The NSW Reconstruction Authority will launch three new Community Outreach services next week to ensure communities on the Mid North Coast and in Northern NSW continue to get the help they need after Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Mobile Recovery Outreach services can be found at the following locations and times next week:
- Dorrigo – Dorrigo Community Hall, 36 Hickory St, Dorrigo
Tuesday 1 April from 10am – 4pm - Bellingen – Bellingen Citizens Centre, 29-31 Hyde St, Bellingen
Thursday 3 April from 10am – 4pm
Recovery Assistance Points will also operate at the following location and time next week:
- Chinderah – Chinderah Scout Hall, 2A Chinderah Rd, Chinderah
Wednesday 2 April from 9am – 5pm - Tweed South Community Hall – Corner Heffron Street and Minjungbal Drive, South Tweed Heads
Monday 31 March to Wednesday 2 April from 9am to 5pm
The RA has helped more than 5680 people through Recovery Assistance Points and Community Outreach at Lismore, Tweed, Ballina, Maclean, Woodburn, Kyogle, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Coraki, Grafton, Coutts Crossing, Wardell, Yamba, Dorrigo, Bellingen and Nana Glen.
Services available at the Community Outreach points include help with the NSW Government’s Personal Hardship Assistance Payment and general recovery support.
Residents who have experienced lengthy power outages or evacuation orders are eligible for a Personal Hardship Assistance Payment of $180 for individuals and up to $900 for a family of five through Service NSW.
Service NSW has already distributed over $2 million in Personal Hardship Assistance payment to help people across the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW get back on their feet.
Anyone who needs support can visit a Community Outreach Pop Up or Service NSW Centre to apply. You can also apply online through Service NSW at www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/northern-nsw-storm-relief-grant-individuals-march-2025;
Small businesses and primary producers in Local Government Areas included in the Natural Disaster Declaration may be eligible for concessional loans up to $130,000 and primary producers may also be eligible for transport subsidies of up to $15,000.
Applications can be made online via the Rural Assistance Authority – https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/ndrl;. Primary producers and small businesses can also call 1800 678 593 or email rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au for help with their applications.
Information on where to find help and the assistance available, including eligibility criteria for grants and how to apply, can be found at www.nsw.gov.au/cyclonealfredrecovery;.
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:
“We are opening up these new Community Outreach pop ups to ensure people have access to the support they need when they need it the most. This is about making sure people can get back to their day to day lives as soon as possible.”
“Going through a storm like Alfred is a very traumatic thing, and recovery can often seem overwhelming. If you need help please come one of our pop up community outreach services or to one of our Recovery Assistance Points because the Reconstruction Authority is here to help.”
NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:
“While the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have passed, we know that many people are only starting their recovery journey and some have never experienced anything like the recent storms, which is why we are operating these Community Outreach pop ups in new locations so people can access support services.”
“The Reconstruction Authority has been on the ground before, during and post Alfred, and will continue working with anyone who has been impacted until the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW has recovered.”