After the super storm hit the Hunter on Tuesday, many financial institutions have stepped forward to offer help.
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Natural Disaster Assistance
Disaster zones were announced for 12 local government areas including Cessnock, Dungog, Gosford, Great Lakes, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton and Wyong.
Local government areas declared natural disaster zones are eligible for Natural Disaster Assistance Schemes.
There are nine schemes available under the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements, including personal hardship and distress assistance.
Australian Bankers’ Association
A range of assistance packages are available from banks to help ease some of the burden faced by people who have lost homes and been impacted by the storms.
“Affected households and businesses should contact their bank as soon as possible to find out what type of assistance would benefit them,” Steven Münchenberg, Chief Executive of the ABA, said.
The support provided to customers will depend on individual circumstances and needs, options could include:
- Emergency accommodation assistance
- Offering credit card holders an emergency credit limit increase
- Deferral of home loan repayments
- Waiving charges related to the early withdrawal of term deposits
- Waiving fees to restructure business loans.
More information is available at www.doingittough.info
Waste Levy exemption
NSW Environment Protection Authority CEO Barry Buffier announced that the clean-up efforts of residents and businesses affected by recent storms and flooding in the Hunter, Lower Mid North Coast and Central Coast areas, would be exempt from waste levy charges.
“The waste levy will be waived for the next 30 days on green waste, such as fallen trees and branches and water damaged bulk waste, such as carpet and furniture,” he said.
The waiver of the Waste Levy will apply to Great Lakes, Dungog, Port Stephens, Maitland, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Cessnock, Wyong and Gosford local government areas, where councils operate their own tips.
Councils in affected areas will be putting in place local arrangements for the collection and disposal of damaged goods.
More information to come.
NAB
NAB has announced a number of relief measures to help support customers and staff, including donating up to $300,000 through the NAB Community Relief Fund.
The NAB Community Relief Fund is a recovery grants program that will be available to a range of not-for-profit organisations in affected areas, helping them clean-up and support communities in the aftermath of the storms.
Disaster relief measures are also available for storm affected customers in NSW including:
- Suspending home and personal loan repayments
- Waiving costs and charges for withdrawing term deposits early
- Waiving home loan and personal loan fees and charges
- Credit card and personal loan relief where appropriate
- Support to restructure other existing bank facilities
- Provision of support and counselling through NAB’s independent provider.
NAB is supporting staff impacted by the storms and has made crisis leave available to permanent full-time and part-time staff.
For more information visit nab.com.au/nswstorms
Beyond Bank
Beyond Bank Australia has launched a Hunter Natural Disaster Appeal to raise money to help people affected by the recent severe storms.
To help those impacted in the Hunter region, leading customer-owned Beyond Bank has kicked off a fundraising appeal with a $50,000 donation from the Beyond Bank Foundation.
It is urging others who can help, to make a donation to the Appeal at any Beyond Bank branch or call 132 585. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Beyond Bank will pass on 100 per cent of all funds raised and work with local community agencies to ensure funds go where they will have the greatest benefit.
More to come on this.
Small Business NSW
NSW Small Business Commissioner Robyn Hobbs OAM extended her support to all the small businesses impacted by the recent extreme weather conditions.
The NSW Government offers small business support through a large network of Small Biz Connect small business advisors who can assist you to work through getting your business back on track.
Dispute Resolution and Mediation services provided by the NSW Government are also available to that find themselves with a business problem following the once in a decade storm.
Contact 1300 134 359 to make an appointment with an advisor.
Telstra
Telstra announced an assistance package for its residential and small business customers who have lost services as a result of the floods.
Telstra's relief packages are determined by the nature and scale of the specific event.
Short-term measures include free call diversion.
Long-term measures include one-off credits, cancellation of a fixed phone service at the affected address, with free number reservation for up to 12 months from the date of the natural disaster and free call diversion.
Full details available, call Telstra on 1800 557 709.
Disaster Welfare Information Centre at Cessnock City Council
A Disaster Welfare Information Centre has been set up at Cessnock City Council for residents who are experiencing hardship as a result of the floods.
The service is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday by visiting council’s administration building, 62-78 Vincent Street, Cessnock or call 4991 7649.
Alternatively, the service is happy to do home visits if you are unable to travel. The service is being co-ordinated by the NSW Disaster Welfare Service and can offer people assistance with items such as food, clothing and referral to assistance services.