Disaster assistance is now available for local councils in South Australia following the severe weather, heavy rainfall and flooding between 21 January and 2 February 2022 that caused significant disruption to communities and key transport infrastructure routes.
Assistance is being provided for 14 local government areas in northern, central and western parts of the state through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has welcomed the Government assistance, having seen first-hand the carnage this flooding has caused roads across Grey.
“I have been working with councils, State MPs and communities to identify how we tackle the huge damage caused by severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall related to ex-Tropical Cyclone Tiffany,” he said.
“The confirmation that councils will be able to access funds to repair the damage will lift a weight off their shoulders and they can now confidently get about the job which in a number of councils will run into the millions.
“I have been particularly pleased with the work of Minister McKenzie at Federal level who turned the DRFA application from the SA Government around in 72 hours and assisted in getting the RAAF transport planes to deliver food north of Glendambo when the road was cut.
“Ministers Tarzia and Wingard and the Premier at State level have all thrown their support behind the submission and the emergency response in the north of the state.
“This event has caused significant disruptions to communities and key transport infrastructure routes in the north with the Stuart Highway cut at Glendambo and the Indian Pacific and Ghan railways cut in eighteen places isolating Coober Pedy and communities that source supplies there. The major outback roads have all been closed as well.
“We continue to stand side by side with South Australians who have been impacted by this severe weather event and we are ready to provide additional assistance measures once further recovery needs assessments have been undertaken by the state.
For more information about the National Recovery and Resilience Agency go to www.recovery.gov.au
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 02 6277 4967 Feb 8 2022
