NSW East Coast Severe Weather - from 18 May 2025
It is important to remember that if you have sustained any damage to stock or infrastructure please report this at Primary industries natural disaster damage assessment (PiNDDA) to allow the Department to determine:
- the area the natural disaster has impacted and the scale of the event
- the severity of the impact
- the value of damage to primary production sectors and enterprises
- where and what assistance or resources may be needed.
Details of what support is currently being offered and what support services are available can be found at:
Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) Special Disaster Relief Grants - up to $75,000 Natural Disaster Relief Grants are now available to help communities recover from recent severe weather. Eligible primary producers can access an initial $5,000 by providing photographic evidence of direct damage, with the remaining funds available once valid tax invoices and proof of payment are submitted and verified. Applications are open until 4 December 2025 at 4pm.
If you are experiencing any issues completing the application form, free confidential assistance is available from your local Rural Financial Counselling Service: Southern and Central region: 1800 319 458, Northern region: 1800 344 090
Rural Landholder Grant (up to $10,000) - This grant supports the recovery of eligible rural landholders and aquaculture producers affected by the NSW East Coast severe weather from 18 May 2025.
Natural disaster declarations from financial year 2024-25 | NSW Government
Recovering from a natural disaster | NSW Government
Financial support for businesses and primary producers after a disaster - Find support to get your business back to work after a natural disaster.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) was established to proactively reduce the impact of future disasters across NSW and to help communities recover from them faster. For practical recovery advice and support following the NSW East Coast Severe Weather from 18 May 2025, please visit: nsw.gov.au/floodrecoveryupdates
Residents in the areas hit hardest by the storm can dispose of flood-affected items at landfill sites without having to pay the waste levy fee for the next three months. The Waste Levy Exemption currently applies to the following local government areas:
- Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Mid Coast, Muswellbrook, Nambucca Valley, Newcastle, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter.
The only fees people should expect are any private waste facility standard gate/entry fees. Some facilities may also be waiving these, so it is suggested to contact your local facility beforehand. Important to note that you may need to show some sort of ID to prove that you do live in one of the above affected LGAs. Many Councils are also offering kerbside pickup as an alternative.
Any permit holders struggling to pay NSW DPIRD invoices, application fees (i.e. lease renewals), etc, should contact Aquaculture Administration on 1300 603 845 to discuss an extension of time or what options may be available.
Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW (RFCS NSW) offers free, independent, confidential, and professional expert financial counselling and support to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses that are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship. Please don't hesitate to reach out to them on 1800 344 090.
Stay Afloat is a program dedicated to improving the mental health and wellness of the Australian seafood industry.
The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) exists for regional, rural and remote people and communities of NSW. They are there to inform, educate and connect people to mental health support.
The 1800 011 511 Mental Health Line is NSW Health's 24/7 statewide phone service which links people with NSW Health mental health services. It is a free service.