Natural disaster declared after heavy rain causes floods
Wednesday February 24, 2010
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These photos were taken by Hayley Francisco off Sandy Creek Bridge, on the Kidman Way south of Cobar, on Sunday February 14 following inches of heavy rainfall in the area in the two days before. At the time of the photo the water was continuing to rise, and eventually flowed over the bridge. The bridge suffered some damage from the water, with council now eligible for funding to fix it after the area was declared a natural disaster.
▪ Photo contributed
Parts of Cobar Shire affected by recent heavy rains have been declared natural disaster areas.
Torrential rain last weekend caused flooding in a number of areas, with the southern part of the shire the worst affected.
The disaster declaration means government funding assistance is now available for a number of people affected by the flooding.
State Minister for Emergency Services
Steve Whan said roads have been under-mined, damaged and even washed away in some parts in both Cobar and Central Darling shires.
“In the Cobar shire, the cost of repairs to roads has been estimated between $500,000 and $1million, with the Kidman Way bridge also damaged,” Mr Whan said.
The government will continue to assess the damage caused, with the potential for the disaster declaration to be extended.
“This natural disaster declaration means
that a range of people who have
suffered property damage, including residents, primary producers and business owners,
can seek assistance,” Mr Whan said.
“In particular the natural disaster declaration will assist the Central Darling and Cobar Shire councils with the cost of repairing this infrastructure damage,” he said.
Assistance measures in place include personal hardship and distress assistance for individuals and families whose homes and essential household items were damaged or destroyed.
Primary producers are eligible for loans of up to $130,000 at a concessional interest rate which can help replace or repair damage not covered by insurance or for “carry-on” requirements.
Transport freight subsidies are also available for up to 50 per cent of the cost of transporting livestock and fodder.
Cobar Shire Council can receive a grant to cover 100 per cent of restoration works on damaged roads.
Central Darling Shire was worst affected, with reports of more than 500km of roads damaged stretching from Ivanhoe to Menindee and White Cliffs to Tilpa, estimated to cost more than $5million to repair.
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