WILLIAMSON CALLS FOR ACTION ON FIRE RECOVERY SUPPORT FOR LOCAL LANDOWNERS

State Member for Clarence, Richie Williamson has written to the NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, calling on the NSW Government to enact as a matter of urgency natural disaster assistance measures to landholders in the Clarence Valley and Richmond Valley local government areas (LGAs) in light of the impacts of recent bushfres.

Mr Williamson said a natural disaster declaration is an important frst step in offering support for local communities under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements which are jointly funded by the NSW Government and Commonwealth Government.

“I am seeking the same level of disaster assistance that was recently extended to Kempsey, Mid-Coast,

Port Macquarie, Kyogle and Tenterfeld and Inverell local government areas in response to the impacts of bushfres,” Mr Williamson said.

“My electorate has seen a Section 44 fre emergency, along with several other bushfres, the most recent being at Nymboida, with two emergency warnings issued this week resulting in signifcant frefghting operations to bring it under control to protect property,” Mr Williamson said.

“Earlier this month frefghters spent several days trying to contain a large fre in Evans Head and crews have been called out to contain numerous other fres across parts on my electorate including at Lawrence and Glenreagh.

“The fres have burned many hectares across the Clarence and Richmond valleys with landowners impacted so activating immediate disaster recovery assistance is essential to help those who have been directly affected and are suffering personal hardship.

“I offer my gratitude to all emergency service personnel who are out there fghting fres to protect our local communities.”