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Central West Community Leaders Forum - 18 December 2024
Meeting summary
Members of the Central West Community Leaders Forum (CLF) met on 18 December 2024 to support progress on the delivery of the key components of the $100m Central West Recovery and Resilience Package, including the Resilient Homes Program – Central West.
Regional Transport Resilience Fund
Transport for NSW advised funding deeds for approved projects across the four LGAs have been issued to councils. Councils have sought clarification about the funding split across the LGAs and insight into the consultation and assessment process via individual meetings with Transport for NSW and with the NSW Minister for Regional Roads, the Hon Jenny Aitchison MP.
Community Assets Program (CAP)
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development advised 21 successful projects under the program were progressing, with:
- 19 projects have funding deeds executed
- 1 project has the draft funding deed awaiting execution
- 1 project is in final stage of project deliverables negotiation.
Legal Assistance Relief and Recovery Package
Legal Aid NSW advised that to date 500 flood related legal services have been provided to 211 individuals across the Central West. The Legal Aid team have also attended and provided information, advice and community legal information at 48 events across the region. Staff continue to work closely with the Resilient Homes Program Central West team.
Resilient Homes Program Central West
The Resilient Homes Program Central West opened on 28 October 2024 to accept applications from flood impacted homeowners.
As of 13 December, 150 applications have been submitted across local government areas as follows:
- Cabonne - 67
- Forbes - 52
- Parkes - 23
- Lachlan - 8
In addition, the customer engagement team had completed 160 face-to-face customer interactions, 119 outreach phone calls to homeowners, and received more than 150 enquiries via phone and email.
Eligibility assessments are underway on applications that have been received. Floor levels will be surveyed and matched with flood level information prior to home assessments being scheduled with homeowners.
The customer engagement team continues to provide ongoing outreach to assist homeowners with applications and support them through the process.
Home assessments have commenced in Eugowra.
General business
The CLF discussed the following:
- RA’s Disaster Adaptation Plans for local government areas
- Availability of land for residents who may accept a buyback offer and wish to remain in the community
- Needs of flood-impacted businesses.