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Whilst relentless rains, storms and floods hammer vast regions of NSW and Queensland, homeowners, businesses, commercial and rural property owners are being warned to prepare for the hidden danger of asbestos that lurks in one in three Australian homes and in rural and commercial property structures.

Countless numbers of homes, businesses and rural properties have been destroyed or damaged leaving thousands homeless, waiting for floodwaters to subside before commencing the heartbreaking task of cleaning up, and in many cases rebuilding after homes and businesses have been completely destroyed.

Cherie Barber, Ambassador for the National Asbestos Awareness campaign is urging impacted property owners, residents and volunteers to be wary of potential dangers posed by damaged asbestos-containing materials found in homes, buildings, structures and flood debris that may have washed onto their properties.

“When homes and other buildings containing asbestos are damaged or destroyed during floods, wind and storms, asbestos-containing materials can become eroded, disturbed, broken or friable causing a health risk to homeowners, property owners, property managers and the community if these materials aren’t managed correctly and disposed of safely,” Ms Barber said.

“Before commencing the clean-up, to protect themselves, their families and communities; property owners must visit www.asbestosawareness.com.au to learn how to identify and manage asbestos safely.

“They should also contact their local Council or Emergency Services for important information about asbestos and if asbestos needs to be removed, please only use professional licenced asbestos removalists because it’s not worth the risk,” she said.

Asbestos was used in the manufacture of more than 3000 building and decorator products that can still be found in any brick, weatherboard, clad or fibro home built or renovated prior to 1990. It was used everywhere and may be in many forms including flat or corrugated sheets (fibro) used for walls, ceilings, roofing or in products such as pipes, electrical conduit, eaves, wall and floor tiles and other structures including garages and garden sheds.

In many coastal regions hit hard by the current flood disaster, often original ‘weekenders or shacks’ were constructed from flat and corrugated (fibro) sheeting including external and internal walls and ceilings, while in rural and regional areas, homes; fences, storage sheds, chook sheds, out houses and stock sheds may have been constructed from asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos was also commonly used in the construction of commercial and non-residential properties such as shops or public buildings prior to December 2003.

Bret Baker, President of the Asbestos & Hazmat Removal Contractors Association of NSW (AHRCA) and a Civil and Environmental Engineer with more than 25 years experienced in asbestos removal and demolition warned property owners of the serious hazards after floodwaters subside including asbestos.

“It’s important that property owners and volunteers do not walk on corrugated asbestos roofs or enter any buildings until authorised to do so by Council or Emergency Services,” Mr Baker said.

“Erosion, heavy rains, winds and tree branches may have caused additional damage to already aged asbestos roofs as well as the walls of the structure. While homes, commercial properties and other structures (sheds, garages and stock sheds etc.) may be structurally unsound and vulnerable to collapse.

“Other potential hazards property owners need to avoid include damaged asbestos-containing materials, sharp edges, protruding nails and broken materials including glass and timber that could be found in building rubble, damaged structures and flood debris,” said Mr Baker.

“When it comes to managing asbestos, the first rule is, if you think a building material, product or debris may contain asbestos, treat it as if it is asbestos and take all the necessary precautions in line with regulations,” he said.

“When storms and floods hit, whole buildings and even stockpiled asbestos-containing materials (particularly flat or corrugated sheeting commonly known as fibro) can be picked up by floodwaters and moved from one location to another.

“So, even if your home was built after 1990, it is likely that during floods, miscellaneous debris and rubbish including asbestos-containing materials from elsewhere can end up on your property and pose a risk.

“Should you find displaced structures and debris containing asbestos on your property, it’s vital that these materials are managed safely and in line with regulations,” Mr Baker said.

Homeowners, commercial and rural property owners and managers should visit www.asbestosawareness.com.au for information on how to identify asbestos-containing building materials and decorator products and find out what they need to know to manage asbestos safely following storms and floods.

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is reassuring flood-impacted communities in Queensland and New South Wales that support is available. The ATO recognises the situation is evolving, with many areas continuing to face challenging conditions while others are in different stages of recovery.

Assistant Commissioner Andrew Watson said that people still dealing with the immediate impacts of the floods should not worry about tax and focus on current concerns. Those who are able, can contact the ATO or their tax professional if they are struggling to meet their tax obligations.

“We want to assure the community that support is available if and when you need it. We understand the lasting impacts disasters like this can have for affected communities. We are committed to assisting people to get back on track,” Mr Watson said.

The ATO is also providing support for small business and individual taxpayers in affected local government areas (LGAs) in Queensland and New South Wales who need to lodge business activity statements and instalment notices with an original due date of 28 February 2022 or 21 March 2022.

“There is no need for taxpayers impacted by floods in these local government areas to call and request a deferral for business activity statements that are now due,” Mr Watson said.

These taxpayers can lodge relevant returns up until 28 March 2022 and do not need to request a lodgment deferral if they are able to lodge by that date. If unable to lodge by 28 March 2022, taxpayers or their tax professional can apply for a deferral, which will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

The ATO also has a range of practical options available to support those who have been affected by the floods, like the support we offered during the 2019/20 bushfires and COVID-19. Depending on individual circumstances, the ATO will develop a tailored plan for you and your small business.

“We know your tax affairs may be the last thing on your mind, but we’re here to help with tailored support when the time is right, whether you’re an individual or small business owner. The payment due date of these lodgments will not change however we will take an empathic approach to your situation,” Mr Watson said.

If your records have been damaged or destroyed during a disaster or incident, the ATO can re-issue copies of income tax returns, activity statements and notice of assessments. If you have lost your tax file number, we can use another method to verify who you are and help you access your tax information.

If your tax circumstances have changed because of floods, you can change your GST reporting cycle to monthly reporting and payment and vary your PAYG instalments.

The ATO recognises that not all taxpayers in flood affected LGAs have been directly impacted. These taxpayers should contact the ATO or their tax professional to discuss their circumstances if they need additional support.

The ATO is also supporting tax professionals in affected areas. Tax professionals that have been affected by the floods can contact the ATO when ready for tailored support through our supported lodgment program.

For more information visit ato.gov.au/NaturalDisasters or phone the ATO’s dedicated Emergency support line on 1800 806 218.

THE RELENTLESS DELUGE that has flooded towns and cities in Queensland and New South Wales is one of the most extreme disasters in Australian history, and the devastation is wide ranging.

New Climate Council report ‘A Supercharged Climate: Rain bombs, flash flooding and destruction’ comes as the Prime Minister declares a national emergency, and outlines the sheer intensity and magnitude of the devastating rainfall and storms that caused widespread flooding and destruction along Australia’s east coast.

Key Findings: 

• Within three days, the Brisbane River below Wivenhoe received 1,450 billion litres of water – the equivalent of three Sydney Harbours’ worth. 
• 80 percent of Brisbane’s annual rainfall fell in the city over three days, which is more rain than typically falls in London over an entire year. 
• Insured losses are currently on track to reach $2 billion. The estimated current cost of insurance claims related to the Feb/March 2022 Queensland and New South Wales flooding disaster is $1.45 billion (as of 8 March 2022).
• The recovery time for communities and emergency services between events is shrinking. In the 10 years preceding this disaster, the NSW coast suffered five severe rainfall events with daily totals exceeding 400 millimeters.
• The NSW State Emergency Service conducted a record 932 rescues within 24 hours (28 Feb – 1 March 2022). 
• Climate change is intensifying extreme rainfall. The frequency of these events is likely to almost double with each degree of further global warming.

Professor Will Steffen, Climate Councillor, climate change expert and ANU Emeritus Professor said: 

“Climate change is playing out in real time here in Australia. We are dealing with a climate system on steroids.”

“For many communities dealing with flood emergencies, this is the latest in a long line of climate-fuelled extreme weather events they have faced recently. Unless we act now and join the rest of the world to reduce emissions this decade, such disasters will only get worse.” 

The Greens have called on Scott Morrison to join the US and UK who have overnight announced they will be boycotting Russian oil imports. 

Over the last decade Russia has exported over $4.3 billion worth of crude oil to Australia, with $86 million last financial year, approximately 1% of Australia’s crude oil imports.

The Greens were the first to call for a Russian oil boycott on the 27th of February.

Greens leader, Adam Bandt MP said:

“Putin’s Russia is a petrostate, with 40% of its revenue coming from oil and gas. Australia should stop buying Russian oil.

“With a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes, the last thing Australia should be doing is fuelling Putin’s war machine. 

Greens Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Senator Janet Rice said: 

“Boycotting Russian oil is a small but practical way that Australia can help, and  ensures that  Australia isn’t doing business with a dictator who invades his neighbours.”

“The Greens are demanding an immediate ban on imports of Putin’s oil.”

The statement below was agreed to by ministers of sport or their equivalent after a joint meeting of nations, listed below.

Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of choice against Ukraine, enabled by the Belarusian government, is abhorrent and a flagrant breach of its international obligations. Respect for human rights and peaceful relations between nations form the foundation of international sport.

We, as a collective of like-minded nations, affirm our support for international sport organisations’ position that:

• Russia and Belarus should not be permitted to host, bid for or be awarded any international sporting events.
• Individual athletes selected by Russia and Belarus, administrators and teams representing the Russian or Belarusian state should be banned from competing in other countries, including those representing bodies, cities or brands that are effectively representing Russia or Belarus, such as major football clubs.
• Wherever possible, appropriate actions should be taken to limit sponsorship and other financial support from entities with links to the Russian or Belarusian states.

We call on all international sport federations to endorse these principles, and applaud all those that have done so already. We also welcome the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to prevent Russia’s and Belarus’ athletes from competing in the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing. These restrictions should be in place until cooperation under the fundamental principles of international law has become possible again.

We encourage all international sport organisations and all relevant legal bodies not to sanction athletes, coaches or officials who decide unilaterally to terminate their contracts with Russian, Belarusian or Ukrainian clubs, as well as not to pursue or to sanction sport organisers which decide to ban athletes or teams selected by Russia or Belarus.

Furthermore, we encourage the international sport community to continue to show its solidarity with the people of Ukraine, including through supporting the continuation of Ukrainian sport where possible.

Signed by the following Ministers:

Australia	Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck, Minister for Sport
Austria	Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler, Minister of Arts and Culture, Civil Service and Sport
Belgium	Valérie Glatigny, Minister for Higher Education, Adult Education, Scientific Research, University Hospitals, Youth Welfare, Houses of Justice, Youth, Sport and the Promotion of Brussels of the French-Speaking Community.This signature commits the French-speaking Community, the Flemish Community and the German-speaking Community of Belgium.
Canada	The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport
Croatia	Dr Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Tourism and Sport
Cyprus	Prodromos Prodromou, Minister of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth Office
Czech Republic	Petr Gazdík, Minister for Education, Youth and Sports
Denmark	Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, Minister for Culture
Estonia	Tiit Terik, Minister of Culture
Finland	Antti Kurvinen, Minister of Science and Culture
France	Roxana Maracineanu, Minister of Sport
Germany	Mahmut Özdemir MP, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community
Greece	Lefteris Avgenakis, Deputy Minister for Sports
Hungary	Dr István Kovács, Deputy State Secretary for International and European Union Affairs
Iceland	Ásmundur Einar Daðason, Minister of Education and Children
Ireland	Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht
Italy	Valentina Vezzali, Secretary of State for Sport
Japan	H.E. SUEMATSU Shinsuke, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Republic of Korea	HWANG Hee, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Latvia	Anita Muižniece, Minister for Education and Science
Liechtenstein	H.E. Dominique Hasler, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Education and Sport
Lithuania	Dr Jurgita Šiugždinienė, Minister of Education, Science and Sport
Luxembourg	Georges Engel, Minister of Sport
Malta	Dr Clifton Grima, Minister for Education and Sport
Netherlands	Conny Helder, Minister for Long-term Care and Sport
New Zealand	Hon Grant Robertson, Minister for Sport and Recreation
Norway	Anette Trettebergstuen, Minister of Culture and Equality
Poland	Kamil Bortniczuk, Minister of Sport and Tourism
Portugal	Dr Tiago Brandão Rodrigues, Minister of Education (responsible for Youth and Sport)
Romania	Carol-Eduard Novak, Minister of Sports
Slovakia	Ivan Husar, State Secretary for Sport
Slovenia	Dr Simona Kustec, Minister of Education, Science and Sport
Spain	Miquel Octavi Iceta i Llorens, Minister of Culture and Sport
Sweden	Anders Ygeman, Minister for Integration and Migration
Switzerland	Viola Amherd, Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport
United Kingdom	The Rt Hon Nadine Dorries MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
United States of America	Jennifer Hall Godfrey, Senior Official for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs

More support is on the way for families, farms and businesses affected by the catastrophic flooding disaster in northern NSW and Queensland as part of an additional package of support from the Morrison Government.

As communities continue the recovery and clean-up effort led by Resilience NSW and regional recovery coordinator, Deputy Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, as well as by the Queensland Government and Major General Jake Ellwood, this further support from the Morrison Government will ensure people get money in their pockets to help get them through.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government was focused right now on the pressing needs of communities in NSW and Queensland.

“I intend to recommend to the Governor-General to make a National Emergency Declaration covering this severe weather and flooding event across New South Wales and Queensland to ensure all our emergency powers are available and that we cut through any red tape we might face in delivering services and support on the ground,” the Prime Minister said.

“I have made this decision today, in consultation with the Premiers, after further briefings from government agencies about the situation in northern NSW and seeing the catastrophe firsthand. We introduced the power to make a National Emergency Declaration after the Black Summer bushfires and it will ensure our Ministers and agencies don’t face any unnecessary bureaucracy as they roll out what communities need.

“The feedback we’ve had from communities, state governments and my own ministers who have visited the impacted areas has helped us identify where the gaps are right now, and how we can get support out the door quickly to where it’s needed.”

The National Recovery and Resilience Agency and Emergency Management Australia have assessed the flood extent area, the proportion of the populations affected, the latest residential impact assessments and the proportion of population seeking assistance for Disaster Recovery Payments to declare the Richmond Valley, Lismore and Clarence Valley LGAs are the highest impacted areas and in need of additional support.

The Prime Minister said those three LGAs were facing catastrophic conditions.

“The sheer scale and impact to these areas in northern NSW highlights the need for extra support right now,” the Prime Minister said.

“While people in northern NSW aren’t able to work, are still clearing out their homes and businesses, the extra two lots of $1,000 payments we’re rolling out to eligible families and individuals will give them some certainty as they start to rebuild their lives.

“We can’t underestimate the long term mental health toll so many communities will be facing. As well as the new mental health supports we’re announcing, my government will closely monitor the situation to understand what else people need as they recover from these disasters.

“Resilience NSW and Deputy Commissioner Lanyon and the Queensland Government and Major General Ellwood will work alongside the Federal National Recovery and Resilience Agency (NRRA) to identify the priorities for the longer-term recovery under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“We’ll work closely with the NSW and Queensland Governments to deliver further funding. It’s crises like this that the Emergency Response Fund was established to help support and it will help as part of the initiatives we deliver so communities across NSW and Queensland get back on their feet.”

This next phase of support includes:

• An additional two weekly disaster payments for the catastrophe zones in the Lismore, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley LGAs, automatically paid for those who have already claimed and received the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment, at the current rate of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child. These payments will be made from 15 and 22 March. The NRRA will also undertake assessment of possible additional LGAs that also meet the catastrophic impact assessment
• Support for Norco in northern NSW on a bespoke business support package, in partnership with the NSW Government, to help restore operations of this key business and employer
• $10 million to support the mental health of school-aged children in the Northern Rivers region affected by the recent flood event under the ‘Resilient Kids’ program
• $800,000 to extend the Regional Small Business Support Program to include small businesses impacted by the recent flood event in NSW and QLD for two RFCS regions, with a six month extension until 31 December 2022, as well as free and independent case managed financial counselling through the Rural Financial Counselling Service
• $5.4 million to boost existing legal assistance services operating within affected communities
• $25 million for emergency relief, food relief and financial counselling services
• Approximately $6.9 million in support payments of $10,000 to assist early childhood education and care (ECEC) services affected by the floods where they have been closed for more than seven days. More severely impacted services will also be able to apply for Community Child Care Fund Special Circumstances grants
• $7 million to expand the Commonwealth’s business recovery and resilience service, Strengthening Business, into at least 30 of the most flood affected regions of northern New South Wales (NSW) and south-eastern Queensland
• $31.2 million to deliver immediate and longer term local mental health support services for individuals, families, and communities impacted by the disaster and to support communities to recover and build resilience across the flood affected communities
• $4.7 million to ensure the immediate continuity of primary health care services for flood-impacted Australians

Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience Bridget McKenzie said the Government was also looking at how to support primary producers particularly in northern NSW.

“As people turn their minds to the future, we want them to know they’ve got options and we’ll be there to help them,” Minister McKenzie said.

“That’s why we’re working with NSW and Queensland to identify the priorities for the longer-term recovery under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.”

Minister for Government Services Linda Reynolds said the additional $1,000 disaster payments would take immediate pressure off many families and allow them to focus on recovering from this major disaster event.

“The catastrophic scale and impact of what we’re seeing in this region of northern NSW is exactly why this extra support is needed,” Minister Reynolds said.

“The additional two $1,000 payments will automatically kick in for AGDRP recipients in the Lismore, Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley local government areas so there is no need for people to re-apply.

“Eligible adults in these three LGAs will receive a total payment of $3000 each, plus a total of $1,200 for each child. I’d encourage anyone who has not yet applied for the disaster payment to do so as soon as possible.”

The Federal Government has paid $238.9 million in disaster payments to 205,700 individuals impacted in NSW, since the payments opened on 1 March, including $16.5 million to 14,342 individuals in northern NSW. The Government has also paid $146.3 million in disaster payments to 125,200 individuals impacted in Queensland, since the payments opened on 28 February.

The Morrison Government has so far deployed more than 4,370 Australian Defence Force personnel to the flood zones, including 2,650 to northern NSW, and this support is expected to increase over coming days, with total deployments expected to reach 6,000 across NSW and Queensland by the end of the week.

The ADF are also deploying additional tractors, front end loaders, bob cats, dump and lift trucks into the region, and have been inserted into communities including Evans Head, Coraki, Woodburn and Broadwater by helicopter, and have been on the ground in Wilson’s Creek, Main Arm and Repentance Creek.

The latest round of support is in addition to the $434.7 million package announced last week by the Morrison and Perrottet Governments, including:

• Demand driven – $75,000 grants to assist primary producers that have suffered direct damage from the recent severe weather and flooding. NSW Government estimate this to initially be $111.5 million.
• Demand driven – $50,000 grants to assist small business and not-for-profit organisations that have suffered direct damage from the event. NSW Government estimate this to initially be $89.7 million.
• $210 million to assist affected communities with the clean-up and removal of flood and storm related damage, debris and green waste. This will enable LGAs to work with Resilience NSW and NSW Government agencies to coordinate clean-up activities in their communities.
• $1 million grants to impacted councils to assist with their immediate social, built, economic and environmental needs. This list may continue to grow.
• $6.5 million to provide Community Recovery Officers to support communities impacted by this event.

The Morrison and Palaszczuk Governments announced an initial $558.5 million jointly funded support package for flood affected Queensland communities in need, which included:

• Demand driven grants – $75,000 for farmers and primary producers
• Demand drive grants – $50,000 for affected small businesses and not-for-profit organisations
• Demand driven grants – $20,000 for sporting and community clubs and associations
• Nineteen affected councils will also be helped through a $1 million injection each to assist with urgent clean-up works.

People in NSW requiring assistance are urged to contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online at: www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods

For more information on grants for primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations, phone the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority on 1800 623 946 or visit http://www.qrida.qld.gov.au