State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson has written to the NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, calling on the NSW Government to enact as a matter of urgency natural disaster assistance measures to landholders in the Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley local government areas (LGAs) in light of the impacts of recent bushfires.
Mr Williamson said a natural disaster declaration is an important first step in offering support for local communities under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements which are jointly funded by the NSW Government and Commonwealth Government.
“I am seeking the same level of disaster assistance that was recently extended to Kempsey, Mid-Coast, Port Macquarie, Kyogle and Tenterfield and Inverell local government areas in response to the impacts of bushfires,” Mr Williamson said.
“My electorate has seen a Section 44 fire emergency, along with several other bushfires, the most recent being at Nymboida, with two emergency warnings issued this week resulting in significant firefighting operations to bring it under control to protect property,” Mr Williamson said.
“Earlier this month firefighters spent several days trying to contain a large fire in Evans Head and crews have been called out to contain numerous other fires across parts on my electorate including at Lawrence and Glenreagh.
“The fires have burned many hectares across the Clarence and Richmond valleys with landowners impacted so activating immediate disaster recovery assistance is essential to help those who have been directly affected and are suffering personal hardship.
“I offer my gratitude to all emergency service personnel who are out there fighting fires to protect our local communities.”
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