Steph Cooke MP Inspects Boorowa’s Flood Damage

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke visited residents and businesses in Boorowa to the impact of the recent floods.

“As with many of our small communities, Boorowa has seen more than its fair share of flooding with the recent and sustained wet weather,” Ms Cooke said.

“It is important we provide the support needed to get them through this difficult time.”

“I would encourage anyone who is seeking assistance to please reach out to my office if you have any questions.”

Hilltops Mayor, Marg Roles joined Ms Cooke on her visit to various residents and businesses, including the much-loved Boorowa Caravan park.

Ms Cooke said small business owners and not-for-profits should apply for recovery grants of up $50,000 now that they are officially open.

“We’ve seen 75 local government areas subject to a natural disaster declaration over the past few months, including our own across the Cootamundra electorate,” she said.

“It’s been a very tough period right across inland NSW with more than 3,500 properties damaged and 1,881 or those deemed uninhabitable.

“There is still a long road to recovery ahead for local businesses and not-for-profit organisations and this grant is about ensuring they can get back on their feet sooner.

“The impact of the flooding has been devastating and it’s going to be a long road to recovery. “These grants will provide small business owners and not-for-profits with much-needed cash flow to recover and get back to serving their customers and their community,” she said.

Under the Natural Disaster Declaration (1034 AGRN) residents and businesses in the Hilltops LGA may be eligible for:

• Primary producers:
  • concessional loans up to $130,000;
  • transport subsidy up to $15,000; and
  • grants up to $25,000.
• Small businesses:
  • concessional loans up to $130,000; and
  • recovery grants up to $50,000.
• Not-for-profit/community organisations:
  • concessional loans up to $25,000;
  • donated fodder transport subsidy; and
  • recovery grants up to $50,000.
• Sporting clubs:
  • concessional loans up to $10,000.

Disaster relief payments and grants may be available for people directly affected by storms and floods in declared disaster areas.

Visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance for more information.

Contact Service NSW at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au for information on personal hardship and distress assistance.

Apply for a concessional loan from NSW Rural Assistance Authority at https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/ or phone 1800 678 593.

Find information on disaster assistance on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website.

• Topics:

• Floods