AS flood waters withdraw across the Illawarra, the NSW Reconstruction Authority is on the ground, working with councils and other agencies to gain a clear understanding of the damage and coordinate the region’s recovery.

The pop-up Recovery Assistance Points (RAPs) which open on Thursday April 11, provide access to important support services for disaster-affected individuals, families, farmers and business owners to begin the clean-up and recovery process.

Attendees can access mental health first aid and meet with a range of not-for-profits, and Government and community organisations, including:

• Service NSW, including Business Concierges (at North Wollongong)
• NSW Reconstruction Authority
• Salvation Army
• Insurance Council of Australia
• Telephone interpreting services

The RAPs are located at Thirroul District Community Centre & Library, 352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Drive and the Warrawong Community Centre, 7-9 Greene Street, during the following hours:

• Thursday – 12-7pm
• Friday – 10am-4pm
• Saturday – 9am-1pm

The NSW Reconstruction Authority will assess the need for further RAPs as required.

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said flood-affected residents are encouraged to visit two Recovery Assistance Points, in the north and south of Wollongong, to access NSW Government and local government services, community organisations and welfare assistance.

“This is an incredibly challenging time for communities in the Illawarra,”Mr Lanyon said.

“It’s important that we help residents get back on their feet as quickly as possible, and one way we can do that is through face-to-face support at Recovery Assistance Points.

“This is a time when we need to come together and support those who are doing it tough, so I’d encourage anyone who needs it to get out to one of our RAPs and get help.”

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said this week the State and Australian Governments made a disaster declaration for the area, opening up access to a range of special assistance measures for flood-affected communities, provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

“Many in the community would still remember the devastation caused by the 1998 floods, which is why it’s so heartbreaking to see flooding on this scale again,” Mr Scully said.

“As a government, we’ve worked quickly to get funding to local government out the door, but we also know face-to-face support is crucial in the early stages of recovery, so we encourage anyone affected by the floods to visit our Recovery Assistance Points.

“I want to assure those affected that the NSW Government and NSW Reconstruction Authority are here to help and manage the region’s recovery.”

Anyone not able to attend the RAPs can contact Service NSW for remote assistance, with Customer Care specialists available on the phone via 13 77 88.

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