The Prime Minister has visited flood-affected Taree on the NSW Mid North Coast as defence personnel and volunteers begin to assist in recovery efforts. The state opposition is also pushing for the area to be declared an official natural disaster zone, which would unlock additional grant payments for businesses and primary producers.
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00:00Whether it's coming from Canberra or just down the road, more help is making its way
00:13to the flood zone.
00:15I came from Canberra to help this community.
00:18A gentleman from the SES of WA came and told us when they gave us a bit of a hand to move
00:24some heavy items and I was in tears.
00:27That help includes the arrival of 70 Defence Force personnel in Taree and an extension
00:34of federal financial support.
00:36We are activating the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment in nine local government
00:43areas.
00:44It's a one off payment of $1,000.
00:46More people will also be eligible for 13 weeks income support and concessional loans to transport
00:52livestock and fodder.
00:54We're milking our cows, Rod has been quite kind enough that it's milked once a day here.
00:58What we know this region also needs is a proper declaration of a natural disaster category
01:02C or D.
01:04That would unlock grant payments for small business and primary producers.
01:08Without that I think the people that I've spoken to are going to feel like they're being
01:12left completely behind.
01:13When we think about the amount of taxes that are taken from insurance premiums, we think
01:17it would be important for governments to invest more in flood defences in this country.
01:22The first of five New South Wales Government Recovery Centres opened in Taree offering services
01:27to people who've lost everything.
01:29We don't have powers, no internet, nothing at all.
01:33Flood water came almost to the roof of this motel near the Manning River at Taree with a
01:39long clean up ahead.
01:40We just try to get everything out and let the council do their jobs and we do our best.
01:48This is the best of community spirit that says a lot about the Australian ethos of who
01:53we are.
01:54A spirit that needs to be matched with concrete support.
01:57Thanks for having us.