As of Tuesday, 34 local government areas in NSW - including Cessnock - had been declared natural disaster areas.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), including:
- help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged
- support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
- concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
- freight subsidies for primary producers, and
- grants to eligible non-profit organisations.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said although the disaster is still underway, the NSW Government is already looking ahead to the recovery and ongoing assistance.
"NSW is experiencing the most significant storm and flood event that we have seen in decades, with widespread destruction affecting countless communities," Mr Elliott said.
"We have worked quickly to declare disasters in 34 local government areas. This assistance activates practical and immediate supports for communities, primary producers, small businesses, not-for-profits and councils.
"We will stand side by side with our communities over coming weeks and months as we work through the significant recovery that lays ahead of us."
Visit service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88 to apply.
Meanwhile, major flooding continues along the Wollombi Brook at Bulga where river levels are peaking, while moderate flooding is possible along the Wollombi Brook at Wollombi Tuesday night.
The Wollombi Tavern has cancelled this weekend's Carp Cleanout Competition and its Easter long weekend country music campout.
"As our grounds are swallowed by rising floodwaters, it will be some time before we can allow campers to set up once the waters do recede," a post on the tavern's Facebook page said today.
"Our last few years have seen extremes in all areas - drought, bushfires, a global pandemic and now the floods, and we know we are not the only ones in this great country to experience this.
"We have learnt resilience, seen extraordinary acts of human kindness and heroism amongst the community, and we will pick up and carry on.
"Our thoughts are with everyone stranded, wherever you may be and hopefully you can all stay safe and dry. Onwards and upwards!"
ROAD CLOSURES
The following local roads are closed as of Tuesday, March 23:
- Congewai Road, Congewai (closed at Sanctuary Road)
- Cedar Creek Road, Cedar Creek
- Ekerts Road, Pokolbin (south of Broke Road)
- Lomas Lane, Nulkaba
- Old North Road, Rothbury (Wine Country Drive to Sweetwater Road)
- Richmond Vale Road, Richmond Vale
- Lovedale Road, Lovedale (at railway overpass)
- James Lane, Sawyers Gully
- Watagan Creek Road, Laguna
- Dairy Arm Road, Laguna
- Murrays Run Road, Laguna
- Yango Creek Road, Laguna
- Upper Yango Creek Road, Laguna
- Great North Road, Wollombi (closed at Wollombi Tavern)
- Milsons Arm Road, Wollombi
- Narone Creek Road, Wollombi
- Paynes Crossing Road, Wollombi
- Cessnock Road, Testers Hollow
Motorists are reminder to never drive through flood water. Stay tuned to Cessnock City Council's website for updates on road closures.
THIS WEEK'S FORECAST
The rain appears to have eased in Cessnock, and the seven-day forecast is looking somewhat spectacular.
- Wednesday: 17-28, sunny
- Thursday: 15-28, mostly sunny
- Friday: 14-26, mostly sunny
- Saturday: 15-27, mostly sunny
- Sunday: 14-25, mostly sunny
- Monday: 14-23, possible shower
- Tuesday: 14-23, possible shower