New $56 million package to drive ongoing flood recovery for the Mid North Coast

The nearly $56.3 million package, delivered through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), targets the long-term work of cleaning up waterways, repairing environmental damage, and providing direct financial relief to local businesses.

The new funding will go towards:

• Clean up and waste removal ($26.2 million) - managed by the NSW EPA, this fund will target removing hazardous debris from riverbanks and land that requires specialised equipment.
• Environmental restoration ($8.8 million) - dedicated to repairing riverbanks (riparian zones) and coastal areas, including critical work on the Manning Point spur wall.
• Small Business and Non-Profit Grants ($5.61 million) - an increased grant of up to an additional $25,000 will be available in the coming weeks through Service NSW. These are specifically for businesses and not for profit organisations that suffered direct damage as a result of the severe weather event in May last year. It will contribute towards extraordinary clean-up, repair and restoration of damaged business premises and assets including damaged equipment, flooring and walls.
• Community recovery and resilience ($7.2 million) - support community recovery and resilience activities including Engagement and Resilience Coordinators to support councils' work with communities.
• Disaster Legal Services ($1.9 million) - will provide disaster legal services to help mitigate the economic and social impacts of flooding.
• Mental Health support ($4.2 million) mental health disaster recovery support through targeted programs.

The new funding programs will be launched in the coming weeks with more information available at nsw.gov.au/floodrecoveryupdates

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain MP said:
"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.

"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.

"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 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.

"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.

"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 Minister for Small Business, Janelle Saffin said:
"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.

"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.

"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."