Disaster assistance declared for Kempsey

Published on 23 October 2023

Disaster assistance is now available for the Kempsey local government area (LGA) following severe bushfires on 16 October 2023 onwards.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

A disaster declaration is a frequently updated list of LGAs that have been impacted by a natural disaster. With a disaster declaration for their area, affected communities and individuals can access a range of special assistance measures.

Disaster declarations are issued by the NSW Government.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the bushfires caused significant damage to property and resulted in a tragic loss of life.

"This is an awful reminder of how dangerous bushfires can be, and on behalf of the Australian Government, I would like to pass on my deepest condolences to the man’s family, friends and community,” Minister Watt said.

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said communities will take time to recover and the NSW Government will be with them every step of the way.

"The NSW Government is working to provide communities with this disaster support to swiftly commence their recovery and we remain committed to its effective progress for as long as it takes,” Minister Dib said.

Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

• help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
• support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
• concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
• freight subsidies for primary producers.

For information relating to financial assistance, replacing lost documents, location of your nearest recovery centre and more, please contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit nsw.gov.au.

To apply for a concessional loan or primary producer grant, visit the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website or call 1800 678 593.

Further information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website.