Have Your Say
The MidCoast region has taken a major step forward in its recovery from the devastating May 2025 floods, with the launch of a program to help support local recovery efforts assisting communities as they rebuild.
A $50 million Housing Support Package has been announced by the NSW Government in response to the severe storms and flooding that impacted the Mid North coast and Hunter regions in May (AGRN 1212).
The NSW and Australian governments have announced Special Disaster Relief Grants of up to $75,000 to support primary producers impacted by the NSW East Coast Severe Weather event that began on 18 May 2025
Registrations for on-site temporary accommodation pods are now available for eligible residents. To find out more or apply, visit the Taree Flood Recovery Centre or call 13 77 88 to discuss your options.
Residents and workers in all 19 impacted LGAs can now apply for up to 13 weeks of income support if they’ve lost income due to the disaster.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) has also been activated. This is a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child adversely affected by a major disaster
Recovery Grants for small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations are now available under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (cost-sharing between NSW and Australian Governments)
Eligible applicants may receive:
• up to $5,000 for immediate recovery costs
• a further $20,000 for other eligible activities including engaging tradespersons, hiring or leasing equipment, wages for clean-up and waste removal.
Disaster assistance has been activated for the 19 LGAs declared a Natural Disaster and includes the following support.
• Small businesses - concessional loans up to $130,000
• Sporting and recreation clubs - concessional loans up to $10,000
• Not-for-profit organisations - concessional loans up to $25,000
• Primary producers:
o Concessional loans up to $130,000
o Transport subsidies up to $15,000
National Emergency Management Agency
The Australian Government has put measures in place so that families and individuals affected by disasters can access resources quickly to ease the stress during the recovery phase.
For further information please visit the NEMA website.
Replacing personal documents
Service NSW can help replace many of your personal documents free of charge if they were damaged or destroyed.
This includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, licences and number plates.
Visit your nearest Service NSW centre or call 13 77 88.
Flood recovery
Visit nsw.gov.au/floodrecoveryupdates. Support is available to help communities recover safely and quickly.
Disaster Assistance Finder
Visit the Service NSW Disaster Assistance Finder.
Health & Safety
Floodwaters can pose serious risks. Follow NSW Health advice to ensure safety during cleanup, including avoiding contaminated water and using proper safety gear.
Road closures
Do not return to your premises until it is confirmed safe. Stay informed about road closures and emergency alerts via Live Traffic NSW and NSW SES
Safework NSW
Floods and other natural disasters | SafeWork NSW This page has important information for employers and workers about what to do during and after a natural disaster.
Reconnecting power after flooding
Information from Essential Energy on how to get your power back on after your property has been flooded.
It’s completely normal to experience a range of emotions following an emergency of natural disaster. This can happen not just immediately after the event, but also much later.
You might want to check in on your friends and neighbours with a friendly phone call, and if you or someone you know needs help, reach out.
The following are free services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000.
Lifeline
Provides 24 hours a day, 7 days a week telephone support for anyone experiencing emotional distress. Call 13 11 14 or visit the Lifeline website.
Farmgate Support Program
The Farmgate Support Program provides free mental health to people living and working in rural and remote communities.
It is designed to meet the needs of individuals, couples and families; whether they require short term conversations and information or ongoing formal counselling options.
Contact details below:
Phone: 0477 322 851
Email: HNELHD-FarmgateSupport@health.nsw.gov.au
Other support
These fact sheets may also help:
Let's Talk - where to find help for mental health concerns
Coping with community crisis or natural disaster
Coping with loss and change in a community after natural disaster
Service NSW: 13 77 88 (for personalised recovery help).
Legal Aid: 1800 801 529 (for free legal advice).
Disaster Response Legal Service: 1800 801 529 Specialised service of Legal Aid NSW for help with legal problems that arise after a disaster including insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, financial hardship, and disaster grants.
Emergency Accommodation: Visit the NSW Government Temporary & Emergency Housing page
Insurance support: Insurance Council of Australia provides practical information on how to navigate insurance after a disaster, visit their Help in disasters website.
Grants and payments for individuals and households: Visit the NSW government website to find out more about Financial relief and support services for eligible individuals, families and households following a natural disaster.
Download the Primary Producers services and support factsheet.
Rural Financial Counselling Service
This service provides free and impartial rural financial counselling to eligible primary producers, fishers and small rural businesses. They help identify options, negotiate with lenders, develop an action plan, help support access to the Farm Household Allowance and provide information on assistance schemes.
John Dunbar taree@rfcsnr.org.au 6551 5879 or 0448 035 143.
Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline.
Phone 1800 814 647 to request animal assessment and welfare assistance, veterinary advice and if required, euthanasia and burial.
Complete the Primary Industries Natural Disaster Damage Assessment (PinDDA) survey
This allows the Department of Primary Industries to gather, analyse and report on damage to primary industries and animals after natural disasters. This information helps a range of government agencies, industry organisations and communities understand the scale and regional distribution of the impact of a disaster on agriculture, plan for recovery activities and target resources and assistance in an area. Complete the survey.
Rural Assistance Authority
Has concessional loans or transport subsidies available for primary producers. View the subsidies available here.
Rural Aid
Has a variety of services including free confidential counselling, financial assistance, fodder domestic water and the farm army. Find available services.
Local Land Services
Have specific advice on activities land managers can do to assist in the recovery of their property following a flood. View the flood recovery information here. Agriculture & Animal Services Hotline: 1800 814 647 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) for emergency fodder, veterinary support, and more.
Special Disaster Relief Grant
(Category D Disaster Recovery Funding)
$75,000 grants for eligible primary producers and aquaculture producers impacted by the NSW East Coast Severe Weather event (AGRN 1212) for essential recovery costs.
Visit Rural Assistance Authority website for more info.
BlazeAid
BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation that works with families and individuals after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Working alongside rural families, volunteers help to rebuild fences and other structures that have been damaged or destroyed. Click here to register for help.
It's important to look after yourself and your family, this fact sheet may be helpful:
Support is now available for small businesses and non-profit organisations to help with recovery from the East Coast floods, including grants of up to $25,000 and concessional loans.
GIVIT is a national online non-profit organisation that matches generosity with genuine need.
GIVIT is contracted by the New South Wales Government to manage and coordinate offers of donations of items, money and services associated with emergency recovery in NSW.
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live, the Gathang-speaking people and pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who now reside in the MidCoast Council area. We extend our respect to elders past and present, and to all future cultural-knowledge holders.
Contact us
Email: haveyoursay@midcoast.nsw.gov.au
General enquiries - (02)7955 7777
Open Monday - Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm (excluding public holidays)
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