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- Emergency works - eligibile for 100% subsidy
- Restoration works - eligible for 75% subsidy.
Emergency works (100% subsidy)
Works classed as essential to the immediate cleanup of the council area as designated in the disaster declaration. This includes works to maintain public safety.
Works includes the removal of vegetation, rubbish and debris from council owned land only. It does not include the removal of materials from private properties.
Emergency works to make safe essential community assets and services also are in this category.
A 21-day time restriction applies to this category, and is calculated from the end date of the event as specified in the Natural Disaster Declaration. Works occurring after this 21-day limit are classed as Restoration Works and attract a different level of financial assistance.
Restoration works (75% subsidy)
Infrastructure works required to return the community to its pre-disaster condition.
This category attracts a funding subsidy of 75% of the cost of restoration works up to a maximum of $116,000, and 100% thereafter. Consequently, this limits the maximum contribution by council to $29,000.
Works included in this category for example are the repairs to council's stormwater and drainage infrastructure, levees, fencing, retaining walls, parks and reserves furniture and equipment etc.
Time restrictions
Commonwealth and State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements state that councils have a maximum of two financial years after the year in which the disaster occurred to complete the works and claim financial assistance for emergency and restoration works as a result of a declared disaster.
Expenditure to repair disaster damage after this time period must be met solely by council.
Funding arrangements are as follows:
The maximum payable by council for any natural disaster event is $29,000 or any part thereof, withheld in the first instance by the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA), should councils experience road and bridge damage during this event. The balance or difference, if any, between the $29,000 and RTA's damage costs is then offset against any claim processed by NSW Public Works.
The maximum payable by council in any financial year is limited to $68,000 and is withheld in the first instance on claims processed by the RTA. Accordingly, council contributions for multiple natural disaster events in any one financial year would be:
- Maximum contribution of $29,000 for first declared event
- Maximum contribution of $29,000 for second declared event
- Maximum contribution of $10,000 for third declared event
- Zero contribution for subsequent declared events.
The $240,000 threshold and $68,000 maximum contribution are subject to movement in the Consumer Price Index. Revised amounts are advised by NSW Treasury.
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