Flood Recovery
Local Lands Services - North Coast
Call 1300 795 299 to contact your Local Land Service office from Monday to Friday during business hours.
EMERGENCIES AFTER HOURS
Report animal and plant disease emergencies after hours to:
Emergency Animal Diseases Hotline - 1800 675 888
Emergency Plant Pest Hotline - 1800 084 881
https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/emergency-and-biosecurity/floods
EMERGENCY FODDER AND ANIMAL HEALTH
If you wish to register for assistance, for emergency fodder or livestock support as a result of flooding, please call the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.
Have your PIC number ready before calling, advise that Wauchope Norco has feed supplies for allocated fodder.
THE JOURNEY TO RECOVERY - Landholder Assistance
Local Land Services is committed to supporting landholders rebuild and recover. Our staff are ready to assist with speciality advice on everything from horse and livestock care post flood to pasture management, cropping information, soil health and more.
Some helpful flood resources for landholders can also be found here:
- After flood on-farm checklist PDF, 737.14 KB
- ASSFA Animal Disposal Advice PDF, 174.05 KB.
- Caring for livestock in times of flood PDF, 581.63 KB
- Pasture recovery after a coastal flood PDF, 1048.46 KB
- Horse care after floods PDF, 113.7 KB
- Managing waterlogging in crops - Northern NSW PDF, 470.01 KB
Primary producers are also encouraged to report flood-related damage including stock and fodder losses, damage to crops, pastures, fencing and other farm infrastructure through the Natural Disaster Damage Survey.
Service NSW
Clean-up assistance and disaster relief payments and grants available for people directly affected by the floods. For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods.
24 hours daily to seek assistance in relation to:
- Accommodation advice
- Support for businesses
- Clean up services
- Relevant charitable services
- Mental health and wellbeing services
- Financial assistance
- Insurance and Legal support
Storm and flood assistance for businesses
If your business premises have been damaged in the recent storms and flooding, please take photographs of the visible damage as soon as it is safe to do so, to assist in accessing support in the future.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/storm-and-flood-assistance-businesses
Disaster Assistance Finder
Find the services you need for flood recovery.
https://disasterassistance.service.nsw.gov.au/
Financial assistance
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/financial-assistance
- Disaster Recovery Payment – $1000 per adult and $400 per child if your home has been severely damaged or destroyed, or you've been seriously injured.
Immediate payment if you were adversely affected by the flood. For example:
- you were seriously injured
- you're the immediate family member of an Australian citizen or resident who died or is missing
- you're the principal carer of a dependent child who's experienced any of the above
- the flood significantly damaged your principal place of residence.
- Disaster Recovery Allowance – short-term income assistance (up to 13 weeks) if you've lost income as a direct result of the floods.
Health advice on cleaning up your household
All flood-impacted households and businesses will receive clean-up assistance – including the removal of debris, mud and green waste – regardless of insurance status.
https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/clean-and-waste
Mental Health Line
- Call 1800 011 511 if you or someone you know needs mental health advice and support. Operates 24/7.
- Visit NSW Mental Health Line for information and details of other mental health services.
Accommodation, food and household items
Free mail redirection
Australia Post is offering free mail redirection for up to 12 months to individuals and small businesses affected by natural disasters. For more information, visit Australia Post's website.
Tenants, landlords and homeowners
You can call 13 32 20 for assistance, if you're:
- a tenant or landlord whose rented property is affected by the floods
- a homeowner with a complaint about tradespeople and their flood remediation home building work
- impacted by flood related issues, such as cancelled accommodation, weddings and services.
For more information, visit Floods and Tenancy Rights and Tenants' Union Disaster Damage.
Rent and bond support
If you're unable to return to your home due to the floods and need support to enter the private rental market, you can contact the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Housing Contact Centre on 1800 422 322.
A rental bond loan and a grant for advance rent may be available.
Centrelink Financial Assistance
Disaster Recovery Payment
- $1000 per adult and $400 per child if your home has been severely damaged or destroyed, or you've been seriously injured.
Immediate payment if you were adversely affected by the flood. For example:
- you were seriously injured
- you're the immediate family member of an Australian citizen or resident who died or is missing
- you're the principal carer of a dependent child who's experienced any of the above
- the flood significantly damaged your principal place of residence.
Disaster Recovery Allowance
- short-term income assistance (up to 13 weeks) if you've lost income as a direct result of the floods.
RAA - Rural Assistance Authority
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) is ready to assist you if you are a primary producer, small business owner or not-for-profit organisation impacted by the current storms and floods.
RAA – 1800 678 593
If you are a primary producer, small business owner or run a not-for-profit organisation and you live in a declared Local Government Area you can apply for Natural Disaster Relief loans by https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/disaster-recovery-loans
If you are a primary producer in this area you can also apply for transport subsidies https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/grants/natural-disaster-transport-subsidy
Primary producers are also encouraged to report flood-related damage including stock and fodder losses, damage to crops, pastures, fencing and other farm infrastructure through the Natural Disaster Damage Survey. This helps to inform the severity and regional distribution of the damage to support targeted resources and assistance in appropriate areas.
Primary Producer Grants
Primary producers recovering from the devastating impacts of floods are receiving vital support, with Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000.
Find out more on the RAA Disaster Assistance website https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance
Flood Grant Guidelines PDF download with full details on the grant to primary producers to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of primary production enterprises.
Direct Link for Grant Application
You will need:
- Local Government rates notice, and Local Land Services rates notice; and
- latest farm business tax returns and financial statements plus Personal Tax Return of all members of the business; and/or
- may include other evidence such as quotes, estimates, photos or tax invoices.
Download paper form to print and fill in manually: Application Form Primary Producers
Small Business Grants
Grants of up to $50,000 will be available next week for small business owners and not-for-profit organisations through Service NSW.
For more information on how the RAA can assist you, please call 1800 678 593 or email us at rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au.
Telegraph Point Community Distribution Centre
Telegraph Point Community Flood Relief Volunteer Centre
7 Cooperabung Dr, Telegraph Point - call in for help or just for a chat.
Offering food, water, clothing and other necessities and services.
Co-ordination of volunteers and donations.
We now have a dedicated phone number for the Telegraph Point Flood Relief Centre at the community hall. Please call 0403749408 for any assistance.
Local Nurse
We now have a nurse working with us at the Telegraph Point Hall who can do home visits in the area to assist with
Livestock Recovery & Identification
Livestock Lost and Found Alive or Deceased form for new submissions
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFQwHdH70rPXnYrVis66pbCVjD7E8PDyoIJYjyL3UBxWuhew/viewform
Website listing livestock for identification and recovery https://www.livestockrecovery.org/copy-of-lost-and-found-livestock-li
There is also a Facebook page for assisting those that have missing and found livestock. Mid north coast horse/livestock flood recovery
https://m.facebook.com/groups/2901289216784442
Australian Defence Force
REGISTER - 0403 749 408
In Rollands Plains from Wed 31st for 5 days
30 men! - Including - plumber, electrician, carpenter. Small machinery, skid steer, bob cat.
Port Macquarie Police
Residents experiencing THEFT or PILFERING
Blaze Aid
For assistance with fencing and all farm chores!
Coming to Rollands Plains Saturday 3rd April Easter.
They can help you with anything you need.
Ring Chris Male 0418 745 994 or John Male 0488 414 368
Mud Army
https://www.facebook.com/groups/5371605596213252/
Local Contact Sam Fawcett
Flood Outreach Centre - Port Macquarie
65818444 or Pmhc.nsw.gov.au/flood-assist
Port Macquarie Flood Outreach Centre
The Hub, 143 Gordon Street,
Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sat-Sun: 9:00am - 12 noon
Easter weekend hours
Saturday 3 April and Monday 5 April: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Friday 2 April and Sunday 4 April: Closed
MOBILE OUTREACH CENTRES
- Telegraph Point - Telegraph Point Community Hall
Monday 29 March - Tuesday 13 April
10:00am - 2:00pm - Rollands Plains - Rollands Plains Community Hall
Tuesday 30 March - Monday 12 April
(Community Centre or Showground)
10:00am - 2:00pm
SES
MOBILE FLOOD RECOVERY SERVICE VISITS
The following mobile flood recovery service will be visiting the following locations between 10.00am-2.00pm.
- Wauchope - Wednesday 31 March - Wauchope Senior Citizen
- Kendall - Thursday 1 April - Kendall - RSL
- Pappinbarra - Tuesday 6 April - Hollisdale Hall
- Dunbogan - Wednesday 7 April - Laurieton School of Arts
- North Shore - Thursday 8 April - Kangaroo Park
- Long Flat / Ellenborough - Friday 9 April - Rec Grounds - Marquee
- Rollands Plains - Monday 12 April - Community Centre or Showground
- Telegraph Point - Tuesday 13 April - Telegraph Point Community Hall
- Beechwood - Wednesday 14 April - Beechwood Hall
- North Shore - Tuesday 15 April - Kangaroo Park
- Byabarra - Wednesday 16 April - Byabarra Hall
Weather advice and warnings
Resilience NSW
Disaster management agency for NSW, responsible for all aspects of disaster recovery and building community resilience to future disasters.
https://www.resilience.nsw.gov.au/
https://www.facebook.com/ResilienceNSW
Direct inquiries
- Phone: 02 9212 9200
- Email: info@resilience.nsw.gov.au
Disaster assistance (financial and other support)
- Phone Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit service.nsw.gov.au
Anglican Soup Kitchen
https://www.portanglican.com/soupkitchen
We have received an enormous outpouring of support towards our ‘Sponsor a Box’ Flood Appeal.
As our community starts to recover and assess the damage from the recent floods, we are preparing to distribute these boxes. If you have been significantly impacted, we now invite you to apply or nominate an individual or family to receive a box. All applications are strictly confidential. Please contact us if you require any assistance with your application.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council
Road and bridge closures
https://www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/Services/Community-Flood-Updates/Road-and-bridge-closures
Waste services for flood effected communities
Drop off for FREE - All waste facilities are open
Easter weekend operating hours: 8:00am- 4:00pm - Friday, 2 April to Monday 5 April
- Residents and businesses can drop-off for free any flood damaged waste.
- For large truck loads of flood damaged waste, please go to Cairncross. Small trailer/ute loads are accepted at the smaller waste transfer stations.
- Where possible, please sort your waste into the following: (These are recyclable and dropped in separate areas)
- Green waste
- White goods
- Scrap metal
- E-Waste such as computers and TV's
- Mattresses
- Household chemicals
- Asbestos should be kept separate for specialist collection. Buildings, especially those built before 1987 may contain asbestos. Find out more about Asbestos removaland contact us for assistance on 6581 8111 .
- We are receiving significant volumes of flood damaged waste so delays may be experienced.
Banks & Utilities Offering Assistance
NAB
$2,000 grants
https://news.nab.com.au/news_room_posts/2000-grants-available-to-customers-impacted-by-floods/
Support now available for NAB customers directly impacted by the current floods includes:
- Immediate access to $2,000 grants to help cover costs such as temporary accommodation, food and clothing (eligibility details available here).
- $2,000 business grants to help restart or reopen and cover the cost of damaged property, equipment, fencing – and for loss of stock or livestock. NAB business and agribusiness customer wishing to access the grants should call NAB’s dedicated team on 1300 769 650.
- Support to restructure existing business banking facilities.
- Fee waiver on terminal rental for a period of up to three months for merchants with working terminals that are no longer able to trade.
- Support and counselling for customers through NAB’s Employee Assistance Program.
This support is in addition to the previously announced disaster relief package providing a range of financial relief measures.
NAB customers who have suffered damage to their home and need assistance can call NAB Assist on 1300 308 132.
Westpac
https://www.westpac.com.au/about-westpac/media/media-releases/2021/20-march/
Westpac's emergency assistance package includes a range of options* for both business and retail customers, such as:
- Home loan customers may apply to defer repayments for up to three months.
- Credit card customers can apply to defer repayments for up to 90 days.
- Customers wishing to purchase replacement goods may apply for a personal loan at a discounted interest rate with no establishment fee.
- Waived interest rate adjustments for customers wishing to withdraw term deposits.
- Business customers may request loan restructuring with no fees incurred.
Customers who need assistance can contact Westpac Assist on 1800 067 497.
Commonwealth Bank
https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2021/03/cba-emergency-assistance-nsw-floods.html
As part of our Emergency Assistance, we can discuss a range of options, including:
- Customised payment arrangements for your home loan, credit card or personal loan.
- Waiving fees and charges.
- Temporary overdrafts, additional loans or emergency credit limit increases (subject to credit approval).
- Waiving fees and notice periods for early access to Term Deposits.
- Other individual support options may also be available to you.
- For CommInsure customers, we are able to assist with emergency accommodation if your home has been damaged.
- We can also expedite claims to CommInsure for customers seeking help through their home and contents insurance.
To access this support please visit us in branch or phone us on 1800 314 695. Further information about our Emergency Assistance is available online at www.commbank.com.au/emergencyassistance.
Telstra Assistance Package
Telstra Assistance to those who have lost services following the 1800 888 888 severe storms and major flooding across eastern parts of NSW Who this is for: • Impacted residents and small business customers.
OPTUS
If you are an Optus customer in need of help, the telco has set up a dedicated customer number specifically for flood and storm assistance. Impacted customers can call 1800 507 581, or request support via the MyOptus app or the Optus Yes Crowd online forums.
is offering a series of relief measures to customers in affected areas of NSW and South East QLD, effective immediately. Impacted postpaid and prepaid customers are eligible for the following:
- 10GB of bonus data for customers in evacuated areas (redeem by calling 1555 or speaking with Vodafone live chat)
- Data-free access to emergency websites
- Access to Vodafone’s financial hardship options
Claiming insurance - Insurance Council of Australia
The Insurance Council of Australia encourages affected homeowners to start clean-up before insurance assessors visit, without risk to their claims.
Call their hotline on 1800 734 621 if you are uncertain of your insurance details or have general questions around the claims process.
For more advice and tips, read their news release (PDF, 157KB).
Telehealth GP Appointments
Healthy North Coast GP Telehealth
https://hnc.org.au/telehealth-floods/
Free GP Consultations, phone or video 24 hours
Healthy North Coast GP Telehealth can provide:
- Information, advise, diagnosis and treatment
- Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy
- Medical certificates
- Specialist referrals
- Care summaries provided to patients, regular GP and My Health Record
Orange Sky Laundry Service
Orange Sky Australia Facebook page
(07) 3062 4811
Regular shifts at Brigadoon, North Shore, Telegraph Point, and Rollands Plains.
Over the past two weeks, our Port Macquarie teams have supported locals affected by flooding with more than 85 loads of washing across 12 shifts! A special thanks to our volunteers for doing all they can to help out their community.
https://orangesky.org.au/ Click on Find A Shift for the latest info.
Charity Organisations
RED CROSS
Use Register to let people know you are safe. Use Find to look for people you know may be affected by an emergency. Reunite is a matching process that enables us, with permission, to share details to connect family, friends and loved ones.
https://register.redcross.org.au/
Lifeline
13 11 14
Toolkit for coping with loss. Also available as a text message service - Text 0477 13 11 14
St Vincent De Paul
Emergency assistance - Food, clothing and household items St Vincent De Paul Immediate support including food and grocery vouchers, clothing,
Essentials, financial assistance, interest-free loans for household items and emotional support.
Salvation Army
Financial assistance, emotional support, information, referrals, and/or advice from The salvations Army Disaster Assistance Team.
$1,000 Rapid Relief Voucher Rapid Relief
Team A $1,000 voucher and a complimentary Family Food Box for people that lost their home
Thanks to Justine Jeffery for collating service details.
Support Your Community Hall
If you would like to donate to the hall to assist in providing help direct to the community both during the flood recovery period and as an on-going resource in our community, bank details are:
Telegraph Point Community Association Inc.
Commonwealth Bank
BSB: 062 592
Account: 10048072
You are welcome to include your name in the payment details for acknowledgements
What a fantastic resource for flood recovery. Thank you so much.
Great to have email and hard copy available for distribution