Following a severe storm in the Hilltops local government area on 10 February 2025, the Federal and New South Wales governments have activated disaster recovery support for affected communities.
Assistance measures that may be provided to communities through the Federal-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) include:
- Support for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation
- Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain a basic standard of living
- Grants for low income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition
- Support for affected local councils and other agencies to help with the costs of cleaning up, keeping the community safe and restoring damaged essential public assets
- Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers, and nonprofit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property
- Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister, said the funding will help the community clean up sooner and recover faster.
“Right now, communities right across Australia are preparing for, or cleaning up from, the impacts of wild weather, and we are there supporting them,” Minister McAllister said.
“In New South Wales, we are working with the State Government to ensure communities across Hilltops get the support they need to clean up and recover.”
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said the hailstorm left significant damage and the SES have been on the ground assisting the community with the cleanup.
“The New South Wales SES and emergency services have been helping the people of Harden get back to their daily lives as soon as possible,” Minister Dib said.
“Emergency services have been assisting the community to make their homes and businesses safe, ensuring they can access groceries and essential supplies, and supporting Council in the cleanup and restoration of essential public assets.
“As a result of this storm there has been a high number of calls to the New South Wales SES and emergency responders for help, and I would like to thank our volunteers and emergency workers who provided critical support to the community during this time.
“I am also pleased that NSW Reconstruction Authority staff are on the ground, providing information, advice and referrals to local services so that people get the support they need.”
