www.raa.nsw.gov.au
The NSW and Australian Governments have announced additional assistance measures to support primary producers who have been impacted by the floods and severe weather that occurred from February 2022 onwards.
Assistance is now being provided to 60 local government areas in NSW through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Primary producers recovering from the devastating impacts of floods are receiving vital support, with Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000 now available.
Flood affected primary producers are encouraged to apply for Special Disaster Grants to access financial assistance to get back operating as soon as possible.
Once approved, eligible primary producers can access $25,000 in assistance up-front, with a further $50,000 in financial assistance available thereafter upon submission of valid tax invoices.
To find out if you are eligible view the LGAs affected and the Guidelines below:
| Eligible Disaster | Declaration Date | Disaster recovery grants available in Local Government Areas | Closing Date for applications | Closing Date for claims |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW Storms and Floods from 22 February 2022 onwards | 29 July 2022 | Willoughby | 30 June 2023 | 30 September 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 22 February 2022 onwards | 20 May 2022 | Waverley | 30 June 2023 | 30 September 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 22 February 2022 onwards | 4 April 2022 | Lake Macquarie and Strathfield | 30 June 2023 | 30 September 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 22 February 2022 onwards | 23 March 2022 | Port Stephens | 30 June 2023 | 30 September 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 22 February 2022 onwards | 11 March 2022 | Cessnock, Cumberland, Dungog, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Lithgow, Maitland, Mid-Western, Muswellbrook, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Singleton, Snowy Monaro and Upper Hunter. | 30 June 2023 | 30 September 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 22 February 2022 onwards | 5 March 2022 | Bayside, Bega Valley, Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Canterbury Bankstown, Central Coast, Eurobodalla, Fairfield City, Georges River, Hawkesbury, Inner West, Kiama, Ku-ring-gai, Liverpool, MidCoast, Newcastle, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith, Ryde, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong. | 30 June 2023 | 30 September 2023 |
| NSW Storms and Floods from 22 February 2022 onwards | 4 March 2022 | Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Glen Innes Severn, Hornsby, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Nambucca, Port Macquarie/Hastings, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield, The Hills and Tweed. | 30 June 2023 | 30 September 2023 |
Eligible primary producers impacted by flood events that occurred from 22 February 2022 onwards (AGRN 1012) may apply for a Special Disaster Grant to support recovery and reinstatement of the primary production enterprise.
You should read the program guidelines before lodging an application.
Download the program guidelines here:
Program Guidelines - Special Disaster Grant February 2022.
Applicants will need to complete the online application form and attach a copy of the following documentation:
Ensure that your documents are scanned individually as they will need to be uploaded to specific sections throughout the form. Please note that the online form has file size restrictions (approx. 20MB total). For each attachment please ensure the file size is 2.5MB or less to avoid submission issues.
If you have previously submitted tax returns to the NSW RAA for the financial year 2020/2021 or more recently, you will not need to provide further information. If we do not have your previous financial information, we will seek your permission to contact your accountant directly if this is easiest for you.
The online application form has been designed to make the process as simple as possible. You will be required to upload digital copies of supporting documentation (please refer to the 'What you will need section') so please have these ready before commencing your application.
If you are unsure at any stage of the process as to how to complete the online application form, please use the Special Disaster Grant example application document for information and helpful tips on how to proceed.
Download the Special Disaster Grant Example Online Application Form here (PDF, 1095.92 KB).
You will need:
The RAA understands that you may have been impacted by a number of declared disaster events over the past 18 months and that allocating a claim (i.e. an invoice) to any one of these events may be difficult, or in some instances may not be possible. We ask that you use your best endeavours to ensure proper record keeping and can work with you to ensure the process of lodging your claim is as easy as possible.
If you are unsure at any stage of the process as to how to complete the online claim form, please use this Example Claims Request Form (PDF, 1324.16 KB).
Download the Frequently Asked Questions here.
To help you further understand the Special Disaster Grant and Future Resilience please download the Future Resilience Fact Sheet (PDF, 261.87 KB).
If you have difficulty understanding the guidelines or completing the application form you should seek the assistance of your rural/financial counsellor, business advisor, accountant or a trusted family member/friend.
Rural Financial Counselling Service
Free confidential assistance is available from your local Rural Financial Counselling Service - you can find your local service here:
Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Rural Recovery Support Service
The Rural Recovery Support Service is managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), to provide assistance to rural landholders and primary producers who have been impacted by the recent floods. DPI Recovery Workers are a single point of contact, providing information and referrals to support you on your recovery journey.
Translations
If you need assistance with interpreting or translating, please contact Multicultural NSW on 1300 651 500 or email languageservices@multicultural.nsw.gov.au.
The NSW Government is providing one-off council rates relief for eligible residential and commercial ratepayers in the flood-impacted Northern Rivers region.
Eligible ratepayers in the Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed LGAs whose properties were directly impacted by the February and March 2022 storms and floods will receive council rates relief for the 2022–23 financial year.
For more information on eligibility, visit:
www.service.nsw.gov.au/northern-rivers-rates-relief