NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements
The NSW Government provides a range of financial and non-financial support to assist communities to recover from the impacts of disasters through the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements. This includes support for individuals, small business, primary producers, local councils and not-for-profit organisations.
Information for local councils
The NSW Disaster Assistance Guidelines (NSW DAG) provides information on the specific measures that are available.
The NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements and related guidelines (PDF 871.81KB) are consistent with the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 (DRFA).
On 1 November 2018, the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 (DRFA) came into effect replacing the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). The DRFA are the Commonwealth’s arrangements for providing financial support to states and territories for expenditure on relief and recovery measures for natural disasters and terrorism incidents. The key DRFA reform changes affecting NSW and local councils relate to the Restoration of Essential Public Assets, i.e. road and bridge type assets.
Restoration of Essential Public Assets
Councils impacted by a natural disaster that may be declared, should contact their regional administering agencies Transport for NSW and Public Works Advisory offices to:
- notify the administering agencies of the scope of Emergency Works – within 24 hours wherever feasible (or within 72 hours)
- advise the administering agency of the estimated extent of Immediate Reconstruction Works and to seek agreement for the scope of these works – as soon as possible.
Irrespective of whether a council opted-in or opted-out of the interim NSW Day Labour and Co-Funding Arrangements, all councils must comply with the eligibility and evidence requirements which are outlined in the NSW Natural Disaster Essential Public Asset Restoration Guidelines (PDF 1.41MB) for any disaster declared after 1 November 2018. The restoration guidelines are consistent with the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
All declared eligible disaster are listed on the NSW Government website.
Claim submission
Applications for Restoration of Essential Public Assets must be compiled by the council/claimant using Form 306.
Use the below form for all claims relating to declared eligible disasters from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
For all applications relating to declared eligible disasters in the period 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021, please use the below Form 306.
For all applications relating to declared eligible disasters in the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020, please use the below Form 306.
Guidelines and factsheets
- NSW Disaster Assistance Guidelines (DAG) 2021 (PDF 871.81KB)
- NSW Natural Disaster Essential Public Asset Restoration Guidelines (PDF 1.41MB)
- Introduction – Restoration of Essential Public Assets factsheet (PDF 305.42KB)
- Evidence – Restoration of Essential Public Assets factsheet (PDF 376.82KB)
- Sub-categories – Restoration of Essential Public Assets factsheet (PDF 159.81KB)