Mayor thanks councils for flood support

MAYOR Digby Rayward has sincerely thanked several local councils which offered support to Dungog’s recovery efforts after the May flooding event.

The councils who offered direct support include:

· Lake Macquarie City Council: coordination of resourcing and logistical support

· Muswellbrook Shire Council: pothole and patching crews

· Tamworth Regional Council: pothole and patching crews

· Maitland City Council: access to the Mt Vincent Waste Management Facility for waste disposal

· Singleton Council: access to Mt Dyrring Waste Management Facility for waste disposal

At Dungog Shire Council’s 15 July meeting, Mayor Rayward also thanked the councils, mayors and other organisations who reached out to offer moral support or other assistance, including Willoughby City Council, Hornsby Shire Council, Blacktown City Council and Local Government NSW.

Dungog Shire has been directly impacted by three declared natural disasters this year.

“These disaster events come at a time when damage from previous years’ disasters is often still being repaired, assessed and processed, with damage compounding with each subsequent disaster,” Council said in a statement.

Mayor Rayward said the impact to the Shire’s infrastructure is still being assessed and compiled, however it currently exceeds $7 million.

“Whilst Council eventually receives funding to repair damaged infrastructure under the national Disaster Recovery Funding Ordinary Arrangements with the NSW and Australian Governments, this often takes years and immense amounts of time for Council staff to resolve,” Council stated.