Disaster assistance is now available in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Queanbeyan-Palerang Local Government Areas (LGAs) following impacts of flooding from 25th December 2023.

The assistance measures are being provided by the Albanese and Minns Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Support includes:

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

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the heavy rain and subsequent flooding affected the Christmas plans of many residents of South-East NSW.

“The rainfall was intense and I want to thank those who put their own Christmas plans on hold to start the clean-up efforts,” Minister Watt said.

“This assistance will ensure Councils, businesses and residents have access to the funds they need to clean up and undertake important repairs, so the region can bounce back as quickly as possible.

“The Albanese Government is committed to working with the Minns Government throughout the recovery process.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said flood impacted Local Government Areas will be supported in their clean-up and recovery.

“The South-East took an unwelcome hit at Christmas, but the good news is that having now completed their assessments, local government can use Disaster Recovery funding to clean up and get much needed roads and bridges back in working order,” Minister Dib said.

“It was a difficult time for everyone in the region who know only too well the impact of natural disasters and we want to reassure them we will continue to help.”

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit nsw.gov.au.

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit raa.nsw.gov.au.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website.

The NSW Government has confirmed Goulburn Correctional Centre will continue to play a critical role in the NSW prison system well into the future.

While visiting the centre today Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong was briefed on operational changes to the way prison beds are being used at the facility.

The Minister also had an opportunity to see work being done this year on a new 20 bed segregation unit.

While the inmate population is still low following the pandemic, CSNSW is organising operations to house inmates in the most modern facilities available.

Goulburn will continue to operate as a mixed security facility.

There are no job losses associated with these changes and staff are able to continue working at their current complex.

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“This facility has been the heart and soul of the region for more than a century, and that isn’t changing.

“The entire community in Goulburn is right to be proud of the contribution this facility makes to keeping people in NSW safe.

“When I visited last year, I saw firsthand the incredibly tough job staff are doing. It isn’t made any easier when they’re working from outdated facilities built in the 1880s.

“Goulburn continues to house some of the state’s toughest inmates in the supermax facility as well as lower security inmates in other sections of the jail.

“We’ll engage closely with the local community and staff as we continue to build a better justice system, here in Goulburn and across the state.”

The NSW Opposition joined fed-up Hawkesbury residents today to call on Chris Minns and Transport Minister Jo Haylen to urgently intervene in the rolling Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) ferry strikes that have left the community stranded.
 
The MUA has cancelled Monday services with minimal notice, with a 24-hour strike that will affect thousands of people trying to get to work, school and medical appointments.
 
The cancellation of ferry services at Wisemans Ferry, Webbs Creek and Sackville will force people to drive up to an extra five hours on remote roads.
 
Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads Natalie Ward said the Minns Labor Government needed to put the community needs first.
 
“The Hawkesbury ferry routes are an essential service, with the local community having no alternative options when union industrial action stops them from operating,” Mrs Ward said. “Monday’s strike means workers miss shifts, kids miss school classes and families are forced to bear the brunt of both.”
 
Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations Damien Tudehope slammed the Minns Labor Government for inaction in the face of this strike that already has businesses reporting financial losses.
 
“Chris Minns and Jo Haylen need to fix this ferry fiasco – they need to stand up to their union mates, and help keep these vital community services operating,” Mr Tudehope said. “It is far past the point when the Minister should have intervened.”
 
Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston said the local community was at their wits end with local households and businesses severely hurt by these strikes.
 
“Every day I am getting feedback that the union seems to have no regard for the communities that rely on these ferry services,” Ms Preston said.
 
“It isn’t good enough that residents are being held to ransom. I am very concerned that emergency services are being delayed during time-critical incidents. Police, firies and ambulance cannot be kept waiting for a ferry service to resume operation. Transport Minister Jo Haylen needs to resolve this stand-off urgently.”