Flood recovery centres encourage locals to ask for help

FLOOD Recovery Centres on the Mid North Coast have assisted more than 9500 people in the past few weeks.

Various local and state organisations are on-hand to provide assistance with ID documentation, accommodation, legal and financial support, insurance and mental health support.

Centres have operated this past week at the Indoor Basketball Stadium on Hibbard Drive in Port Macquarie, Kempsey Showground, and 39 Prince Street in Macksville.

Former NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Dave Owens was recently appointed the Recovery Coordinator for the Hunter and Mid North Coast.

He told News Of The Area of the need “to keep this in the front of people’s minds so that they understand this is a long term process.

“We are only in the early stages of clean-up and repairs. There is no short term fix,” he said.

“It is the small things that count.

“People often say I didn’t know you could do this for me.

“We need people to provide evidence – no matter what – photograph everything.”

Local farmers are particularly encouraged to visit a recovery centre to ask for help.

Minister for Recovery, Small Business and the North Coast Janelle Saffin, said in a statement that 53 affected suburbs and localities have been added to the initial 142.

More than 31,000 people have successfully applied for personal hardship assistance and applications have now been extended until 21 July.

Red Cross shift supervisor at Wauchope Recovery Centre Libby Rooney, said there is a process of “Look, Listen, Link” to match appropriate services with individual needs.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority, Service NSW, Services Australia, local councils, Primary Industries and Regional Development, and other general and local support services, are all gathered in the one place to provide specialised support to make the process of recovery easier.

By Pauline CAIN