Council support: what assistance is available to residents impacted by flooding in NSW

Residents impacted by this month’s extreme weather could be eligible for extra government assistance – depending on which local government region you live in. See what councils are offering:

Residents impacted by this month’s extreme weather could be eligible for extra government assistance as local councils roll out varying levels of support to help with the cost of recovery.

Fee waivers and support for clearing debris off private land are among measures being rolled out by local governments in regions where flooding has destroyed livelihoods and property.

In The Hills, a support package backed by councillors this week includes waiving fees and compliance levies for construction or reconstruction works on an originally approved development impacted by the floods.

A photo of this week’s flooding.

The fee waivers also extend to section 68 applications, covering works such as water supply, sewerage and stormwater or installing of movable dwellings or temporary structures.

The council will also use discretion when it comes to enforcement to reduce the likelihood of landowners being fined for “reasonably restoring and repairing land” to pre-flooded conditions.

Hills Shire mayor Peter Gangemi, who put forward the proposal, said the toll from the flooding event had devastated many parts of the region, particularly along the Hawkesbury River.

The floods have caused extensive damage.

“Already we’ve had a number of homes and businesses inundated by water. Properties along sections of the river have had debris wash up on their shores and others have become landlocked and cut-off from road access,” he said.

“They’ve just recovered from last year’s disaster and are now reliving the same nightmare”

Hornsby councillors unanimously backed a similar support package including the same fee waiver for development and section 68 applications on flood impacted properties.

The council is also waiving fees to assist residents with piling and clearing of vegetation or debris caused by the flood.

The floods have damaged many homes.

Hornsby mayor Philip Ruddock said the region was “just at the beginning of the recovery”.

The varying support by locals is on top of federal and state assistance programs which have been announced for flood impacted households and regions.

This includes disaster payments of $1000 per adult and $400 for children, short-term income assistance, temporary housing packages, a rental support scheme and business support packages.

NewsLocal contacted councils impacted by flooding to see what support they are offering residents:

BLACKTOWN

• Free pick up and removal of flood waste for impacted residents
• The council said “any waiving or reduction of fees associated with rebuilding will be considered by council at a later date”.

BLUE MOUNTAINS

• The council has waived waste fees for residents impacted by flooding. Residents can take can take flood-generated waste to Council’s waste facilities at no cost.

CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN

• Council is providing a free, additional household clean-up for residents impacted by flooding.

HAWKESBURY

• Hawkesbury councillors have supported extending waiving fees for construction or reconstruction works for flood impacted properties until June 2023. The fee waiver is currently in place from last year’s floods.

THE HILLS

• Should a DA be submitted to Council for construction or reconstruction works on an originally approved development, which was affected by the February/March 2022 flood, the DA fees will be waived for applications lodged up until 30 June 2023.
• Should a Section 68 application approval for a structure under the Local Government Act be submitted to Council related to a flood impacted property to carry out reinstallation works impacted by the February/March 2022 flood, the application fees will be waived for applications lodged up until 30 June 2023.
• For Section 68 applications to install or operate a sewage management system on a flood impacted property to carry out reinstallation works, the application fees will be waived for applications lodged up until June 2023.
• For Section 68 applications for the approval to operate a caravan park, the application fees will be waived for applications lodged up until June 2023.
• Where possible, DAs, construction certificate applications and the like from flood impacted areas be prioritised by Council’s assessment team for any applications lodged up until 30 June 2023.
• Council will waive fees to assist residents with the piling and clearing of vegetation or debris caused by the flood, for removal by others, on private land where such access is required.
• Council will exercise its discretion – where necessary – on enforcement activities arising from landowners reasonably restoring and repairing land to its pre flood condition

HORNSBY

• For DAs submitted to Council for construction or reconstruction works on an originally approved development affected by the February − March 2022 floods, DA fees and Compliance Levy fees will be waived.
• For Section 68 applications to carry out reinstallation works on flood-affected properties, the application fees will be waived.
• For Section 68 applications for the approval to operate a Caravan Park, the application fees will be waived.
• Council will be waiving the fees for Council work to assist residents with the piling and clearing of vegetation or debris caused by the flood, and for the removal of debris by others on private land where required.

NORTHERN BEACHES

• Council is currently providing additional waste collections to flood impacted residents. These have been occurring since Wednesday and will continue across the weekend and into next week.
• Council staff have also been going door to door conducting welfare checks of residents in the worst affected areas to identify any vulnerable people who may require additional support.
• The council has been waiving a range of fees for local business for some time due to Covid, such as outdoor dining, footpath merchandising and other annual fees as well as providing some rate relief. Many of these waivers are still in place.

WOLLONDILLY

• The council is contacting impacted residents directly and offering waste assistance including waiving of tip fees where required for waste arising as a result of the recent storms and floods.
• The council said it has also implemented additional waste collection services in areas that were isolated for periods of time due to floodwaters or landslips