Member for Myall Lakes Steve Bromhead and Federal Member for Paterson Bob Baldwin today announced funding of $243,254 recovery assistance to Great Lakes Council for communities impacted by the January and February 2013 storms and floods.

Mr Bromhead said the assistance was being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

“The funds will reimburse Great Lakes Council for costs associated with debris clean-up from essential public assets and emergency restoration works,” Mr Bromhead said.

“The funding had been invested in restoring the One Mile Beach Footbridge, reconstructing Tuncurry Foreshore Ramp and restoring Marine Drive in Forster, in addition to other emergency services and restoration work.

“Natural disasters are always a challenge for communities to recover from, but with the NDRRA’s grant, we have made substantial recovery and invested in protecting our public assets for the future.

Mr Baldwin commended council, emergency services workers and local residents and businesses who helped with the post-flood clean up and recovery.

“The Commonwealth and the NSW governments are committed to working together to assist the Great Lakes community to recover from the impact of the January and February 2013 storms,” Mr Baldwin said.

“The NDRRA program gives councils the confidence to proactively step into recovery mode without delay, restoring communities to their pre-disaster state, with the confidence that the NDRRA program will reimburse costs associated with recovery.

“This funding helped relieve the council and its ratepayers of the burden of costs associated with natural disasters.”