MidCoast Council Mayor, Claire Pontin says she is astounded and dismayed that financially vulnerable local residents have been left out in the cold by being refused disaster relief grants from the NSW Government.
Following extensive flooding in May – believed to be the worst in recorded history for the region – the Mayor says impacted residents were instructed by the Reconstruction Authority to apply for Disaster Relief Grants.
“The Reconstruction Authority is now refusing some of those claims because they are classified as being in a flood zone. This is despite them working closely for months with the residents to assist with their applications,” said Mayor Pontin.
“I am astounded and dismayed that financially vulnerable people who are without safe and appropriate housing following the floods, and who have spent the last six months dealing with these dire issues, are now being told they are not eligible for the grants they were told to apply for because they are in a flood zone. That is why they were flooded in the first instance.
“Others are being denied access to these grants because they do not have a Certificate of Occupancy. This is ridiculous. The houses built in Wingham and Taree flood zones were built last century prior to modern planning laws, before the advent of Certificates of Occupancy, and prior to flood zone restrictions.”
The Mayor said the Council is in contact with the Reconstruction Authority and has been advised that affected residents need to now apply for a Home Repairs Grant that provides a maximum of just $25,000. These grants also have strict limitations, she said.
In lieu of Certificates of Occupancy, Council can issue alternate documentation.
“Within days of the flood I was asking the State Government to provide funds for house buy-backs to get these people out of the flood zone, as occurred in Lismore following their 2022 floods, but I was told that money was not available for that,” Mayor Pontin said.
“This is not good enough for our residents, who, nearly seven months on are still waiting to be able to provide their families with a safe, liveable house.
“Many of these homes have interiors that were completely destroyed, and $25,000, even if approved, will not go far. These people are in despair.”
To be successful for the new funding, residents must meet certain requirements including income tests as well as the stipulation that applicants were uninsured at the time.
“I am seeking further clarification on this situation and will be arguing strongly for a fairer outcome for these vulnerable residents.”
“I am calling for an urgent discussion with the Reconstruction Authority so that they better understand State planning laws, and to find a way through this mess,” Mayor Pontin said.
