The Government and the SES have both made Tumbulgum the centre of attention in recent weeks as the tiny riverside town recovers from the recent floods.
It was announced last week that the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has been extended to people severely affected by the flooding caused by ex-tropical cyclone Oswald in the NSW township of Tumbulgum.
Minister for Emergency Manage-ment Mark Dreyfus QC this week announced that eligible people in the township of Tumbulgum can claim payments of $1000 for each adult and $400 for each child.
Meanwhile, Richmond Tweed SES acting regional controller Kaylene Jones called a public meeting in the town, after hearing of concerns about response times during the recent flooding.
Kaylene said she had called the meeting to try and address community concerns and to find ways for the community and the volunteer organisation to work together.
She said, amongst options discussed were the idea of having local wardens on the ground in the town. Expressions of interest will be called for members of a flood safety committee.
The small town was inundated by the floods last month, when heavy rain fell in the catchments for both the Tweed and Rous Rivers.
“This has been a difficult time for people affected by these floods and these payments will provide a helping hand as the severely affected Tumbulgum community moves into the recovery phase,” Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus said.
Senator Kim Carr also encour-aged people directly affected by the floods in the area of Tumbulgum in NSW to access the AGDRP as soon as possible.
“I urge those individuals affected in the Tumbulgum area to take advantage of this assistance and the other support provided by the Department of Human Services,” Senator Carr said.
The AGDRP is also being provided in the Clarence Valley Local Government Area, New South Wales, for the severe weather, rainfall and associated flooding following ex-tropical cyclone Oswald.
The easiest way to lodge a claim for the AGDRP is online at www.humanservices.gov.au or by calling the Australian Government Information Line on 180 22 66 from 8am to 8pm local time, seven days a week.
Completed claim forms can also be lodged in person at a Commonwealth Department of Human Services service centre.
This Australian Government assistance is over and above the support already being provided under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA), which are jointly funded by the Australia Government and the States.
Further information on Australian Government assistance is available online at www.disasterassist.gov.au
