Brewarrina Flood Update

 The State Government declared Brewarrina Shire Council (and surrounding areas) a Natural Disaster zone on Wednesday 30 December 2009. Currently the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is the response agency for the flood. Residents can obtain help in relation to matters involved in this natural disaster.  Once the response phase is complete, the NSW SES will hand over the operations to the Local Recovery Coordination Committee. This Committee is made up of various government agencies that will be dealing directly with the task at hand to satisfy personal and community needs, and to restore services to the level where the continuing process can be managed by the local government body and the normal response agencies. The SES can be contacted on 132 500.

Local Recovery Coordination Committee Newsletter - Issue 1, 11 January 2010

Local Recovery Coordination Committee Newsletter - Issue 2, 15 January 2010

Local Recovery Coordination Committee Newsletter- Issue 3, 22 January 2010

Local Recovery Coordination Committee Newsletter- Issue 4, 2 February 2010

The Agencies Involved: 

Brewarrina Shire Council

The Council will be undertaking repairs to assets located on the road reserve. These include road pavements, culverts, bridges and signage. Emergency works will be carried out on roads to restore access to traffic where possible. Structural damage to bridges and culverts will also be assessed by Council Engineers.

A damage claim is required to be lodged by Council to gain funding to repair the roads back to their original condition prior to the flooding. Once approval of this claim has been given, Council will start repairing roads fully where identified. For any further enquiries please contact Council on (02) 6830 5100 or visit the Brewarrina Shire Council Website at www.breshire.com

Community Services

Community Services (formerly DoCS) can provide disaster relief grants to eligible individuals and families whose homes and essential household items have been damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster. Click the link below for the information package - Disaster Relief Grants for household contents and structural repairs:  http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/DOCSWR/_assets/
main/documents/DISASTER_FINANCIAL_FACT.PDF

The Community Services Disaster Recovery Centre can be contacted on: 1800 018 444 

Website: www.community.nsw.gov.au  

Primary Producers

Loans of up to $130,000 are available (subject to certain eligibility criteria), at a concessional interest rate of 2.56 per cent, for those in urgent need. The NSW Rural Assistance Authority (now part of Industry and Investment NSW) administer this scheme. Enquiries should be directed to the Authority on 1800 678 593.

Link to Scheme Documents: http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/natural-disaster-relief/loans  

Website: www.raa.nsw.gov.au    

Department of Industry and Investment NSW 

Transport freight subsidies of up to 50 per cent on the carriage of livestock and fodder are available to help primary producers. The maximum subsidy available is $15,000 per annum. Inquiries should be made to the nearest Industry and Investment NSW - Primary Industries Office (formerly Department of Primary Industries).  

Department of Industry and Investment NSW public inquiry number: 1800 814 593. 

Website: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au   

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides a network of support for people in regional and remote areas in need of practical assistance, or who would simply benefit from a listening ear or a hand of friendship (this includes emergency situations such as flooding). The Rural Chaplains are available to help organisations or individuals as required over the weeks following a natural disaster. Our role for the recovery process is to provide ongoing support i.e.  Pastoral care, emotional support and practical Assistance.

Rural Chaplains - Far West North NSW can be contacted on: 0437 965 587 

Website: www.salvos.org.au   

Rural Financial Counselling Service

The Rural Financial Counselling Service have now been receiving calls from property owners regarding information about assistance and expecting Application request in recovery stage.For further information, please call the Rural Financial Counselling Service on 02 6872 3255.

Website: www.daff.gov.au

Link to local information:  http://www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought/rfcs/counsellors/nsw  

Greater Western Area Health Service - Brewarrina Hospital

The Brewarrina Hospital will be providing support to individuals and offering information about heath issues that can affect local people over the flood period. Some issues may be: Activity of venomous snakes- particularly in the areas affected by floods and increased rain. The Greater Western Area Health Service reminds the public not to attempt to handle or go near these animals and also that they are protected species.

If you have been bitten by a snake please call 000 immediately - Click the link below for a snake bite fact sheet:  http://www.gwahs.nsw.gov.au/index.php?select=Media&option2=Release_980&search=Snake%20warning%20for%20flood-affected%20areas  

Cleaning of rainwater tanks - presents a number of occupational health and safety risks, such as working in confined spaces and it is only recommended that a tank be emptied if it has been inundated by flood water. When cleaning a rainwater tank the following recommendations should be considered:For further information contact your local council, public health unit or refer to: www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/pdf/rainwater020067.pdf  

 Flood water may have contaminated your vegetable or herb garden- Some garden produce may be salvaged and sanitizing, peeling and cooking is recommended to prevent food born illness.    

State Emergency Service (SES)

SES flood response operations continue in Brewarrina with the focus now centred on isolated rural properties in the Brewarrina Shire Area.

The SES is working closely with Local Government and liaison officers from Industry and Investment NSW regarding resupply and livestock issues in all affected areas.

For further information, click on the following flood response update link: http://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/events/14547.html

Website: www.ses.nsw.gov.au 

Emergency Management NSW

Emergency Management NSW (EMNSW) supports the State Emergency Management Committee (SEMC), State Emergency Operations Controller (SEOCon), State Emergency Recovery Controller (SERCon) and the State Rescue Board (SRB). EMNSW also provides high level policy and executive support to the Minister for Emergency Services in relation to the emergency services portfolio, including policy advice and analysis, information and correspondence coordination and liaison with agencies, including the New South Wales Fire Brigades, New South Wales Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service. This role previously was carried out by the former Office for Emergency Services. 

Website: http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/home.html   

Darling Livestock and Pest Authority

The Darling Livestock and Pest Authority have been doing aerial reconnaissance of stock and properties, conducting their own reconnaissance to help identify stock that are in trouble and without feed as well as other potential issues. The Darling Livestock and pest Authority have also been providing landholders with any assistance they may need.  

For further information call the Darling Livestock and Pest Authority. The contact is Collin Betts: 02 6839 2047.           

Website: http://www.lhpa.org.au/  

Brewarrina Police

The Brewarrina Police are currently providing a support and response role. This is primarily assisting the primary response organisations such as the State Emergency Service (SES) in issues arising where they are able to help. For life threatening emergencies, call 000 immediately.

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