Flood clean-up assistance and advice

All flood-impacted households and businesses will receive clean-up assistance – including the removal of debris, mud and green waste – regardless of insurance status.

Residents can take flood-affected household items to their local landfill without worrying about the cost, with the waste levy waived in local government areas subject to natural disaster declaration.

Read more local information relevant to your area about the flood clean up.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has engaged contractors to clean up shorelines and rivers. They will also use aerial surveys to identify debris that needs to be cleared from affected areas.

For assistance with cleaning up pollution caused by the floods on a local beach or river, contact the Environment Line on 131 555 or email info@epa.nsw.gov.au

Separate waste into these groups:

• food waste (use your red lid bin first – if the bin is full, put food waste in a container on the curb side)
• hard bulk waste (furniture, carpets, mattresses)
• green waste (vegetation)
• scrap metal (whitegoods and e-waste)
• hazardous materials (gas bottles, paint, pool chemicals, unlabelled drums).

Waste levies – also known as dumping fees – have been waived in some local government areas following the floods.

Waste for satellite skip bins

Extra skip bins have been deployed to affected local government areas.

These skip bins – also called satellite skips – help add extra capacity for waste removal, and are usually accessible by road with a car and trailer.

These skip bins are only for non-rotting household waste and non-hazardous materials.

They are to be used only for mud-covered hard waste items.

Do not put any of these items in these skip bins:

• putrescible or rotting waste – please dispose only of general solid waste
• oil – please dispose of non-hazardous materials only
• paint – please dispose of non-hazardous materials only
• air conditioners or fridges or freezers
• waste that was not generated by the flooding event – please dispose of flood-impacted materials only
• fuel or other chemicals – please dispose of non-hazardous materials only.

Be careful around water and debris

• Floodwater and debris may be contaminated with sewage or other dangerous substances. Minimise contact with floodwater and wear protective clothing.
• Avoid swimming in rivers, lagoons, estuaries and beaches if they are impacted. Flood water will have washed pollutants from the streets into the storm-water system.

Protect yourself from disease

• Always wear a nose and mouth guard or dust mask when collecting and removing rotting material such as spoiled food or vegetation.
• Use personal protective equipment, including gloves, covered shoes or boots and full-length clothing to cover your arms and legs.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after participating in clean-up activities.
• If using disinfectants or other cleaners, follow safety advice on labels and do not touch your face (especially your eyes).
• If your house was built before 1987, it is likely to contain asbestos. Find out what asbestos looks like and what to do if you suspect you have asbestos waste to be cleaned up. Keep asbestos waste separated from other waste. Do not put it in red bins or skip bins, and do not leave it on a street kerb to be picked up. Do not use a high pressure water cleaner.
• All wounds other than clean, minor cuts are considered a risk for tetanus. Seek medical advice for dirty wounds or wounds where the skin has been penetrated, such as with a rose thorn or rusty nail. First aid treatment should always include cleaning the wound and using an antiseptic.
• Avoid mosquito bites by covering up while outside with loose, light-coloured clothing and covered footwear, avoiding being outdoors at dawn and dusk and applying insect repellent on exposed skin that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Be wary around buildings

• Do not enter damaged buildings or structures, unless deemed safe to do so by authorities.
• Take great care around electricity – follow the SES Electricity Safety Tips.
• Solar panels produce electricity even when power has been cut and the panels turned off at the switchboard. Read the Master Electricians Australia (MEA) information on how to be safe around solar panels or call the free MEA hotline on 1300 889 198 to find local electricians to make solar panels safe.
• Be alert to snakes, spiders, rats and other wildlife that may have taken refuge in the building, structure or furniture. 
• Wall and floor cavities should be checked for mud, debris and floodwater. If items are not completely dry, mould or mildew may develop.

• If you are concerned about fallen power lines on your property or in your area, do not approach the lines, instead call 132 080 immediately for advice and assistance. Essential Energy provides a safety checklist with tips to help keep you safe.

Look after your mental health

Please seek face-to-face emotional and trauma support after a flood through the services in these NSW Health fact sheets:

• Accessing mental health services in NSW
• Accessing mental health services in northern NSW
• Accessing mental health services in mid-north coast of NSW

After heavy rain or flooding you may find mould in your home. Read about mould and your health.

Contact your insurance company directly and take plenty of photos of any property and contents damage before removing and disposing of items. Read our insurance and legal support in a disaster guidance.

Read the Australian Red Cross guide to cleaning up.

If you see a potentially serious environmental incident, please contact the Environment Line on 131 555 or by email at info@epa.nsw.gov.au

The Environment Protection Authority has further information on handling of waste materials and hazardous materials including asbestos.

Fodder for livestock

Rural landholders affected by flooding can request Agricultural and Animal Services for emergency fodder.

Register your requests for fodder by calling the hotline on 1800 814 647. Requests can also be lodged by emailing aasfa@emergency.dpi.nsw.gov.au

The fodder can be collected once you have registered with the hotline and have been notified of your allocation.

Sheltering and injured wildlife

Native wildlife will be displaced and perhaps injured by the floodwaters. They may be on the move, looking for food and shelter.

If you see injured wildlife, call WIRES on 1300 094 737 or Wildlife Rescue Australia on 1300 596 457. 

The RSPCA also offers assistance with wildlife, as well as pets and livestock (including horses):

• send an email at mail@rspcansw.org.au, or
• call 1300 278 358.

If you find an injured animal, and it is safe to do so, contain it in a covered box in a dark, quiet place, while waiting for a rescuer or taking it to a wildlife carer or vet.

See Helping wildlife during floods for more information.

Disposing of animal carcasses

The destruction of floods can be distressing. Please seek mental wellbeing support, particularly  if you are dealing with trauma.

If you intend to dispose of animal carcasses yourself, it's important to note that:

• Onsite burial is the preferred option in most instances. Where there are large mortalities or where onsite issues, including size, soil type, water table, are problematic, disposal through a licensed landfill is usually the next option.  
• Improper carcass disposal can have significant impacts on environmental, human and animal health. Careful planning and management of disposal is important to ensure the safety of the community, other stock, the environment and to minimise the risk of disease spread.
• Poor carcass disposal can result in contamination of soil, ground water and water ways.  
• Access to poorly disposed carcasses can also allow for significant disease spread through scavengers, mosquitoes and vermin.  
• Carcass disposal should occur as soon as possible after the animal has died.   
• Animal owners and managers have a legal responsibility to ensure that disposal of carcasses does not adversely affect the environment.  

Visit Disposing of deceased stock or the Department of Primary Industries website for more information.

Fencing washed away in a flood can create a public safety hazard.

Regional landholders should contact the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647. 

Primary producers whose fencing has been damaged may be eligible for Special Disaster Grants of up to $75,000 to help with the cost of repairs. Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority for more details on 1800 678 593. 

Read more about flood support for farmers.

There is a range of grants, support and payments for people, businesses and farmers following the 2022 floods.

Find out more details about applying for support by calling Service NSW on  13 77 88 or reading:

• financial support for people after an emergency
• financial support for businesses after an emergency
• financial support for farmers after an emergency.