Great Lakes Council has welcomed the NSW Government declaration last night that the area has been declared a natural disaster area.

“This declaration is very important and will allow Council to prepare an application for the funding of repairs to local public infrastructure sustained during this week’s severe storm” said Council’s Director of Engineering, Mr Ron Hartley.

Individual residents suffering hardship are also able to apply for funding, please phone 1800 018 444 for further assistance or visit the NSW Government website (a link is available from Council’s website Hot Topic on the storm damage).

“It will take Council some time to fully assess all areas and compile the list of damages, particularly in the hardest hit areas of Bulahdelah, Stroud, Hawks Nest / Tea Gardens and North Arm Cove” said Mr Hartley.

It’s estimated that just the repairs to Council signs will cost thousands of dollars.

Council’s Tea Gardens District Office has reopened for business today after power was restored late yesterday.  However telephone services are not working, so calls to Tea Gardens office are being redirected to the Forster Customer Service Centre.

To assist with the clean-up of fallen branches and trees, green waste collected as a result of the storm damage will be accepted free of charge from all small vehicles (cars, utes and trailers) at Tea Gardens, Bulahdelah and Stroud Waste Management facilities until further notice.

To keep up to date with any other information regarding the clean up after the storm, please go to Council’s website at www.greatlakes.nsw.gov.au