Thousands of mainly older residents of Tweed relocatable home estates have become eligible for the Nationals in Government’s Back Home flood grant, following a successful cross-party campaign to change the rules, Tweed Nationals MP Geoff Provest has announced.
“One of the highest concentrations of mobile home parks in the Tweed is in Chinderah and that was also the hardest hit area north of Murwillumbah,” Mr Provest said.
“The original guidelines provided for a $15000 grant for property owners and a $5000 for tenants, but park residents don’t neatly fit into either category.”
Mr Provest said that with support from Lismore Labor State Member Janelle Saffin, he convinced the Government to expand eligibility so flood affected residents of caravan parks and retirement villages can claim the $20,000 owner occupier grant if their home belongs to them or the $5000 tenant grant if they are renting.
“That also means for the first time that tenants with a lease agreement in a dwelling that has been divided into multiple self-contained residences, will be able to apply for the $5,000 tenants’ grant,” Mr Provest said.
“The bottom line is that when you have a good government that listens and good local MPs who put people before politics, good results follow quite quickly,” Mr Provest concluded.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery said everyone’s circumstances are unique and it’s important that all residents in these eight flood-affected LGAs can access the same support, regardless of their living arrangements.”
“We have changed the guidelines through consultation with residents and local MPs so that more people can receive financial support to repair their properties and replace essential household items.” Ms Cooke said.
More than 4,600 applications, totalling $65.2 million, for the Back Home Grant have been approved since the payment went live on 20 April.
For more information about flood support, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88, visit www.nsw.gov.au/floods or speak to Recovery Centre staff.