically unharmed but extremely distressed. 

A 46-year-old woman was arrested and taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where she returned an alleged breath analysis reading of 0.263.

Her driver’s licence was immediately suspended and her vehicle was confiscated for three months, while a child-at-risk notification has been completed.

The woman has been charged with police pursuit – not stop – drive dangerously, high-range PAC, drive with unrestrained child passenger, and not stop when directed. 

She was refused bail and is due to appear in the Wollongong Bail Court today (Saturday 12 March 2022).

The girl is being cared for by family members.

A new $285 million Temporary Housing Support Package will provide accommodation support to flood victims who have lost their homes to ensure people can access more immediate and medium term accommodation support.

The housing support package will have the capacity to assist around 25,000 households and will be focused on allowing people to move out of their emergency accommodation and find a more permanent place to call home. They will also have access to up to 16 weeks rental support, by the end of March.

The package will also fund on-site pods in rural areas to allow people to stay on their properties while they rebuild, and motorhomes and cabin accommodation to ensure there is flexible accommodation to meet peoples’ varying needs.
The housing package is part of the Commonwealth and NSW Governments’ latest assistance package, which is providing more than $551.7 million for flood-affected communities, including support to small businesses, primary producers, councils, individuals, and families hard hit by the devastating floods.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said with thousands of people displaced and many homes effectively uninhabitable, getting people out of evacuation centers and hotels and into more stable accommodation is key to helping people start their long term recovery.

“This housing support package will help put a roof over the heads of the thousands of people who have lost their homes to help them get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Rebuilding won’t be a quick process and that is why we are using a flexible approach to provide people with the help they need now and into the future so communities can rebuild the homes and businesses as quickly as possible.”

Since 22 February, 45 LGAs have been declared as disaster areas and are eligible for support through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the accommodation support was crucial to helping flood victims begin the long road to recovery.

“This is an incredibly distressing time for many and providing additional accommodation options for those who have lost everything will help to ease some of the burden,” Mr Toole said.

“We are also providing the ability for people to stay on their properties, if possible, so they are in more familiar surroundings while they take time to consider their options.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said the NSW response would continue to be tailored to community needs as the financial costs of the floods are assessed.

“As the situation on the ground continues to evolve, so does our response. We are working night and day to get assistance where it’s needed most,” Mr Kean said.

“This is why we are extending our critical small business and primary producer grants, as well as funding solutions to the temporary housing problem faced by so many, especially in the Northern Rivers.”

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said Service NSW was working quickly to establish the new grant package online, with extended trading hours getting help to people faster.

“Service NSW will assist DCJ in ensuring this next round of assistance gets to those who need it the most and continue to be the place where people can go to get the support and advice they need to plan for the next stage of this long recovery process,” Mr Dominello said.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the NSW Government will continue to provide support to individuals, families, farmers and business owners.

“As flood waters recede, we are setting up Recovery Centres as one-stop shops for people to access clean-up services, financial assistance, insurance and legal support, business support and mental health services,” Ms Cooke said.

“The destruction caused by the floodwaters will take weeks and months to clean up, and we will continue to stand side-by-side with our flood-affected communities in the Northern Rivers region.”

The $551.7 million package includes:

• $285 million Temporary Housing Support package that includes;
  • $248 million rental support scheme, providing 16 weeks rental support, which will be accessible by the end of March;
  • $20 million to extend the temporary housing program to allow people to stay on their land in a temporary ‘pod’ dwelling while rebuilding;
  • $10 million to supply temporary accommodation through mobile motor homes, with the first 20 to be delivered by March 13;
  • $4.5 million to support the Housing Flood Recovery Service to manage long term housing needs and recovery;
  • $2.5 million to provide temporary housing through the hiring of recreation camps in the Northern Rivers. Locations include Camp Koinonia, Lake Ainsworth Sport & Recreation Centre and Camp Drew with capacity for up to 270 people and on-site facilities for cooking and hygiene, and;
  • $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.
• $90 million to assist with the clean-up and removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste for the additional 28 disaster declared LGAs enabling them to work with Resilience NSW and NSW Government agencies to coordinate clean-up activities in their communities;
• $75,000 primary producer grants extended to all disaster declared LGAs;
• $50,000 small business and not-for-profit grants extended to all disaster declared LGAs;
• $1 million grants to additional 28 impacted councils to assist with their immediate social, built, economic and environmental needs.

 A full list of currently open Recovery Centres is available at: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery-centres-and-hubs.

Please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88, visit nsw.gov.au/floods or speak to evacuation centre staff.

Dedicated community Recovery Centres are now operating in Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Lismore, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah to provide face-to-face support for locals affected by the unprecedented flood event.
 
Premier Dominic Perrottet said Resilience NSW staff at each Recovery Centre would help flood victims navigate through the tough recovery process following unprecedented floods.
 
“NSW Government agencies plus a range of community organisations and welfare bodies will work from these Recovery Centres to assist individuals, businesses, farmers and landholders dealing with the fallout from the record-breaking storms and flooding,” Mr Perrottet said.
 
“We have seen communities devastated by the floods and these recovery centres in Northern NSW are vital to supporting locals.”
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Recovery Centres would allow impacted locals to get the help they need to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
 
“It’s difficult to know where to even begin after losing a home or a business, and these Centres will provide on-the-ground practical advice for things like how to get a roof over your head or replace lost documents, how to get clean-up assistance or financial and wellbeing support,” Mr Toole said.
 
“These floods have been tough enough for too many, and these one-stop shops will hopefully make it that little bit easier to get support right now.”
 
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the Recovery Centres are staffed by expert personnel who can guide individuals and families to the various forms of support available.
 
“I urge everyone in our flood-affected communities to register for the clean-up services, financial assistance, insurance and legal support, business support and mental health services already being offered as part of our multi-agency response,” Ms Cooke said.
 
Additional Recovery Centres will be established across the State as communities begin to transition from response into the clean-up and recovery processes.
 
For those wanting to be assisted remotely, Service NSW is operating as an online one-stop-shop, with Customer Care specialists also available on the phone via 13 77 88.

More than one million kilograms of fodder has made its way to flood-affected farms in the Northern Rivers to help impacted primary producers feed their livestock.
 
Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area hotline (1800 814 647) has received more than 800 calls from farmers requesting emergency fodder, aerial surveillance and veterinary assistance for flood-affected livestock in less than a week.
 
“Many farmers hit by these record floods have not only lost their homes, but also their livelihoods – and we’re throwing every resource at helping them get back on their feet as quickly as possible,” Mr Toole said.
 
“Primary producers across the Northern Rivers face a long road to recovery, and this fodder – currently being sourced from the NSW Northern Tablelands and North West regions – will make a real difference on the ground right now.
 
“Already, more than one million kilograms of fodder has touched down in places like Lismore, Casino and Grafton, including about 135,000 kilograms of that delivered by air to places with limited access.”
 
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government has also made $15,000 available immediately for impacted farmers through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
 
“The full extent of the damage from these floods is yet to be revealed, with communities still underwater and livestock and crop inspections still to be conducted,” Mr Saunders said.
 
“That’s why I urge landholders to register with the hotline so we know where support and assistance is required, without them risking their safety.”
 
Emergency fodder for flood-affected livestock is also available at the following North Coast sites:
 

• Casino – Primex site on Springrove Rd
• Alstonville – McGregor Gourlay, 28 Kays Lane
• Grafton – McGregor Gourlay, 42 Hyde St, South Grafton
• Grafton – Norco Rural, 19-21 Queen St
• Kyogle – Harley 7 Co Agricentre, 142 Summerland Way

 
As floodwaters recede and transport routes open up, additional emergency fodder distribution points will be established.
 
Farmers and community members are also urged to report stranded, lost, injured or deceased livestock to the hotline so these animals can be assessed, attended to, or removed.    
 
The 1800 814 647 hotline is jointly run by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Local Land Services (LLS) and continues to receive a large volume of calls. A dedicated email has also been created for the hotline with land holders now able to lodge requests by emailing aasfa@emergency.dpi.nsw.gov.au

A police officer has been charged following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault last year.

On Friday 17 December 2021, officers attached to the Professional Standards Command commenced an investigation into reports of an alleged sexual assault in Sydney’s CBD.

Following inquiries, a 30-year-old male constable – attached to a command in the Central Metropolitan Region – was arrested at a Greystanes address today (Wednesday 9 March 2022).

He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with sexual intercourse without consent.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear before Fairfield Local Court on Monday 4 April 2022.

His employment status remains under review.

Small businesses doing it tough due to COVID-19 are set to benefit from further NSW Government support following a decision to extend mediation protections under the commercial leasing regulation until 30 June 2022.
 
Treasurer Matt Kean said the challenges facing small business have been significant which is why we are moving to extend mediation protections to support tenants and landlords to work together to negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes.
 
“Throughout COVID-19 we have made it our mission to listen to the small business community and understand what they need to keep the lights on so they can continue to provide jobs and support to our economy,” Mr Kean said.
 
“The small business community is the backbone of our economy so anything we can reasonably do to support their operation through the challenges, we will do.

“We appreciate and acknowledge the constructive approach of commercial property owners in working together with their tenants in these very challenging circumstances.”
 
Under the extension, from 14 March to 30 June 2022, landlords will be prevented from taking certain actions including evicting and locking out, unless they have attempted mediation with tenants that:

• Had a turnover of less than $5 million in 2020-21; and
• Received at any point in time the 2022 Small Business Support Grant, 2021 Micro-business Grant, 2021 Business Grant, or the 2021 JobSaver payment.

 
Minister for Small Business Eleni Petinos said extending mediation provisions until 30 June 2022 would provide practical benefit to both tenants and landlords.
 
“Small businesses have experienced enormous challenges over the past two years,” Ms Petinos said.

“Extending mediation protections under the commercial leasing regulation is a sensible move that will help keep businesses open for trade.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet has activated employment protections for volunteers to ensure they cannot be unjustly fired from their jobs while volunteering in the flood emergency.

The Premier said the provisions mean an emergency volunteer cannot be fired or have their position changed for a work absence that is related to their volunteer work.

“The volunteer response in this flood emergency has been nothing short of amazing – everyone who has put their own lives on hold to help others during these floods has been a true hero,” Mr Perrottet said.

“I think the heartfelt thanks and gratitude around the state for these volunteers would suggest that very few employers would take any negative action against their employees who are volunteering.

“I hope this employment provision can give some comfort and security to volunteers who now know that their regular jobs are safe.”
The employment protection order was made by the Premier under the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 and will remain in force for at least the next 14 days.

The order means that employers found to have taken negative action against a volunteer can be fined and the court can direct employers to reinstate workers who have been dismissed.

Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Police Paul Toole said  volunteers were the backbone of regional communities, and this support was crucial to allow them to continue making a big difference on the ground at a time it’s needed most.

“Many of the volunteers across the North Coast have been directly hit by the floods themselves – with some even losing their own homes – but they continue to work around the clock to help communities get back on their feet,” Mr Toole said.

“This will safeguard their jobs and provide certainty that putting up their hands to help others now won’t impact their employment down the track. This is about helping them to  help others.”

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said volunteers from a number of different emergency services agencies are continuing to support our community, and it is important we continue to support them.

“Please know we have your back. You have all done an incredible job, working long days to help our State through this crisis. As your Minister, I back you in all the way and our government does as well,” Ms Cooke said.

The order covers volunteer emergency workers from agencies such as the NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association Inc and Marine Rescue NSW.