Flood Recovery Information

The Hawkesbury Waste Management Facility will be accepting flood waste for FREE commencing Saturday 13 April, from residential properties impacted by the floods. We kindly ask residents attending the Waste Management Facility to show PATIENCE, KINDNESS, and RESPECT to our onsite staff. For everyone's safety, traffic control will be in place over the weekend.

Remember, flood waste should not contain prohibited items such as, soil, fibro, or asbestos. Loads will be checked at the weighbridge as per normal. Loads containing asbestos or any other prohibited waste will be rejected. These cannot be accepted even if it is flood waste. If you need additional clean-up assistance, please visit the Recovery Centre and register with Service NSW for assistance. The Recovery Centre is open, Saturday 13 April 10am to 4pm at Windsor Function Centre.

Note: Charges apply for other waste that is not flood waste and for residential properties that are not flood affected.

📍 The Waste Facility is open to Hawkesbury LGA residents from 8am to 4pm, 7 days a week (excluding Public Holidays).

Don't forget to bring proof of address such as a Driver's Licence or Rates Notice. ℹ️ Recovery Centre is open, Monday 15 April - Friday 19 April 10am to 4pm at Windsor Function Centre.

Primary Producers:

• Natural Disaster Relief Loans for Primary Producers

Primary producers directly affected by a declared natural disaster may be eligible for a low interest loan of up to $130,000 to support recovery.

Natural Disaster Relief Loans for Primary Producers | NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)

• Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy

Primary producers affected by a declared natural disaster can apply for a subsidy up to $15,000 for transport at a rate of 50% of the total amount paid to the carrier or specified costs for an owner driver. Available to eligible farmers who are affected by a declared natural disaster event. This subsidy pays for the cost of transporting:

• fodder and/or water to an affected property
• stock to sale or slaughter
• stock to/from agistment

Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy | NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)

Small Businesses:

• Natural Disaster Relief Loans for Small Businesses

Small business operators directly affected by a declared natural disaster may be eligible for a low interest loan of up to $130,000 to support recovery.

Natural Disaster Relief Loans for Small Businesses | NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)

Non-for-Profit Organisations/community organisations

• Natural Disaster Relief Loans for Non-Profit Organisations

Natural Disaster Relief Loans assist voluntary non-profit organisations directly affected by a declared natural disaster including flood, fire or storm damage. May be eligible for a loan of up to $25,000 to support recovery.

Natural Disaster Donated Fodder Transport Subsidy | NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)

• Natural Disaster Donated Fodder Transport Subsidy

The scheme will pay for the costs of donating and transporting donated fodder to affected properties or storage facilities in a central location up to a maximum of distance of 1,500 kilometres.

Natural Disaster Donated Fodder Transport Subsidy | NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA)

TAX RELIEF

• The ATO is offering assistance with meeting tax obligations for businesses impacted by floods. You can also phone the ATO Emergency support line on 1800 806 218 to see what support is available in your circumstances.

https://www.ato.gov.au/General/Support-in-difficult-times/Natural-disaster-support/Flood-support/

REVENUE NSW

• If you are or have been impacted by the recent floods and are having difficulty managing your obligations with Revenue NSW, there are a range of options we can offer to assist you based on your specific circumstances including:
• extending payment or lodgement time frames
• arranging payment plans
• lifting licence or registration sanctions
• putting debts on short term hold
• assisting with hardship applications
• considering the emergency situation when assessing requests for review.

https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/news-media-releases/natural-disaster-relief

DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS – DISASTER ASSIST

• The joint Australian, state and territory governments' Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) provide a range of financial assistance to the natural disaster-declared areas in each state or territory. To explore more recovery assistance and arrangements, visit NSW East Coast Flooding (1 April 2024 onwards) (disasterassist.gov.au)

RURAL FINANCIAL COUNSILLOR

• RFCSNR provide free, unbiased, independent, confidential and expert support
  to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses. Funded by the Australian Government and New South Wales Government.

Visit Home - Rural Financial Counselling Service (rfcsnr.org.au) or call 1800 344 090

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES

• Emergency management of floods and storms - Floods and storms (nsw.gov.au)

LEGAL SUPPORT

• Businesses can contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529 to discuss legal support that may be available from Legal Aid NSW, Community Legal Centres and other free legal assistance services in your area.

Legal Aid NSW lawyers may be able to provide free legal advice to businesses affected by disasters on a range of issues including insurance, tenancy, credit and debt problems. Visit https://www.clcnsw.org.au/legal-help-flood-affected-communities-nsw-2022 more information.

INSURANCE ASSISTANCE

• Insurance Council of Australia - The Insurance Council of Australia may be able to assist businesses who have queries relating to insurance.

Visit https://www.insurancecouncil.com.au/ or call 1800 734 621.

PROPERTY ASSESSMENT AND DEMOLITION GRANTS (PAD)

Free structural assessments and demolition for damaged primary production properties. Register for the Flood Property Assessment Program - Apply for the Disaster Relief Grant | Service NSW

CLEAN-UP ASSISTANCE

Help for businesses in disaster declared LGAs to clear debris from inside and around their property, if it prevents safe restoration or access.
Flood clean-up assistance and advice | NSW Government

HELP FROM YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION

• Flood-affected residents of New South Wales may also be granted loan deferrals or reduced payment arrangements by their financial institution for some business loans depending on their circumstances. Contact your financial institution for further details.

HELP FROM YOUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDER

• Optus has set up a dedicated phone number for flood-affected customers: 1800 507 581 More information: Customers impacted by floods (optus.com.au)
• For Telstra’s disaster assistance Call 1800 888 888 or visit their disaster relief page at Telstra Disaster relief | Disaster Support

GENERAL BUSINESS SUPPORT

The Business Concierge service offers ongoing, tailored help for NSW businesses impacted by storms and floods.

Business Connect provides professional advisors, all of whom have experience in running their own small business. They'll be able to help you with:

• Access to storms and floods support
• accessing finance including grants and loans
• connect to services and advice

You can book an appointment online at https://mybusiness.service.nsw.gov.au/concierge or call 13 77 88 Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm

BUSINESS GUIDE TO RECOVERING AND PREPARING FOR DISATER

• “Get back to business” by the NSW Small Business Commissioner is a step-bystep guide for business owners dealing with a disaster. The guide provides information to help businesses from the moment disaster hits, to the days, weeks and months ahead. Visit Get back to business - a guide to recovering from disaster | NSW Small Business Commissioner to learn more or download a copy.
• “Get Ready Business: Five step guide to preparing for disaster”, this free toolkit by the NSW small business commissioner has been developed to help you get your business ready for disasters in five simple steps. To learn more or download a copy, visit Get Ready Business: five step guide to preparing for disasters | NSW Small Business Commissioner

DISASTER RECOVERY

• Over the past few years, the NSW Government has introduced a number of planning initiatives to support families, businesses and communities across the state to rebuild and recover following natural disasters.

Information on these initiatives and other general guidance material that may assist you in your emergency response work, including returning to your property, cleaning up and rebuilding your home are provided below.

Disaster Recovery - (nsw.gov.au)

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
There is 24/7 help available on the following numbers

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
• NSW Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511

More information can be found here:
https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/get-help/mental-health/mental-health-small-business

LOCAL RECOVERY SUPPORT SERVICES

• Workplace Advice Line – 13 29 59
• Free to all businesses within NSW for the next 4 weeks who have been impacted by the current flood disaster
• Opening Hours - Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm
• Strengthening Business 13 28 46
• Strengthening Business is a service under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme that connects you with experts to make your business stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the future

Opening Hours – Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm across Australia

NATIONAL DEBT HOTLINE

• The National Debt Hotline offers free and confidential financial counselling and resources. Call 1800 007 007 or visit https://ndh.org.au/

AGRICULTURAL ADVICE – LOCAL LAND SERVICES

• For livestock animal assessments, veterinary support and agricultural advice, contact the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline — 1800 814 647.
  The Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline is currently operating from 8 am to 6 pm. If you call outside of these times, please leave a message including your contact details and you will receive a return call.
  https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/emergency-and-biosecurity/floods

DISASTER AND EMERGENCY DASHBOARD

Road closures and flood support information https://disaster.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

FLOOD RECORY INFORMATION

Your Hawkesbury Your say – Flood recovery updates Flood Recovery Information | Your Hawkesbury Your Say (yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au)

NSW GOVERNMENT

• Waste levy lifted for Hawkesbury residents - The NSW Government has lifted the waste levy fee for residents in the Hawkesbury LGA, to help them recover from intense heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The community will not have to pay to dispose of flood-generated waste and debris at landfill sites until 30 June 2024.
• The local landfill gate fee may still apply. The exemption covers waste on both public and private land, including damaged building materials, furniture, carpet, gardening debris, and any other flood-related products. - Waste Levy lifted for Hawkesbury residents | NSW Government

SERVICE NSW

• Disaster Recovery Assistance - Storm and flood assistance for businesses | Service NSW If the recent floods have impacted your business, this tool can help you with information on clean up options, mental health support and more. You can also use the Disaster Assistance Finder – a simple online tool that gives you a personalised list of flood recovery services. · Mediation support for commercial tenancies - NSW small business storms and flood support | Small Business Commissioner If you're a retail or other commercial premises tenant, property agent or owner and unsure who is responsible for repairs caused by storm damage, check the terms of your lease agreement to understand repair obligations.
• Local flood help and information – Find help available in your local area, including recovery centres, clean-up help, transport, and road information. For more information about your flood affected area visit Local flood help and information | NSW Government Local flood help and information – Find help available in your local area, including recovery centres, clean-up help, transport, and road information. Local Flood Help and Information

In partnership with Governments across the country, GIVIT will manage and coordinate offers of individual and corporate donations, including goods, services, volunteering and funds, associated with emergency recovery. In times of emergency, GIVIT is the smart way to give to help people and communities impacted.

https://www.givit.org.au/about-us/givit-disaster-resources

Service NSW

Disaster assistance is now available in the Hawkesbury, Shoalhaven, Local Government Area (LGAs) following the impact of flooding from 5 April 2024.

The assistance measures are being provided by the Australian and New South Wales Governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Support includes:

• Funding for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets.
• Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation or small cash payments to purchase essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres.
• Grants for eligible residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
• Grants for eligible residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
• Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, sporting and recreation clubs, and non-profit organisations to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property.
• Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.nsw.gov.au.

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

Peppercorn Services - Person Centered Emergency Preparedness (PCEP)

Person-Centered Emergency Preparedness (P-CEP) guides the community and its people through conversation to prepare for emergencies. You are supported to self - assess risk, your preparedness for emergencies such as house fire, landslides, floods, power outages, bushfires, storms, pandemics, and heatwaves.
and support needs in emergency situations. Together the team will develop formal emergency preparedness plans tailored to individual capabilities and needs with the aim to optimise your self- reliance and forward plan your reliance on others.
For more information about PCEP or to book an appointment please

visit http://www.peppercorn.org.au/person-centred-emergency.../ call 4587 0222 or email pcep@peppercorn.org.au

NSW Health:

Disaster Recovery Clinicians for support and referral with mental health needs.

Psychological support to people experiencing suicidal crisis or psychological distress in rural communities and community engagement

Contact:

• Ian McLachlan ian.mclaughlin@health.nsw.gov.au 0428 481 412
• Sally Weymouth sally.weymouth@health.nsw.gov.au 0429 011 134
• Monica Kaoutal Monica.Kaoutal@health.nsw.gov.au 0407 366 015

Department of Primary industry

Department of Regional NSW

Lisa Sullivan - Recovery Officer

Rural Recovery Support Service | NSW DPI Strategy & Engagement

Phone: 0438 080 459

Email: lisa.sullivan@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Rural Financial Counsellor - Greater Sydney Basin

Matthew Nicholson

Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW Northern Region

Phone: 1800 344 090 | 0458 222 216

Email: hawkesbury@rfcsnr.org.au

Website: www.rfcsnr.org.au

Food, Support and Community services

Website: https://www.yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au/info

Hawkesbury Community Hubs - Flood Recovery information and services available

• Wednesdays @ Wilberforce School of Arts Hall - 531 Wilberforce Road
• Thursdays @ Colo Heights Hall - 2996 Putty Road Colo Heights
• Fridays @ St Albans School of Arts Hall - 7 Upper Macdonald Road

Service Providers Available at the hub - Service NSW, Service NSW Business concierge, Peppercorn Recovery Support, Mental health support, Rural Financial Counsellor, DPI, Hawkesbury City Council, Western Sydney Community Legal Centre Limited, Legal Aid, Red Cross & Salvation Army

Please click here for all the HUBS INFORMATION

For Mental Health Support 24hours/7 days a week call:

Crisis Support 13 1114

Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636

Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800 - support for young people aged 5 to 25

Local Mental Health Support:

Hawkesbury Headspace 1800 517 171

Head to Health Hawkesbury 1800 595 212

Hope 4 U 1800 467 348

Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network 1800 595 212

The new permanent Hawkesbury Head to Health site has opened its doors in Richmond!

Located at 1-2 Musson Lane in Richmond, the service provides free mental health support in a safe and welcoming environment for people experiencing distress or crisis. It also supports those wanting to find other mental health support for themselves, or someone they care about.

Contact 1800 595 212