Legal services funding for flood victims

The Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre (NRCLC) will receive a $680,000 funding boost to deliver critical legal services to people recovering from the flood crisis.

Attorney General Mark Speakman said the investment would ensure the community received legal support in a timely fashion.

“This funding has been allocated by the NSW Government from the Commonwealth’s $5.45 million package for existing legal services providing advice to flood affected communities in NSW and Queensland,” Mr Speakman said.

“Many people will require legal help to navigate insurance and property matters after NSW’s recent catastrophic weather events.

“The Northern Rivers requires support for domestic violence, generalist legal, tenancy and social work services.

“I’m grateful that NSW secured the bulk of the Commonwealth’s $5.45 million funding, at $3.29 million.”

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the injection of funds would help to provide legal services to flood-affected communities.

“The $680,000 will enable several additional full-time staff to relieve NRCLC staff who have been working tirelessly in spite of experiencing flooding which impacted their own homes,” Ms Cooke said.

“This funding will also cover the cost of a van so that NRCLC can provide legal services to wherever they are most needed across the Northern Rivers region.”

Executive Director of Community Legal Centres NSW, Tim Leach, said the NRCLC office sustained extensive damage during the Lismore floods, with significant damage to premises and equipment destroyed.

“The NRCLC covers a large area, stretching all the way up to Tweed Heads. It’s important that the CLC is accessible to the entire community,” Mr Leach said.

“This funding will enable Northern Rivers CLC to bring on support staff to assist its team as well as acquire a new office space to serve the public from a central location.”

/Public Release. View in full here.