A specialist support group to co-ordinate council-to-council assistance has been reactivated to help NSW councils and communities impacted by the continuing flood devastation.
NSW Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock said the Local Government Emergency Recovery Support Group was instrumental in ensuring offers of help from non-bushfire affected councils reached communities devastated by the bushfires in 2019-20.
“As the devastation of the weekend’s deluge becomes clear, this support group will help co-ordinate council-to-council assistance to communities devastated by flooding,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The 2019-20 bushfires were an example of the spirit of generosity in the local government sector, with non-affected councils coming forward in their droves to help communities in need,” she said.
“With 34 local government areas declared natural disaster areas from the flooding, I am once again calling on councils in a position to help communities in need to come forward. Likewise, I am also calling on those flood-affected councils who need help to come forward and register their needs.
“We can then match these calls for help with councils in a position to offer assistance and get council staff and equipment on the ground in flood-affected communities.”
The NSW Government is also urging people who would like to donate to take advantage of the official partnership with the national not-for-profit charity platform GIVIT.
“We have continued our partnership with GIVIT who were instrumental during the bushfires by linking donated items with communities who needed them most,” Mrs Hancock said.
“We are asking people who wish to donate to contact GIVIT to ensure that local charities are not inundated with donations.
“Office of Local Government Council Engagement Managers are also contacting flood affected councils to determine what is needed.
“From past experience we know that these communities will need help with debris and food waste removal, removal of mud from homes, street sweeping, road and fencing repairs, cleaning up parks and sporting grounds, and management of stock on roads.
“I have no doubt that councils will rally behind other councils as we respond to and recover from these devastating floods.”
Councils requiring help and councils in a position to offer assistance can contact the Local Government Emergency Recovery Support Group on
recovery@olg.nsw.gov.au.
Individuals looking to donate can access further information from https://www.givit.org.au/severe-storms-and-flooding.
