Story by The Northern Star.
Read The Northern Star’s full story here
BYRON Shire Council has been left reeling after residents in its flood-devastated townships missed out on emergency payments from the Federal Government.
Billinudgel, The Pocket, Main Arm, South Golden Beach, New Brighton, Mullumbimby, Ocean Shores and Brunswick Heads residents were evacuated for days, lost homes and cars.
The towns were declared Natural Disaster Zones, however the government has yet to trigger $1000-adult and $400-child payments through the Disaster Recovery Program to anyone outside Lismore and Murwillumbah councils.
Other services and financial assistance is available, such as $130,000 interest-free business loans, but Byron Shire mayor Simon Richardson says funds must flow to those devastated, now.
“Although the shire as a collective hasn’t been hit as badly as Lismore and Tweed, certain areas and residents within our shire have been left devastated,” Mayor Richardson said.
Those eligible for the one-off emergency payments should ring: 1802266.
Individuals should contact Disaster Welfare Services on 1800 018 444 and Businesses and Primary producers should contact the Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.
When I continued to NOT HEAR all the areas you have mentioned in all the media reports of devastating flooding, I contacted Northern Star, Justine Elliot, Facebook – Walt Secord, Tamara Smith, Prime Minister’s office for the politicians to call on their way to Mur-bah & Tweed. No one knew the program – it would have been easier to get into Fort Knox! I was just trying to bring their attention to all the other devastated areas!!
Gave the mobile number of a Northern Star journalist to a lot of devastated people at Billinudgel to ring.
They were keen to talk to the journalist. Jillian Spring