Narrabri Shire welcomes disaster assistance

Published on 03 April 2025

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Council has welcomed an announcement from the Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator Jenny McAllister and NSW Minister for Recovery the Hon. Janelle Saffin regarding disaster assistance for Narrabri Shire. 

The disaster assistance measures come after Narrabri Shire experienced widespread flooding following recent heavy rains, which saw up to 200mm fall across the Shire within a short period.  

Along with some support under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), assistance measures that may be provided include:  

  • Support for Council to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets. 

  • Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items generally provided from evacuation or recovery centres. 

  • Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living. 

  • Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition. 

  • Freight subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder. 

  • Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations and grants to sporting and recreation clubs to repair or replace damaged or destroyed property. 

  • Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe. 

Narrabri Shire Mayor Darrell Tiemens thanked the ministers for their announcement. 

“On behalf of Council and our community, I’d like to thank the Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAllister and NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin for today’s announcement. 

“This disaster assistance is absolutely crucial in helping our community in their recovery efforts and for Council as we begin the process of repairing infrastructure, including our road network, which took a battering from the substantial rainfall. 

“I would also like to thank the NSW Roads Minister, the Hon. Jenny Aitchison, who called me personally to check in on our residents’ welfare and reassure us of her support for getting our roads back up and operational. It was truly appreciated.” 

Mayor Tiemens said Council was continuing to assess damage from the rainfall event. 

“At this stage we already estimate that flooding has caused millions of dollars' worth of damage. Many roads, sealed and unsealed, were impacted from the rainfall and subsequent flooding.  

“We will undertake a full assessment of the damage once flooding recedes. 

“Several houses in Narrabri were also impacted with water through homes. The NSW Reconstruction Authority is visiting community members impacted by the storms and floods in Narrabri, providing flood recovery advice and support.” 

Mayor Tiemens also thanked emergency workers, volunteers and residents for their continued support during the past week.  

“The incredible efforts of our SES, Police, Ambulance Service, Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Service, VRA Rescue NSW, Council workers and Transport for NSW were instrumental in keeping people safe and informed. 

“I can’t thank them enough for their immense work, which continues to be ongoing.” 

For updates regarding current road closures and other information please visit:  

  • Bureau of Meteorology (including for river heights information) - www.bom.gov.au 

 

For emergency assistance during a flood or storm, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000). 

 

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