Council raises alarm after flood grants denied

FOLLOWING the record-breaking floods which hammered the region in May, impacted residents were instructed by the NSW Government’s Reconstruction Authority to apply for Disaster Relief Grants.

According to MidCoast Council, the Authority is now refusing some grant applications due to homes being classified as within a flood zone.

Council says this is despite the Authority “working closely for months with the residents” to assist with applications.

“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,” said MidCoast Mayor Claire Pontin.

Other residents, the Mayor said, are being denied access to grants because they do not have a Certificate of Occupancy.

“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,” Mayor Pontin said.

According to Council, residents have been advised they now need to apply for a Home Repairs Grant that provides a maximum of just $25,000 and has stricter limitations.

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.”

A spokesman for the NSW Reconstruction Authority told News Of The Area the agency is “working closely with residents impacted by the May floods to ensure they can access the most appropriate support”.

“The Disaster Relief Grant (DRG) is designed to help eligible residents make their homes safe, secure and habitable.

“Applications may be declined where they do not meet the criteria, including income limits, insurance coverage, damage not caused by the event, or where a property is assessed as a high natural hazard risk.

“Where someone is not eligible for the DRG but may qualify for the $25,000 Home Repair Grant, the RA will contact them directly and transfer their application with consent.

“The Home Repair Grant can be used for essential repairs or relocation to a safer location.

“Our priority is ensuring eligible residents receive timely and appropriate assistance.

“To support this, the Recovery Coordinator met with MidCoast Council on Monday to identify ways to streamline approvals and strengthen collaboration throughout recovery.”