Joint media release with the Hon Jihad Dib MP
Disaster assistance will be made available in the Bega Valley Shire Local Government Area (LGA) following severe bushfires on 3 October 2023.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the bushfire across the Bega Valley area caused significant damage.
“For many in the Bega Valley the threat of bushfires is still fresh from Black Summer,” Minister Watt said.
“This early assistance will begin the recovery process for those directly affected, as we continue to collect information to understand the full impacts of the fires. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Minns Government, ready to support communities.”
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the assistance will support communities, landowners, farmers, and primary producers to help in the clean-up and recovery from the bushfires.
“It is important that we open up this funding and support so impacted councils and some residents get their lives back on track,” Minister Dib said.
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
- Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply).
- 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.
- Freight subsidies for primary producers.
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit the
NSW Government website.
To apply for a concessional loan, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website.
