Community and volunteer groups will be eligible for new grants to help re-establish services impacted by the recent floods in the Northern Rivers under a $13.3 million assistance package announced by the NSW Government.
The boost will help large, medium, small and hyperlocal community and volunteer-based organisations meet the increased need for a range of services.
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest has welcomed today’s announcement, celebrating the wonderful impact this will have for local community and volunteer non-government organisations.
“Our community’s NGOs are experiencing a high demand for support while they also work to restore their services following the floods,” Mr Provest said.
“Today’s announcement is wonderful news for our local community to see our vital services receive the support they need after the damage and loss of equipment during the floods.”
Minister for Families and Communities Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the funding will be rolled out from next month and will be spent over two years to boost community-led recovery efforts.
“We know these community and neighbourhood centres are at the heart of our towns and villages delivering much needed services on the ground,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“The road to recovery is long and this funding builds on our commitment to ensure these organisations are helped so that they, in turn, can support the community with practical assistance.”
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the funding will help services in the local government areas of Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed.
“This support will help community and volunteer non-government organisations keep on-the-ground local recovery services operating where they are needed most,” Ms Cooke said.
“The additional funding will help provide family and youth support services, domestic violence and homelessness support services, supports for people with a disability and seniors, and support for local Aboriginal communities.”
Funding will be progressively rolled out from 1 July 2022. Further information on how to apply for funding is here: www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/service-providers/grants.