Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

Disaster recovery assistance is being provided under the jointly funded Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The DRFA is available in the local government areas of Armidale, Clarence Valley, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha in New South Wales, and the Scenic Rim and Southern Downs in Queensland. It is important to note that the bushfire situation in both Queensland and New South Wales is considered active, and further assistance may be made available once the fires are controlled. The range of assistance available in New South Wales includes: personal hardship and distress assistance for individuals and families; support for affected local councils and state agencies to help with operational responses and restoring damaged essential public assets; concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profit organisations; freight subsidies for primary producers; and grants for eligible non-profit organisations. The assistance is administered by the New South Wales government, and anyone needing assistance should contact the New South Wales government Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800018444.