Mid North Coast communities still recovering from the severe weather of May 2025 and ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred will share in a new $56.3 million support package, jointly funded by the state and federal governments.
The funding, delivered under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), is aimed at helping communities rebuild over the long term, with a focus on environmental repair, business support and community wellbeing.
A significant portion, $26.2 million, will go towards large-scale clean-up efforts led by the NSW Environment Protection Authority, including the removal of hazardous debris from riverbanks and surrounding land. Another $8.8 million is earmarked for environmental restoration, including repairs to riverbanks and coastal areas such as the Manning Point spur wall.
For local businesses and community organisations still dealing with the fallout, $5.61 million will fund grants of up to an additional $25,000. These payments, to be administered through Service NSW in the coming weeks, are designed to help cover clean-up, repairs and the replacement of damaged equipment and premises.
Community recovery efforts will also receive $7.2 million, including support for local councils through Engagement and Resilience Coordinators. Legal and mental health services are part of the package, with $1.9 million allocated to disaster legal assistance and $4.2 million to targeted mental health programs.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said the scale of the disasters had left a lasting impact across the region.
“People across the Mid North Coast were hit hard by these back-to-back severe weather events, which caused widespread disruption and damage to homes, businesses, and the environment,” she said.
“As I said at the start of this event in May last year, recovery is a long haul; it is not days and weeks, it is months and years.”
She said the package reflects ongoing cooperation between governments and a commitment to affected communities.
“The Albanese and Minns Governments continue to work very closely together for the people of the Mid North Coast, and this support package is just another example of that.
“It delivers a range of practical, long-term assistance measures, and we will continue to stand by these communities through this recovery.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns said communities in the region were familiar with the challenges of repeated natural disasters.
“Communities across the Mid North Coast know all too well the devastating impact of floods and severe weather events like what we saw in May last year,” he said.
“We know recovery doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and requires governments of all levels to work together to ensure communities are getting the right support they need to move forward.”
He said the funding would help deliver practical support where it is most needed.
“This additional funding package will provide that practical on the ground support so the communities of the Mid North Coast can continue to rebuild their lives.”
NSW Minister for Recovery and Small Business Janelle Saffin said the package reflects what communities and local businesses have been calling for.
“I’ve been on the ground in these communities, and I know that recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. We have listened to the community dealing with the aftermath of the 2025 floods, and we are staying the distance,” she said.
“While this $56.28 million won’t fix every single issue overnight, it is a significant investment in the heavy-duty clean-up and the mental health support that people actually need right now.”
She said small businesses, in particular, would benefit from targeted assistance.
“Small business owners have been clear about what they need to move forward, and as both Minister for Recovery and Small Business, I am focused on delivering that practical support. This funding is specifically designed to help replace damaged equipment and repairing shopfronts to ensure local traders can complete their rebuilds and focus on the future.”
Further details on the rollout of the programs are expected to be released via the NSW Government’s flood recovery website in the coming weeks.
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