Flood affected farmers in the region deserve better, says a local MP.
Independent Federal Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, said locals deserve the support of the NSW Deputy Premier and the NSW Government with Flood Assistance Grants.
“Only last month, the Member for Oxley and Deputy NSW Premier, Andrew Stoner welcomed funding support for flood affected farms and businesses along the South Coast and areas around Forbes,” Mr Oakeshott said.
“Residents of Shellharbour City and Shoalhaven City local government areas are still eligible to apply for grants of up to $15,000, yet primary producers and small business operators of Kempsey, Bellingen, Taree and Wingham are not.
“Despite describing the recent Mid-North Coast floods as ‘a major disaster spread over a huge area’, Mr Stoner has acknowledged that, unlike other areas of the State, the NSW Government will not be contributing to local Flood Assistance Grants, nor will it be applying for a Federal Government contribution.
“Local residents are quite rightly asking why South Coast cities have the support of the Member for Oxley, yet towns and people within his own electorate have been left alone to deal with damage to buildings and trading stock, loss of plant and equipment, disposal of dead livestock and damage to property access and internal roads.
“This is the time when local farmers and small business owners need their local state member to represent them and gain some much-needed financial support.
“I am surprised and disappointed that, after only 100 days in power, Mr Stoner has forgotten local farmers in need on such an important issue,” Mr Oakeshott said.
