DCS Live updates listing block

Following intense weather, affected beaches – and the conditions of those beaches – will have changed. This includes changes to how beaches look, as well as changes to how rips and water may behave. While conditions will mostly return to normal over time, we urge people to remain safe and pay particular attention to the conditions at the beach.

Learn more about coastal erosion and beach safety.

As you begin cleaning up your property after a storm, it’s essential to take precautions to protect your health and safety. Flood-affected areas can pose serious risks, so please keep the following tips in mind:

Health and Hygiene

• Avoid contact with any floodwater whenever possible—it may be contaminated with sewage or harmful chemicals.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces and items that have come into contact with water.
• Discard any food, medicines, or household items that may be contaminated or water damaged.

Personal Protection

• Wear protective gear such as waterproof boots, gloves, and eye protection during clean-up.
• Cover any cuts or wounds, wash your hands frequently, and use mosquito repellent to prevent bites and infections.

Water Safety

• If a ‘boil water’ alert is issued in your area, follow it strictly to avoid waterborne illness.

Look After Yourself

• Stay hydrated and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
• Don’t overexert yourself—clean-up can be physically demanding, so pace your efforts.

By following these steps, you can help ensure your clean-up is as safe and healthy as possible. If you’re unsure about any safety measures, check with NSW SES or NSW Health.

After rain and storms, humidity and damp can cause mould to grow. To reduce the risk of mould-related health problems, it’s important to take action to prevent mould growth:

• Open doors and windows to dry out the area and allow in sunlight and fresh air.
• Reduce humidity by limiting the number of humidifiers, indoor plants and unflued gas heaters.
• Where possible, repair the sources of water and damp.

To remove mould:

• Wipe down surfaces using detergent or vinegar diluted in water (4 parts vinegar to 1 part water).
• For stubborn mould on items that cannot be discarded, use diluted bleach solutions (250mls of bleach in 4 litres of water). Wear protective equipment, including PVC gloves, and ensure the area is well-ventilated. Vinegar from previous cleaning attempts should be cleaned away as vinegar and bleach are unsafe to mix.
• Ensure surfaces are dried completely once cleaned.
• Absorbent materials such as carpet and mattresses may need to professionally cleaned or replaced if contaminated. Local councils can help direct residents to dispose of rubbish and other waste. Find your local council website.

Learn more about how to safely clean-up after a flood or storm.

When it is safe to do so, take photos and videos of your home, business and belongings if damaged by storms. This will help with insurance claims.

A free community bus is available for Croki residents this week to get access to services and support at the Taree Recovery Centre, running from Croki Ferry Wharf to the Taree Recovery Centre. Details below: 

• When: Thursday 19 June
• Pick up: 9:30am at Croki Ferry Wharf
• Return: 2pm from Taree

Before you start repairs to your home or business there are some practical steps you can take to help make your home more flood resilient. 

These changes can help reduce damage and repair costs in future floods and help you return to your property more quickly. 

From raising power points to using water-safe resistant floors, small changes can make a big difference. When planning your repairs please keep a few things in mind including: 

• Take photos of the damage—this helps with planning and insurance
• Hire qualified tradespeople—especially for electrical and plumbing work
• Keep receipts for all materials and work—this helps track costs and supports warranty claims 

Visit practical ways to make your home flood resilient for more information and access to a detailed Design Guide with practical examples of specific design techniques that may improve the resilience of your home.

Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) are available to provide clean-up assistance to residents who have been impacted by the East Coast Severe Weather event.

DRA crews can assist with:

• removal of flood impacted furniture to the kerbside
• removal of flood impacted carpet and plaster walls in accordance with insurance requirements
• general sorting of flood impacted household items
• general debris clean-up (i.e. piling of green waste, chainsaw operations, and other disaster waste)
• property ‘muck out’ (i.e. removal of built-up flood sediment)
• fenceline clearing.

To request assistance, call 1300 372 287, or email operation.locke@disasterreliefaus.org.

Following intense weather, affected beaches – and the conditions of those beaches – will have changed. This includes changes to how beaches look, as well as changes to how rips and water may behave. While conditions will mostly return to normal over time, we urge people to remain safe and pay particular attention to the conditions at the beach.

Learn more about coastal erosion and beach safety.

Check your hay

Hay shed fires can occur when hay has become moist.

Spontaneous combustion happens when moist hay heats up. If enough air (oxygen) is present the moist hay may get hot enough to ignite, with fire then spreading through the stack or shed.

Remove hay that has been wet through flood waters or rain to reduce the risk of fire and further infrastructure damage. Learn more about preventing hay shed fires after flooding.

Spoiled feed

Water-damaged bales should not be used for animal feed due to risk of mould and botulism.

Hay, silage, and grain spoiled by flood waters should be inspected to ensure it does not pose a health risk to livestock.

Learn more about how to repurpose spoiled forages into a useful resource like mulch or compost.

Visit Local Land Services for more information and resources for primary producers after a flood. 

We're urging people who want to help communities affected by the NSW East Coast Severe Weather not to collect, send or drop donations into regions. Unsolicited donations can hamper recovery efforts. If you want to help, please consider donating through one of the registered appeals below:

• GIVIT.org.au
• Vinnies NSW
• Australian Red Cross

Former NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens has been appointed as the Recovery Coordinator for the Hunter and Mid-North Coast, as clean-up and recovery work begins.

Activating the Recovery Coordinator role early in the recovery process, along with recovery centres, and other support measures, is key to providing assistance to impacted communities as quickly as possible.

Mr Owens will commence the role from 29 May 2025 and will be based out of Taree. 

Applications for individuals and households impacted by the East Coast Severe Weather event are now open.

Eligible individuals will receive a one-off payment of $180, or up to $900 per household, to cover essential costs such as food, clothing, medicine and emergency accommodation.

For more information and to apply, please visit the Service NSW website. 

NSW Farmers is encouraging all flood affected landholders to report damage through an official government survey to help target disaster assistance for their region. 

This includes:

• infrastructure and machinery damage
• loss of livestock
• loss of crops or fodder.

Filling out the short survey will give the NSW Government a clear understanding of the impact caused by flood across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, to help identify what support the agricultural sector needs to recover. 

After a disaster, you may be more vulnerable to scams and cybercrime.

Scammers may pretend to be an insurance company, charity group or government employee. 

Some tips to stay safe:

• Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails or text messages asking you to take action.
• Do not disclose personal information, share your screen, reveal codes sent to you, or share pins or passwords if you are not 100% certain who you are speaking with.

Learn more or report a scam or cybercrime. 

In response to the devastating floods and storms that have impacted communities, the Federal Government is stepping up support for those affected. Two key financial assistance programs—the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) are being expanded to provide urgent relief.

What’s New?

Eligible residents in several Local Government Areas (LGAs) can apply now for these payments.

Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)

The AGDRP is a lump sum payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child who have been directly affected by NSW East Coast severe weather and flooding.

Check eligibility and information on the Services Australia website.

Applications are open until 25 November 2025.

• Eligible LGAs:
  • Bellingen
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Dungog
  • Kempsey
  • Maitland
  • Mid Coast
  • Nambucca Valley
  • Port Macquarie-Hastings
  • Port Stephens

Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA)

The DRA provides short-term income support to help people who have lost income due to the disaster. This support is now being extended to even more communities.

• Newly eligible LGAs for DRA:

  • Armidale
  • Bellingen
  • Central Coast
  • Cessnock
  • Clarence Valley
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Lake Macquarie
  • Maitland
  • Muswellbrook
  • Nambucca Valley
  • Newcastle
  • Port Stephens
  • Singleton
  • Upper Hunter
  • Walcha

  Check eligibility and more information.

Residents are being warned to watch out for ‘disaster chasers’ who target communities recovering from disasters for financial gain.

Disaster chasers often offer clean-up or debris removal services, requesting payment upfront in cash and leave the job poorly done or incomplete.

Identifying a disaster chaser:

• Insurers will not send a tradesperson or builder to a property or premises without notifying and providing you with details.
• If in doubt, ask for identification such as a builder’s licence or driver’s licence, and ring your insurer to check.

Learn more about how to identify and deal with a disaster chaser.

Residents who believe they may have encountered a disaster chaser should get in touch with their insurer. 

An Insurance Hub will be operational at the Taree Leagues Sports Club from Tuesday, 26 May for residents seeking more information from their insurer, including support making claims. 

After a flood, humidity and damp can cause mould to grow. To reduce the risk of mould-related health problems, it’s important to take action to prevent mould growth:

• Open doors and windows to dry out the area and allow in sunlight and fresh air.
• Reduce humidity by limiting the number of humidifiers, indoor plants and unflued gas heaters.
• Where possible, repair the sources of water and damp.

To remove mould:

• Wipe down surfaces using detergent or vinegar diluted in water (4 parts vinegar to 1 part water).
• For stubborn mould on items that cannot be discarded, use diluted bleach solutions (250mls of bleach in 4 litres of water). Wear protective equipment, including PVC gloves, and ensure the area is well-ventilated. Vinegar from previous cleaning attempts should be cleaned away as vinegar and bleach are unsafe to mix.
• Ensure surfaces are dried completely once cleaned.
• Absorbent materials such as carpet and mattresses may need to professionally cleaned or replaced if contaminated. Local councils can help direct residents to dispose of rubbish and other waste. Find your local council website.

Learn more about how to safely clean-up after a flood or storm.

Farmers with deceased livestock following the recent floods can request help with safe animal disposal through the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA).

Community members can also report deceased livestock found in public spaces.

Call the AASFA hotline for assistance on 1800 814 647. Open daily, 8 am – 6 pm (extended hours in place).

The discovery of deceased animals can be distressing - especially for livestock owners and those directly affected. AASFA is working with local councils, contractors, and other agencies to locate and remove carcasses as quickly and safely as possible. 

If you have been impacted by the floods and recent East Coast severe weather and need emergency accommodation:

• From Tuesday 27 May onwards you can:
  • visit a Recovery Centre - more information available.
  • call Service NSW 13 77 88

We are here to support you every step of the way to help you get back on your feet.

During flood recovery, stay safe by avoiding contact with floodwaters and handling debris carefully. Wear gloves and protective footwear. If water looks polluted or smells bad, don’t enter it.

Flood mud can be left in place on gardens or lawns. If it smells bad, looks oily, or contains asbestos, dispose of it safely at a licensed landfill.

Homes built before 1990 may contain asbestos. If asbestos is disturbed, stay elsewhere until it’s removed by a licensed professional. If you must handle it, wear a P2 mask and gloves, and double-bag the waste securely.

For more information and advice on safe recovery and managing waste, visit the NSW EPA website. Stay safe and look after each other.

As you begin cleaning up your property after flooding, it’s essential to take precautions to protect your health and safety. Flood-affected areas can pose serious risks, so please keep the following tips in mind:

Health and Hygiene

• Avoid contact with floodwater whenever possible—it may be contaminated with sewage or harmful chemicals.
• Clean and disinfect all surfaces and items that have come into contact with floodwater.
• Discard any food, medicines, or household items that may be contaminated or water damaged.

Personal Protection

• Wear protective gear such as waterproof boots, gloves, and eye protection during clean-up.
• Cover any cuts or wounds, wash your hands frequently, and use mosquito repellent to prevent bites and infections.

Water Safety

• If a ‘boil water’ alert is issued in your area, follow it strictly to avoid waterborne illness.

Look After Yourself

• Stay hydrated and take regular breaks to avoid fatigue.
• Don’t overexert yourself—clean-up can be physically demanding, so pace your efforts.

By following these steps, you can help ensure your clean-up is as safe and healthy as possible. If you’re unsure about any safety measures, check with NSW SES or NSW Health.

NSW Reconstruction Authority and partner agencies have opened Recovery Centres in key locations impacted by the East Coast Severe weather event.

Residents can visit a Recovery Centre for practical recovery advice and support. 

See below for times and locations.

Taree Recovery Centre

Location: Manning Uniting Church, 29-35 Albert Street, Taree

Open:

• Monday 7 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Tuesday 8 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Wednesday 9 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Thursday 10 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Friday 11 July: 10am - 4:30pm

Kempsey Recovery Centre

Location: Kempsey Showground, 19 Sea Street, West Kempsey

Open: 

• Monday 7 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Tuesday 8 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Wednesday 9 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Thursday 10 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Friday 11 July: 10am - 4:30pm

Macksville Recovery Centre

Location: 39 Princess Street, Macksville.

Open:

• Monday 7 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Tuesday 8 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Wednesday 9 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Thursday 10 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Friday 11 July: 10am - 1pm

Recovery Assistance Points will also operate at the following times and locations:
 
Belmore River Recovery Assistance Point

Location: Belmore River Hall, 615 Right Bank Road, Belmore River

Open:

• Tuesday 8 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Wednesday 9 July: 10am - 4:30pm
   

Location: Coopernook School of Arts Hall, 12 Macquarie St, Coopernook

Open:

• Thursday 10 July: 10am - 4:30pm
• Friday 11 July: 10am - 4:30pm

NSW SES will advise when it is safe for residents and businesses to return to flood-impacted areas. Once you receive the all-clear, please follow these important safety steps:

Before Entering Your Property:

• Check for structural damage—look at walls, windows, and the roof.
• Be cautious of contaminants like asbestos.
• Ensure electricity and gas are turned off before entering.
• Use a torch (not candles or lighters) to inspect inside.

Electrical & Gas Safety:

• Have a licensed electrician inspect any power points, appliances, or hot water systems exposed to floodwater.
• Gas appliances and bottles must also be checked before use.

Clean-Up Safety:

• Wear boots, gloves, and protective clothing.
• Watch for slip, trip, and fall hazards.
• Discard any food or items that came into contact with floodwater.
• Only use clean utensils and personal items.
• Keep a supply of fresh drinking water.

Important Reminders:

• Stay in your area—sightseeing can delay recovery and put lives at risk.
• Avoid fallen powerlines.
• Check on your neighbours—some may need help.

The Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA) has extended the operating hours of its emergency hotline to better support landholders needing urgent animal welfare assistance.

Hotline: 1800 814 647
Now available daily from 8am to 6pm

If you call outside these hours, please leave a message and a team member will return your call as soon as possible.

Sandbags that have been in contact with floodwater need to be disposed of. Sturdy gloves should be worn when handling wet sandbags as they can contain chemicals, waste and diseases.

Councils have been advised that sand from emptied, unused sandbags or sand stockpiles may be able to be used for coastal protection works or applied to other land.

Contact your local council to find out how to dispose of your used and unused sandbags.

Local councils are leading the management of disaster waste, supported by Public Works and the Environmental Protection Authority.

• Waste services for disaster waste (flood and storm) vary across the 19 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
• Residents should contact their local council to confirm what disaster waste services are available for their property.
• Bulky waste kerb side collection may be available in some areas or self-hauling to waste facilities may be required.
• Emergency Services will be on hand to help move waste from homes to the kerb in some areas.
• In LGAs offering kerb side disaster waste collection, residents are encouraged to separate white goods and mattresses from other flood debris.
• Please wear protective clothing when cleaning or touching flood-damaged items or material.
• Floodwater and mud can contain objects and pollutants that are harmful, including: garbage, chemicals, debris, sewage, germs such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. 

If there is any risk that waste contains biological or chemical hazards or asbestos contamination, please contact the Environmental Protection Authority on 131 555 for advice.

If you’re experiencing financial hardship due to the NSW East Coast severe weather event, a range of services and support such as financial hardship assistance may be available from your bank.

Visit Australian Banking Association and contact your bank for more information and options available to help you recover. 

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is working closely with councils to help communities clean-up following the NSW East Coast severe weather event.

The EPA has waived the NSW waste levy for 17 Local Government Areas (LGAs).  Residents in the areas hit hardest by the storm can dispose of flood-affected items at landfill sites without having to pay the waste levy fee for the next three months.

The Waste Levy Exemption applies to the following local government areas:

• Bellingen
• Central Coast
• Cessnock
• Clarence Valley
• Coffs Harbour
• Dungog
• Kempsey
• Lake Macquarie
• Maitland
• Mid Coast
• Muswellbrook
• Nambucca Valley
• Newcastle
• Port Macquarie-Hastings
• Port Stephens
• Singleton
• Upper Hunter

For more information about the Waste Levy Exemption and management of waster following flooding, visit the EPA website.

Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of people’s goodwill during a natural disaster by setting up fake fundraising pages or posing as legitimate charities.

Follow these tips to avoid fundraising scams and ensure your donations will assist impacted communities:

• Check credentials: Only donate to registered charities with a charitable fundraising licence.
• Avoid unsolicited requests: Be wary of phone calls, emails or social media messages asking for donations.
• Research before you donate: Use official channels like the ACNC Charity Register and Verify NSW. 

GIVIT has been contracted by the NSW Government - find out what’s needed and how to donate here.

Report a scam or suspicious activity to Scamwatch and NSW Fair Trading or call NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

Support for support for people in eligible Local Government Areas (LGAs) who have lost income as a direct result ofNSW East Coast severe weather and flooding will soon be available.

Claims will open at 2 pm local time on Monday 26 May 2025 and can be made online until 21 November 2025. More information will be available soon.

Visit Services Australia to find out more and apply. 

Disaster assistance has been extended to Armidale, Muswellbrook and Walcha Local Government Areas, under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Find more information on disaster assistance

GIVIT has partnered with the NSW Government to manage donations of essential goods and services for people impacted by severe flooding in the NSW Mid North Coast, Central Coast and Hunter regions.

The best way for you to help people and communities recover from this event is to donate through GIVIT. 

100% of the publicly donated money they receive is used to purchase essential goods needed by people impacted. They also buy vouchers and other items locally, wherever possible, to support local businesses.

You have the power to help provide emergency relief to people affected by flooding in NSW through GIVIT.

Visit GIVIT.org.au to:

• see exactly what’s needed by people affected by this disaster
• donate goods that have been requested
• donate money to aid this recovery

To offer your offer your services or volunteer, visit your local NSW SES unit.

🚨 Reminder - please do not send or drop unrequested donations into impacted areas, as this can hinder recovery efforts.

When a Natural Disaster Declaration has been made, initial support for individuals includes 

• immediate financial assistance (including small cash payments and direct material aid to cover food, clothing, personal items and emergency accommodation)
• grants for low income, uninsured households to replace essential items
• grants for low income, uninsured households for essential structural repairs to homes

Grant applicants' income and assets are tested to ensure they meet eligibility criteria (broadly equivalent to the Age Pension test).

Disaster Relief Grants

Disaster Relief Grants support those most in need and least able to return their homes to a safe and habitable condition after a disaster. The grants act as a safety net for the most vulnerable people in our communities, to help them in their recovery and to return to a basic standard of living. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria to receive the grants.

Crisis and mental health support

Specialist clinicians can be contacted by calling the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support, please call 13YARN Australia on 13 92 76

General health support

For free health advice anytime day or night, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

General support services

Vinnies

Vinnies can provide food, clothing and financial assistance for those who need it most following the flood.  

• Phone: 13 18 12
• Website: https://www.vinnies.org.au/

Australian Red Cross

Australian Red Cross can provide practical help and resources to use before during and after emergencies.

• Phone: 1800 733 278
• Website: https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/

Salvation Army

Salvation Army can provide emergency relief including meals and emotional support. Their recovery teams can assist with grants and emotional care to those impacted.

• Phone: 13 72 58
• Website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/

Legal Aid

Legal Aid can provide free legal help for those affected by a disaster, including insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, financial hardship, and government disaster grants.

• Phone: 1800 801 529
• Website: https://disasterhelp.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/

Support for organisations

Financial support is available for small businesses, non-profits and primary producers, including:

• concessional interest rate loans to small businesses and primary producers
• concessional interest rate loans and grants to non-profit organisations
• assistance to sporting and recreation clubs
• loans to non-profit organisations
• freight subsidies for primary producers.

More than 33 public schools will be temporarily closed from 20 May 2025 due to flooding in parts of the Mid North Coast, Central Coast and Hunter regions.

Parents and carers have been and will be updated by their schools, which continue to be their first source of advice. 

Importantly, schools do not offer minimal supervision when schools are temporarily closed due to flooding. 

Visit the Department of Education website for information for schools that are closed. 

If you were impacted by the recent NSW East Coast severe weather and need support through donated goods or services, please visit GIVIT to find an organisation in your area that can assist you.

GIVIT has been contracted by the NSW Government to manage donations of essential goods and services for people affected by disasters, and ensures people get exactly what they need, when they need it.

Disaster assistance has been announced for the Bellingen, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, MidCoast, Nambucca, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Singleton and Upper Hunter. Local Government Areas (LGAs) following the impacts of severe weather, including heavy rainfall.

The assistance measures announced will support councils and their communities to meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items.

Find out more 

The NSW Government is supporting landholders impacted by the floods through its Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area program (AASFA).

For urgent requests for stock assistance, including animal assessment, veterinary support or emergency fodder, call the AASFA emergency hotline at 1800 814 647.

The AASFA emergency hotline is operating 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

Let family and friends know that you're ok or check to see if your loved ones are safe with the Australian Red Cross Register.Find.Reunite.

Register now.

Warnings help protect you by encouraging quick, protective actions based on ongoing hazard monitoring. Knowing what different alerts mean can help you make faster, safer decisions.

Get to know the Australian Warning System and plan what you will do at each level.

Drivers and passengers are advised to check Live Traffic NSW  for the most up-to-date road information and avoid non-essential travel in affected areas.

For the latest information and updates on public transport, including train services, visit Transportnsw.info.

Avoid contact with floodwater as much as possible to reduce the risk of injury, sickness and infection. Floodwater can contain raw sewage, chemicals and other contaminants which can make you sick. Wear safety equipment including boots, gloves and eye protection for any clean-up activities and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

Find advice from NSW Health on how to stay safe around floodwater.

Stagnant water from floods can become mosquito breeding sites. Mosquitoes can spread a number of viruses that cause disease in humans. It is important to take steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Find out how to reduce the number of mosquitoes surrounding your property and how to prevent mosquito bites from NSW Health. 

The Personal Hardship Assistance Grant for individuals and families, announced by the Albanese and Minns Governments after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, provided emergency financial assistance of $180 for eligible individuals and $180 per eligible dependent (up to a maximum of 4 dependents) for essential costs such as food, clothing, medicine, and emergency accommodation. This grant has now closed.

If you need further support, please see our pinned post on ongoing community support and services.

Call triple zero (000) in an emergency or life-threatening situation.

Government services

• Revenue NSW: If your home or essential household items were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, you may be eligible to apply for a Disaster Relief Grant (for low-income earners).
  Ph: 1300 069 550 - Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm
• Services Australia: Residents and businesses impacted by the severe weather can access disaster payments and support if you’ve lost income as a direct result of the Tropical Cyclone Alfred storms.
  Ph: 180 22 66 -Monday to Friday, 

General support services

• Vinnies (St Vincent De Paul): Vinnies can provide food, clothing, furniture and financial assistance for those who need it most following the cyclone.
  Ph: 13 18 12
• Australian Red Cross: Provide practical help and resources to use before during and after emergencies.
  Ph: 1800 733 278
• Salvos: Emergency relief payments may be available for people affected by severe weather impacts.
  Email: disasters@salvationarmy.org.au

Legal & Financial Support

• Legal Aid:Free legal help is available for those affected by a disaster, including insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, financial hardship, and government disaster grants.
  Ph: 1800 801 529
• Rural Financial Counselling Service Northern Region: Free, unbiased, independent, confidential and expert financial counselling support to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses.
  Ph: 1800 344 090

Business Support

• Service NSW Business Concierge: A dedicated Business Concierge at Service NSW provides ongoing and personalised support for businesses.
  Ph: 13 77 88 -8am to 5pm Monday to Friday

Mental Health

• Disaster Recovery Clinicians: Disaster Recovery Clinicians provide free mental health support and linking into other services via face to face, of phone call appointments.
  Ph: (02) 6620 2878, Email: NNSWLHD-DisasterRecoveryTeam@health.nsw.gov.au
• Rural Adversity Mental Health Program: Have useful fact sheets around adversity and disasters and have staff available across the North Coast for support.
• Rural Aid Counselling: Rural Aid counsellors are based across Australia and farmers, family members and their employees can access this free service.
  Ph: 1300 175 594
• Reboot Rural:Wellbeing coaching specialised for farmers in distressing situations.
  Ph: 1800 344 090

24/7 Phone Support

• North Coast Health Connect: Provides confidential medical advice from registered nurses, with no out of pocket costs. Can connect you to a GP if needed.
  Ph: 1800 198 888
• Medicare Mental Health Phone Line: For advice, information and connection.
  Ph: 1800 595 212
• Lifeline: Free, 24 hours telephone crisis support.
  Ph: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: Available 24/7 for free and confidential counselling.
  Ph: 1300 22 4636
• Kids Helpline: Free, private and confidential phone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.
  Ph: 1800 55 1800
• 13YARN Australia: 13YARN is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander crisis support line.
  Ph: 13 92 76
• 1800RESPECT: 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line
  Ph: 1800 737 732
• NSW Mental Health Line: Staffed by trained mental health professionals for advice and referrals.
  Ph: 1800 011 511

The NSW Reconstruction Authority will launch three new Community Outreach services next week to ensure communities on the Mid North Coast and in Northern NSW continue to get the help they need after Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Mobile Recovery Outreach services can be found at the following locations and times next week:

• Dorrigo – Dorrigo Community Hall, 36 Hickory St, Dorrigo
  Tuesday 1 April from 10am to 4pm
• Bellingen – Bellingen Citizens Centre, 29-31 Hyde St, Bellingen
  Thursday 3 April from 10am to 4pm

Recovery Assistance Points will also operate at the following location and time next week:

• Chinderah – Chinderah Scout Hall, 2A Chinderah Rd, Chinderah
  Wednesday 2 April from 9am to 5pm
• Tweed South Community Hall – Corner Heffron Street and Minjungbal Drive, South Tweed Heads
  Monday 31 March to Wednesday 2 April from 9am to 5pm

The NSW Government is responding to several fish death events in waterways in Northern NSW as the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred linger.  

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and local councils have received reports of major fish death events in the Richmond, Clarence and Macleay catchments.

The fish deaths are the result of a series of Hypoxic water events, which occur when floodplain vegetation dies, and organic material is washed into waterways during flooding.

Read more about Hypoxic water events and the EPA response to the fish deaths.

Community members are encouraged to report any fish deaths or water quality concerns to the Fishers Watch phoneline on 1800 043 536.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority has helped more than 5680 people in Northern NSW get back on their feet after Tropical Cyclone Alfred through its Recovery Assistance Points and outreach services.

Residents can continue to visit a Recovery Assistance Point (RAP) for practical recovery advice and support.

• Lismore: Southern Cross University, Military Road, East Lismore, Room V1.19.
  Monday 24 to Friday 28 March from 9am to 5pm
• Tweed: Tweed South Community Hall – Corner Heffron Street and Minjungbal Drive, South Tweed Heads
  Monday 24 to Friday 28 March from 9am to 5pm
• Woodburn: Woodburn Memorial Hall, 127 River Street, Woodburn
  Tuesday 25 March from 12pm to 7pm
  Wednesday 26 March from 9am to 3pm

The Reconstruction Authority has already visited Kyogle, Ocean Shores, Mullumbimby, Murwillumbah, Byron Bay, Coraki, Woodburn, Wardell, Dorrigo, Bellingen and Nana Glen. More visits are planned and will be announced very soon.

Following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, affected beaches – and the conditions of those beaches – will have changed. This includes changes to how beaches look, as well as changes to how rips and water may behave. While conditions will mostly return to normal over time, we urge people to remain safe and pay particular attention to the conditions at the beach.

More information on beach safety

If you were impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and need support through donated goods or services, please visit GIVIT IT to find an organisation in your area that can assist you.

GIVIT has been contracted by the NSW Government to manage donations of essential goods and services for people affected by disasters, and ensures people get exactly what they need, when they need it. 

If you’re experiencing financial hardship due to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a range of services and support such as financial hardship assistance may be available from your bank.

Visit Australian Banking Association and contact your bank for more information and options available to help you recover. 

The Insurance Council of Australia is now encouraging tradespeople such as electricians, builders, plasterers and roofers to assist with recovery and rebuilding efforts following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Qualified builders and tradespeople can register their interest, and provide details of their expertise, and availability on the Insurance Council of Australia portal. 

Disaster-affected communities in Mullumbimby, Kyogle and Coraki will have access to Recovery Outreach and Service NSW Mobile Service Centres for help with Tropical Cyclone Alfred grants, payments and financial support, replacement of lost or damaged documents (such as birth or marriage certificates, driver licences, photo cards and Fair Trading licences and permits), and to apply for hardship payments free of charge.

Open from Wednesday 19 March from 9am to 3pm

• Mullumbimby – Mullumbimby Civic Hall, 55 Dalley St, Mullumbimby

Open from Thursday 20 March from 9am to 12pm

• Kyogle - The KMI Room, Kyogle Council, 1 Stratheden Street

Open from Thursday 20 March from 1.30pm to 4pm

• Coraki – Richmond Valley Council, Coraki Hub, 1/121 Richmond Terrace

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is available as a lump sum payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children who have been affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The payment is now also available in the local government areas of Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Kyogle and Richmond Valley.

The AGDRP has already been activated for Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Tweed as well as the two locations of Yamba in the Clarence Valley LGA and Lillian Rock in the Kyogle LGA.

For information on eligibility and claiming processes, visit Services Australia or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance.  

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is working closely with councils in Northern NSW to help communities clean-up in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The EPA has waived the NSW waste levy for 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs).  

The EPA also secured an exemption from the Queensland waste levy for disaster waste generated within the Tweed, Byron, Lismore, Ballina, Richmond, and Kyogle LGAs.

For more information about waste management from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred please visit the EPA website

Mobile recovery outreach will be undertaken by the Reconstruction Authority at the times and locations below. Note: please check back here as more locations are likely to be added.

This is in addition to the mobile community outreach previously announced, including those scheduled for this weekend:

Saturday 15 March

• Wardell – Pod Village, Bath Street, Wardell Recreation Ground, from 11am to 1pm

Scheduled for next week:

Monday 17 March

• Yamba – CVC Yamba Community Hall, 45 Wooli Street, Yamba, from 3pm to 5pm

Wednesday 19 March

• Coutts Crossing – CVC Coutts Hall, 7 Armidale Rd, Coutts Crossing, from 3pm to 5pm 

Residents can visit a Recovery Assistance Point (RAP) for practical recovery advice and support.

In response to community need, several new RAPs have been added and the opening dates of some existing RAPs extended.

Commencing on Tuesday 18 March until Wednesday 19 March from 9am to 5pm:

• Maclean – Maclean Seventh Day Adventist Church, 39 Church St, Maclean

Commencing on Thursday 20 March until Friday 21 March from 9am to 5pm:

• Grafton – Grafton Showground, The Barn, 208 Prince Street, Grafton NSW 

The below locations have been extended until Friday 21 March open from 9am to 5pm:

• Lismore – Southern Cross University Military Road, East Lismore, Room V1.19 - Map (PDF 1.01MB)
• Tweed South Community Hall – Corner Heffron Street and Minjungbal Drive, South Tweed Heads

• Ballina Surf Club – 65 Lighthouse Parade, East Ballina

  The Coffs Harbour RAP is now closed.

After a flood, humidity and damp can cause mould to grow. To reduce the risk of mould-related health problems, it’s important to take action to prevent mould growth:

• Open doors and windows to dry out the area and allow in sunlight and fresh air.
• Reduce humidity by limiting the number of humidifiers, indoor plants and unflued gas heaters.
• Where possible, repair the sources of water and damp.

To remove mould:

• Wipe down surfaces using detergent or vinegar diluted in water (4 parts vinegar to 1 part water).
• For stubborn mould on items that cannot be discarded, use diluted bleach solutions (250mls of bleach in 4 litres of water). Wear protective equipment, including PVC gloves, and ensure the area is well-ventilated. Vinegar from previous cleaning attempts should be cleaned away as vinegar and bleach are unsafe to mix.
• Ensure surfaces are dried completely once cleaned.
• Absorbent materials such as carpet and mattresses may need to professionally cleaned or replaced if contaminated. Local councils can help direct residents to dispose of rubbish and other waste. Find your local council website.

Learn more about how to safely clean-up after a flood or storm.

Fact sheets providing information and support services for communities in Ballina Shire, Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Tweed Shire are now available, along with advice for returning to properties, clean up and recovery.

Access available information from our Resource Hub. 

The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) is now available as a lump sum payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children who have been affected by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

For information on eligibility and claiming processes, visit Services Australia or contact the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 for claims assistance.  

The effects of Cyclone Alfred have caused coastal erosion across beaches in Northern NSW.

Please exercise caution along these coastlines, as the sand can be unstable and pose serious risks. Residents should avoid these dangerous areas. Do not walk or play near the eroded edges as this may result in cliffs collapsing causing serious injury.

Visit NSW SES to learn more about coastal erosion. 

Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of people’s goodwill during a natural disaster by setting up fake fundraising pages or posing as legitimate charities.

Follow these tips to avoid fundraising scams and ensure your donations will assist impacted communities:

• Check credentials: Only donate to registered charities with a charitable fundraising licence.
• Avoid unsolicited requests: Be wary of phone calls, emails or social media messages asking for donations.
• Research before you donate: Use official channels like the ACNC Charity Register and Verify NSW.

GIVIT has been contracted by the NSW Government - find out what’s needed and how to donate here.

Report a scam or suspicious activity to Scamwatch and NSW Fair Trading or call NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

If your business has been impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, resources and guidance are available to assist you with your business recovery. Use the Small Business Commissioner's guides for actions to take over the next days, weeks and months ahead, including understanding the insurance claims process to assist getting your claim processed smoothly. 

Understand your rights and responsibilities under a retail or commercial lease agreement, or contact the NSW Small Business Commissioner's Customer Service Team on 1300 795 534. 

Stagnant water from floods can become mosquito breeding sites. Mosquitoes can spread a number of viruses that cause disease in humans. It is important to take steps to protect yourself from mosquito bites.

Find out how to reduce the number of mosquitoes surrounding your property and how to prevent mosquito bites from NSW Health. 

Commencing Thursday 13 March, mobile recovery outreach will be undertaken by the Reconstruction Authority at the locations and times below. Please note: this information is subject to change, with more locations to be rolled out based on community need.

13 March 2025

• Dorrigo -  Dorrigo Community Hall, Hickory St, Dorrigo, from 11:00am to 1:00pm
• Ocean Shores - Ocean Shores Community Centre, 55 Rajah Rd, Ocean Shores, from 11:00am to 1:00pm
• Kyogle - Kyogle KMI, 6-8 Stratheden St, Kyogle Entry via Roxy Lane, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm
• Mullumbimby - Mullumbimby Civic Hall, 55 Dalley St, Mullumbimby, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
• Bellingen - Uniting Church Hall, Cnr Hyde & Ford Streets, Bellingen, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

14 March 2025

• Coraki - Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, Shop 1 - 121 Richmond Terrace, Coraki, from 11:00am to 1:00pm
• Nana Glen - Nana Glen Community Hall, 26 Grafton St, Nana Glen, from 11:00am to 1:00pm
• Murwillumbah - Murwillumbah Civic Centre Auditorium, 10-14 Tumbulgum Rd, Murwillumbah, from 11.00am to 1.00pm
• Woodburn - Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, 123-125 River St, Woodburn, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm
• Byron Bay - Marvell Hall, 37 Marvell St, Byron Bay, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

15 March 2025

• Wardell - Pod Village, Bath Street, Wardell Recreation Ground, from 11:00am to 1:00pm

The Albanese and Minns Governments are today announcing emergency financial assistance to help residents in the State’s north-east severely impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The jointly funded package will provide emergency financial assistance of $180 for eligible individuals and $180 per eligible dependent (up to a maximum of 4 dependents) for essential costs such as food, clothing, medicine and emergency accommodation.

The Personal Hardship Assistance Grant for individuals and families is part of a range of support aimed at helping people recover.

To be eligible for this payment individuals must reside in one of the declared affected Local Government Areas (AGRN 1198). 

Further, individuals must have:

• Experienced a power outage of 48 hours or more or
• Been subject to evacuation orders (Category red emergency warning) 

Applications will open on Wednesday 12 March and more information can be found on the Service NSW website. 

Individuals who live or work in communities directly affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred may be eligible for up to 13 weeks of income support in the following 17 Local Government Areas - Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glen Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Mid-Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond, Tenterfield and Tweed as well as the locality of Lord Howe Island, including any islands within a 3 Nautical Mile radius.

Check eligibility on the Services Australia website and claim online through myGov or call the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66. Applications will open at 2pm local time, Tuesday 11 March. 

View the media release here. 

Residents can use Essential Energy’s outages page to search for up-to-date information on power outages in their area.

Information is also available regarding the latest Cyclone Alfred clean up and restoration updates, along with tips for staying safe.

In the event of fallen power lines the community should always assume they are live and very dangerous and should report them to Essential Energy on 132 080.

Commencing Tuesday 11 March, community outreach will be undertaken (weather permitting) by the Reconstruction Authority and partner agencies, visiting key locations to understand community needs and share important information.

Residents can visit a Recovery Assistance Point (RAP) for practical recovery advice and support. 

The services available at RAPs will include NSW Reconstruction Authority, Service NSW, Services Australia, Revenue NSW, NSW Health, Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, Rural Aid, Insurance Council of Australia, Legal Aid, Australian Red Cross, St Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army, Disaster Recovery Chaplaincy Network, Anglicare.

RAPs will open from Thursday 13 March at the below times and locations. These central locations were selected to ensure easy access for residents.

Opening from Thursday 13 - Friday 21 March from 9:00am to 5:00pm:

• Lismore – Southern Cross University Military Road, East Lismore, Room V1.19 - Map (PDF 1.01MB)
• Tweed South Community Hall – Corner Heffron Street and Minjungbal Drive, South Tweed Heads
• Ballina Surf Club – 65 Lighthouse Parade, East Ballina

Opening from Thursday 13 - Friday 14 March (now closed)

• Coffs Harbour – Ex Services,  C.Ex Coffs Harbour – 2-6 Vernon Street, Coffs Harbour.

We're urging people who want to help communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred NOT TO COLLECT, SEND or DROP DONATIONS into regions. Unsolicited donations can hamper recovery efforts. If you want to help, please consider donating through one of the registered appeals below: 

• GIVIT.org.au
• Australian Red Cross
• Vinnies NSW
• The Salvation Army 

Download the Donating to communities fact sheet (PDF 60.38KB) for more information.

Recovery services have begun setting up in Northern NSW ahead of community outreach as the NSW Government appoints a Recovery Coordinator in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. As the water recedes, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is getting ready to support communities and begin recovery operations as quickly as possible.

As a preemptive step to boost recovery efforts for impacted communities, the NSW Government has appointed NSW Police Superintendent Scott Tanner as Recovery Coordinator for the region following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

When a Natural Disaster Declaration has been made, initial support for individuals includes:

• immediate financial assistance (including small cash payments and direct material aid to cover food, clothing, personal items and emergency accommodation)
• assistance with clean-up and removal of damaged household content or other debris for elderly or infirm residents
• assistance with clean-up and removal of green waste, debris or asbestos from residential properties where there are threats to public health and safety
• grants for low income, uninsured households to replace essential items
• grants for low income, uninsured households for essential structural repairs to homes

Grant applicants' income and assets are tested to ensure they meet eligibility criteria (broadly equivalent to the Age Pension test).

Disaster Relief Grants

Disaster Relief Grants support those most in need and least able to return their homes to a safe and habitable condition after a disaster. The grants act as a safety net for the most vulnerable people in our communities, to help them in their recovery and to return to a basic standard of living. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria to receive the grants.

Crisis and mental health support

Specialist clinicians can be contacted by calling the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511

General health support

For free health advice anytime day or night, call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222.

General support services

Vinnies

Vinnies can provide food, clothing and financial assistance for those who need it most following the cyclone.  

• Phone: 13 18 12
• Website: https://www.vinnies.org.au/

Australian Red Cross

Australian Red Cross can provide practical help and resources to use before during and after emergencies. 

• Phone: 1800 733 278
• Website: https://www.redcross.org.au/emergencies/

Salvation Army

Salvation Army can provide emergency relief including meals and emotional support. Their recovery teams can assist with grants and emotional care to those impacted.

• Phone: 13 72 58
• Website: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/

Legal Aid

Legal Aid can provide free legal help for those affected by a disaster, including insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, financial hardship, and government disaster grants. 

• Phone: 1800 801 529
• Website: https://disasterhelp.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/

Support for organisations

Financial support is available for small businesses, non-profits and primary producers, including:

• concessional interest rate loans to small businesses and primary producers
• concessional interest rate loans and grants to non-profit organisations
• assistance to sporting and recreation clubs
• loans to non-profit organisations
• freight subsidies for primary producers.

Disaster assistance has been extended to Armidale, Glen Innes Severn and Tenterfield Local Government Areas, under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

People impacted by Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred who require essential medicines, including diabetes, heart and asthma medicines, can access a limited supply without a prescription at pharmacies

For more information speak with your local pharmacy, GP; call healthdirect on 1800 022 222; or visit: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/pharmaceutical/Publications/authority-pharmacists-tc-alfred.pdf

$15 million is available to Northern NSW councils impacted by the Cyclone Alfred weather event.

Activated councils will have up to $1 million in funding made available once impacts are known, providing proactive support for communities to undertake essential immediate clean up and restoration activities.

Find out more about disaster assistance for NSW councils

Disaster assistance has been announced for the Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tweed Local Government Areas (LGAs) following the impacts of the Cyclone Alfred weather event.

The assistance measures announced will support councils and their communities meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items.

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Residents in an additional 4 Local Government Areas (LGAs) can now dispose of flood-affected items at landfill sites without incurring the waste levy fee:

• Campbelltown
• Lismore
• Northern Beaches
• Port Stephens

There are now 26 areas where the waste levy has been scrapped.

View the media release.

In order to preserve the community’s tributes, the temporary outdoor floral memorial at Bondi Junction Mall is being respectfully removed on Tuesday 23 April. Accompanying messages and cards will be collected and preserved. In time, condolence messages will be presented to the families of the victims.

Why they are being removed?

The marquee that protected the floral tribute was removed by Waverley Council on Monday 22 April and flowers will be respectfully removed on Tuesday 23 April.

In order to preserve the community’s tributes, the outdoor floral memorial at Bondi Junction Mall is being removed on Tuesday 23 April 2024 from 6am.

The families of the victims and survivors of the tragedy are aware of this decision. Waverley Council employees will undertake this process.

The most important consideration is the preservation of cards and tributes.

What happens to the flowers?

The flowers and cards will be separated. Sustainable disposal of the flower waste will be managed by Waverley Council.

What happens to the cards and other tributes including the soft toys, balloons, candles etc?

The accompanying messages and cards will be collected and preserved.  Cards and messages will be kept for archival purposes. Families of the victims will have access to view these items at a later date, if desired. This process will be subject to ongoing consultation with the victims’ families.

Decisions regarding preservation of physical mementos, such as toys, and balloons and candles are ongoing between Waverley Council and NSW Government.

Can I still leave a message of condolence?

Physical condolence pages are no longer available for signing at the Bondi Junction Floral Tribute site.

Messages can be left at Westfield Bondi Junction for the immediate future, during hours of operation.

Online messages of condolence will, along with messages written on the physical pages, form part of the official condolence record.

What are next steps on the condolence messages? Will they go to the families, will other people be able to see it?

In time, condolence messages will be presented to the families of the victims.

How do people show their respects? What are the details of the Westfield tribute space?

Online messages of condolence will, along with messages written on the physical pages, form part of the condolence record.

People can lay flowers at the Westfield Bondi Junction temporary tribute site located on Level 4 during operating hours.

How can people donate?

The NSW Government is working to meet the needs of those directly impacted by the Bondi Junction tragedy. However, we know that traumatic events like this send shockwaves throughout the community.

If you would like to show your support, community representatives have suggested making a donation to any of these organisations to help the local community stand strong.  To donate please visit:

Lifeline Bondi

Headspace Bondi Junction

This Way Up

The Junction Neighbourhood Centre

Where can people go to get support?

Victims can access support through the NSW Government’s Victims Support Scheme. Please visit the NSW Government webpage for more detailed information on support services available.

The NSW Government will continue to engage with all stakeholders to help ensure those impacted by Bondi Junction tragedy are provided with support.

icare

The state insurer, icare, has already begun processing claims and assisting those affected. icare covers the majority of employees in NSW. If you were at work and have been impacted by this incident and you need assistance with workers compensation, please call icare on 13 77 22.

If you are an employer and need assistance with your policy to support affected workers, please call 13 77 22. You can also find out more information and see FAQs.

icare is also providing additional psychological support services to assist employees and supplement the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) service provided by Westfield’s retail employers.

SafeWork NSW

Businesses may be able to access business interruption insurance, while workers may be entitled to make workers compensation claims.

Workers compensation insurance may cover lost income, along with medical and rehabilitation expenses, if an employee experiences a work-related injury, including psychological injuries.

SafeWork NSW has created a package of psychological health and safety support for businesses with fewer than 200 employees including:

• A free advice service for these employers which includes confidential one-on-one sessions with an expert on psychological health and safety.
• Free mental health training to ensure workers in these businesses have the practical knowledge and skills to support their own mental health and look out for their colleagues.

That support is available by calling SafeWork NSW 13 10 50.

Additional tools that are available include:

• The Traumatic Event Management Plan: a practical document intended to assist workplaces respond to and manage traumatic events. 
• A code of practice which provides practical guidance on how to identify and manage risks to the psychological heath of workers. 

The NSW Government is working to meet the needs of those directly impacted by the Bondi Junction tragedy. However, we know that traumatic events like this send shockwaves throughout the community.

If you would like to show your support, community representatives have suggested making a donation to any of these organisations to help the local community stand strong.

Lifeline Bondi

Headspace Bondi Junction

This Way Up

The Junction Neighbourhood Centre

A candlelight vigil, supported by Waverley Council and the NSW Government, will be held on Sunday 21 April to allow community to come together and honour the victims of the Bondi Junction tragedy.

The vigil will begin at 5.30pm on Sunday and will take place at Dolphin Court, Bondi Beach – south of the Bondi Pavilion.

The Candlelight Vigil will be live streamed on this page for those unable to attend.

There will be a one-minute silence in honour of those whose lives were lost.

Attendees are asked to bring their own candle to take part in the vigil and kindly take candles home at the end of the evening.

The NSW Government is working with Waverley Council to support this community event, including ensuring services such as counsellors and mental health first aid are available on site.  People are encouraged to catch public transport to and from the vigil.

Support and information for the Waverley community are listed at www.waverley.nsw.gov.au

General supports for the community are also available:

• Lifeline: Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.
• Kids Helpline: Call 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
• Beyond Blue: Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
• 1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or chat online.
• 13 Yarn: Call 13 92 76.
• MensLine Australia: Call 1300 78 99 78.

A temporary floral tribute is in place at Oxford St Mall in Bondi Junction, supported by NSW Government and Waverley council staff.  This is the primary site for anyone wishing to leave flowers.

The NSW Government will work with families impacted at a later date regarding a formal memorial service and a permanent memorial to honour the victims lost.

Traumatic events like community violence are distressing. Many people can have strong emotional or physical reactions. These reactions and feelings of distress are normal and to be expected. Here are some general resources and advice to assist you during these times.

Looking after yourself

After a traumatic event, it's important to look after yourself physically and mentally. This applies to those who have been directly affected by a traumatic event and also those who have been exposed to events indirectly.

• Look after your health – try to exercise and get some quality sleep.
• Avoid using drugs and alcohol.
• Stick to your daily routine. Spending time in familiar places and with people you know and trust can help ease feelings of uncertainty or anxiety.
• Talk to people you trust when you're ready. If you feel you are focusing too much on the event, let people know you’d like to change the topic and focus on something more positive.

Helping children and young people cope with traumatic events

Over the coming weeks, you and your child may be affected in many ways, as each person will react differently. Feelings of distress are normal and to be expected after a traumatic event. 

What can parents and carers do?

Caregivers and family members can help by creating a safe and supportive environment, remaining as calm as possible, and reducing stressors. Children and adolescents need to know that their family members love them and will do their best to take care of them. Reassure children that they are safe and help create a sense of security.

Talk honestly and openly about the event in an age appropriate way

• Provide truthful but simple information that will help them understand what is fact and what is fiction. There is no need to share too much detail.
• Provide children with simple, concrete answers to their questions. If you cannot answer the question, it is okay to say, "I don't know how to answer that”, “we may never know the answer to that”, “perhaps we can find someone to help us".
• Let children know they can talk whenever they are ready, ask any question they have, and that the door to is always open. Children will move at their own pace through grief just like adults do.

Provide children and young people with opportunities to express their feelings

• Encourage children and young people to talk about their thoughts and feelings – but don’t force them to. You may need to open the conversation for young children. Help children and young people to put words to feelings.
• Let them talk, write, or draw pictures about the event and their feelings.
• Validate the sadness or other feelings your child expresses, encouraging them to come to you.

Limit exposure to repetitive news reports about traumatic events

• Adults can shield young children from traumatic events by not letting them see or hear media reports or overhear adult conversations about the events.
• If older children are viewing media stories of distressing events, it is best to watch with them.

Reassure children they are safe and respond to their needs to feel secure

• Let them sleep in your room (for a short time) or sleep with a light on if they are having trouble sleeping.
• Try to stick to routines, such as reading bedtime stories, eating dinner together, and playing games.
• Help them feel in control by letting them make some decisions for themselves, such as choosing their meals or picking out their clothes.

Look out for possible stress reactions

• Watch out for signs of stress in yourself and others and seek extra support if things become overwhelming. This includes talking about your feelings.
• Pay attention to sudden changes in behaviours, speech, language use, or strong emotions.
• Contact a health care provider if new problems develop, particularly if any of the following symptoms occur for more than a few weeks: 
  • Having flashbacks (reliving the event) 
  • Having a racing heart and sweating 
  • Being easily startled 
  • Being emotionally numb 
  • Being very sad or depressed

Help Services

Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 - A 24/7 phone line staffed by mental health professionals that can direct individuals to local support services.

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 - A free, confidential service that provides online or phone counselling for children and young people.

Lifeline: 13 11 14 - 24-hour crisis support for people experiencing a crisis or suicidal distress

Headspace: 1800 650 890 - A local mental health support service for young people and their families, with a focus on early intervention.

13YARN: 13 92 76 - Free crisis counselling support for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples

Q Life: 1800 184 527 - Anonymous and free peer support for the LGBTIQ+ community.

The waste levy waiver is extended to another 10 areas to further support communities grappling with the aftermath of heavy rainfall and flooding. These local government areas (LGAs) are:

• Blacktown
• Byron
• Central Coast
• Clarence Valley
• Dungog
• Hornsby
• Lake Macquarie
• Maitland
• Mid-Coast
• The Hills

Visit the media release.

Find Flood clean-up assistance and advice.

• NSW Police have assigned a Family Liaison Officer to support each impacted family of the deceased.
• Victims can access support through the NSW Government’s Victims Support Scheme. Please see below for more detailed information.
• Westfield is providing mental health and counselling support for their staff, retailers and customers by phone, online and in person.
• NSW Health have specialist disaster-trained clinicians at Bondi Junction.
• The NSW Mental Health Line is available 24/7, with specialist staff available to speak to anyone affected by the attack. Call 1800 011 511.
• Members of the community can also contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
• Mental health services have also been activated for first responders.

The Victims Support Scheme provides counselling, financial assistance and a recognition payment to victims of an act of violence in NSW. 

Support is available through the scheme for the families of those who have lost their lives and those who have been affected by the violent acts at Bondi Junction.

What support is available?

• Counselling to help victims recover from the psychological and emotional impacts of a crime.
• Financial assistance for immediate needs to help cover urgent health, safety or security expenses resulting from the violent crime. 
• Financial assistance for economic loss to cover other expenses resulting from a violent crime. 
• Assistance to pay for funeral expenses on behalf of family members of a homicide victim.
• A recognition payment to acknowledge the violent crime. 

Who can access victims support?

The type of support available for those who have been impacted by the acts of violence at Bondi Junction will depend on their situation:

Primary victims who have been injured:

• Counselling
• Financial assistance for immediate needs
• Financial assistance for economic loss
• A recognition payment.

Secondary victims who are witnesses can access counselling.

A parent, step-parent or guardian of a child who was injured can access financial assistance for economic loss that directly resulted from the act of violence, and counselling.

Family victims (an immediate family member of a homicide victim) can access:

• counselling
• financial assistance for immediate needs
• financial assistance for justice-related expenses
• financial assistance to help with funeral expenses of the victim
• Eligible family victims may also receive a recognition payment.

A relative of a homicide victim, not considered a family victim, who is affected by the victim’s death (extended family member) can access counselling.

For more information on how to access support

A dedicated phone line for victims of the Bondi Junction incident has been established. Please call 1800 019 123 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Helpful resources

• Victims Support Scheme Quick Guide for primary victims, secondary victims and parents, step-parents and guardians of a child victim
• Family victims support fact sheet
• Understanding the Victims Support Scheme – an Easy Read Guide

Recovery Assistance Points (RAPs) have been established at:

• Thirroul District Community Centre & Library, 352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Drive
• Warrawong Community Centre, 7-9 Greene Street.

View the media release.

Visit the Recovery map to check operating hours of open recovery centres.

Disaster assistance has been extended to the local government areas (LGAs) of Blacktown, Byron Bay, Central Coast, Clarence Valley, Dungog, Gwydir, Hornsby, Lake Macquarie, Lithgow, Maitland, Mid-Coast, Oberon, The Hills and Yass Valley.

These measures will aid the recovery of communities affected by the storms and floods from 1 April 2024.

When a Disaster Declaration has been made, initial support for individuals includes:

• immediate financial assistance (including small cash payments and direct material aid to cover food, clothing, personal items and emergency accommodation, clean-ups for senior residents or homes with asbestos)
• grants for essential household contents
• grants for essential structural repairs to homes.

Grant applicants' income and assets are tested to ensure they meet eligibility criteria (broadly equivalent to the Age Pension test).

Disaster Relief Grants

Disaster Relief Grants support those most in need and least able to return their homes to a safe and habitable condition after a disaster. The grants act as a safety net for the most vulnerable people in our communities, to help them in their recovery and to return to a basic standard of living. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria to receive the grants.

Stamp duty relief for replacement of motor vehicles

Stamp duty relief may be provided on the replacement of motor vehicles written off due to a declared disaster. Visit Revenue NSW or phone 1300 139 814

Temporary accommodation

Temporary emergency accommodation may be available for those who have no other means.

Crisis and mental health support

Specialist clinicians can be contacted by calling the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511

Recovery centres

Face-to-face assistance is available at NSW recovery centres which may be established in areas where Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements have been activated. For locations visit this map of recovery centres. 

Support for organisations

Financial support is available for small businesses, non-profits and primary producers, including:

• concessional interest rate loans to small businesses and primary producers
• concessional interest rate loans and grants to non-profit organisations
• assistance to sporting and recreation clubs
• loans to non-profit organisations
• freight subsidies for primary producers.

Councils

Local councils can help direct residents to dispose of rubbish and other waste. Find your local council website for guidance. Councils may also be able to provide assistance with:

• clean-up costs
• emergency works to get eligible public assets functioning to an acceptable level, or other reconstruction works so that eligible public assets are permanently restored.

Two further recovery centres will open from Wednesday 10 April to help locals who were affected by storms and flooding – one in Windsor and one in Wilberforce.

Services at the recovery centres will include assistance with:

• assessing what financial support is available, and applying
• temporary accommodation
• legal advice
• replacement of damaged or lost ID and other government documents
• mental health.

Visit the Recovery map for address information and opening hours.

The waste levy fee has been scrapped for another 7 Local Government Areas (LGAs) where residents are cleaning up after flooding.

People in the following areas will not be charged the fee to dispose of flood-related waste and debris:

• Blue Mountains
• Camden
• Liverpool
• Penrith
• Sutherland
• Wingecarribee
• Wollondilly.

This is in addition to the Hawkesbury, Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Shellharbour and Kiama LGAs.

Two recovery centres will open from Thursday 11 April to help locals who were affected by storms and flooding.

Services at the recovery centres will include assistance with:

• assessing what financial support is available, and applying
• temporary accommodation
• legal advice
• replacement of damaged or lost ID and other government documents
• mental health.

Visit the Recovery map for address information and opening hours.

Drivers and passengers are being urged to plan their journeys to work and school, or consider working from home.

Major impacts are still being experienced across the state’s road and public transport network after last week’s storms.

For the latest traffic information and to plan your trip visit Live Traffic NSW 

The NSW Government has lifted the waste levy fee for residents disposing of flood-damaged waste in these local government areas: 

• Wollongong
• Shoalhaven
• Shellharbour
• Kiama
• Hawkesbury.

This means people will not be charged when they take materials to landfill sites (local landfill gate fee may still apply). 

The exemption applies to waste on public and private land and covers damaged building materials, furniture, gardening debris and any other flood-related products. It does not apply to recycled materials.

Recovery Centres will be established later this week in Windsor and in the Illawarra (one in North and one in South Wollongong). Mental health support and other local services will be available from organisations such as Red Cross and Service NSW.

To speak to someone on the phone about disaster assistance, call Service NSW on 13 77 88

For mental heath support, call the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511

Disaster assistance is available in the Blue Mountains, Camden, Hawkesbury, Kiama, Liverpool, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong Local Government Areas (LGAs) following the impact of flooding from 5 April 2024.

The assistance measures announced on Sunday will support affected communities as they begin clean up and recovery. 

Optus CEO has faced a Senate inquiry over the company's network outage.

The NASC says some people are receiving scam text messages claiming to be from Optus regarding yesterday's outage.

If you're concerned, message Optus on the My Optus App or call 133 937. Report scams at ScamWatch.

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Individuals and small businesses seeking compensation for the Optus outage should contact the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.

Australian Consumer Law sets out guarantees for goods and services and the rights you have when something fails to perform as expected.

Watch the video below to learn more about your rights under our consumer laws.

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Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre CEO Rachael Falk told ABC News that the outage was unprecedented. Watch the video on YouTube.

Some Optus internet and phone services are gradually being restored. 

The company said it may take a number of hours for all services to come back on line and different services may restore at different times.

No action is required by customers and services will be automatically restored.

Service NSW

• Due to the national Optus outage, some people are unable to contact Service NSW contact centre on 13 77 88.  Find alternative numbers here.
• Customers can continue to transact in person at service centres or via the website at www.service.nsw.gov.au if their internet provider is unaffected by the outage.  
• View Service NSW service status and maintenance.

• The Optus outage began this morning and tens of thousands of people across NSW – individuals and businesses – have been impacted. 

• Optus has confirmed there is a national outage impacting mobile and internet services, that they are investigating, but they have not been able to provide an estimated time of restoration at this stage. 

• The potential impacts from this outage are people, businesses and organisations which use Optus (or smaller service providers such as Amaysim, Vaya and others who use Optus) as their only telecommunication services provider.  

• For the vast majority, the outage will not impact emergency calls. Triple Zero calls work across network boundaries and are still functional if a single carrier has a failure. Communities with only Optus coverage may be unable to contact Triple Zero (000), with the NSW Telco Authority attempting to identify impacted locations. 

Optus says its is working urgently to restore its mobile, fixed internet and phone services as quickly as possible. "We understand connectivity is important and apologise for any inconvenience caused," the company said.

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MLHD palliative care stories - Maureen

[Maureen]

I wasn't feeling well and ended up in the hospital, diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

It was stage four, and it had spread.

The doctors had mentioned my case to palliative care.

They definitely are the backbone of keeping you at home in your surroundings.

They're just so caring.

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There is an increased risk of falling trees and pockets of active fire as a result of the Coolagolite Rd fire (Bega Valley LGA).

The fire remains at a Watch and Act alert.

Parts of 3 Sydney national parks have been closed.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park east of Cowan Waters, Garigal National Park and Sydney Harbour National Park north of Sydney Harbour have all had their tracks, trails and all visitors precincts closed as a precaution.

“There is no immediate fire risk inside these parks,” NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service said.

“Further closures may be put in place at short notice if the fire danger escalates.”

A bushfire continues to burn in the Cuttagee, Barragga Bay, Murrah, Bunga and Goalen Head in the Bega Valley LGA. 

If you are in the area, you should stay alert and monitor your surroundings.

For current alerts and warnings, visit NSW Rural Fire Service or download the Hazards Near Me app.

If you are not prepared to the highest level, leaving early is the safest option.

Evacuation centres have been established at:

• Bega Showground, 40 Upper Street, Bega 2550
• Narooma Leisure Centre, 100 Bluewater Drive, Narooma 2546

An evacuation centre for residents affected by the Allandale St, Kearsley has been established at:

• East Cessnock Bowling Club, Neath Street, Cessnock

The Cessnock Showground, 111 Mount View Rd, Cessnock is open for livestock.

Total fire bans are now in place for the:

• Northern Slopes
• North Western
• Greater Hunter.

With hot, dry and windy conditions, extreme and high fire danger ratings are forecast for several areas in the north of the state.

Total fire bans are now in place for the Northern Slopes, North Western and Greater Hunter areas. With hot, dry and windy conditions, extreme and high fire danger ratings are forecast for several areas in the state's north.

Today’s bushfire blog has now closed.  Keep up to date on any potential fires overnight on the:

• NSW Rural Fire Service website
• Hazards Near Me app.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has warned today’s fire conditions are representative of what’s to come over the summer, as 68 fires continue to burn across the state.

Spokewoman for the Rural Fire Service Angela Burford said as of 8pm, there were 68 fires burning and just under 30 were not contained.

“The good news is all the fires are back at advice level,” she said.

An out-of-control grass fire near Tenterfield has been upgraded to ‘watch and act’.

The fire is burning east towards Millers Lane. The NSW Rural Fire Service said residents should prepare now and follow their bushfire survival plan.

Schools with elevated bushfire risk on the NSW South Coast will be temporarily closed today due to extreme fire danger ratings being declared. The decision was made in consultation with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Parents and carers should follow the advice of Police and emergency services during periods of heightened bushfire risk.