Flood disaster and recovery information

The NSW Reconstruction Authority and partner agencies will open a Recovery Centre at Kempsey Showground to support residents affected by recent flooding with:

• Financial assistance
• Housing support
• Insurance concerns
• Emotional wellbeing

The Recovery Centre will continue at Kempsey Showground Monday 7 July to Friday 11 July from 10am until 4.30pm.

A Recovery Assistance Point will also operate at Belmore River Hall on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 from 10am until 4.30pm. These provide you access to a range of important recovery services including housing support, government assistance, mental health and wellbeing support as well as insurance and legal advice.

If you’re unable to attend, ring Service NSW on 13 77 88, Monday to Friday between 7am and 7pm, for recovery support.

Emergency accommodation

If you need emergency accommodation and are unable to visit a Recovery Centre, please call Service NSW 13 77 88.

Please note: Location details may change depending on conditions. Stay updated at Flood Recovery Updates

Council and local contractors have collected a significant amount of flood waste to support clean-up efforts. With disposal rates having slowed significantly, our final kerbside collection of flood waste will be Monday 30th June. 

Flood waste can then be dropped off for free at the Waste Management Centre on Crescent Head Road. Please note, waster transfer stations at South West Rocks, Stuarts Point and Bellbrook cannot accept flood waste.

What you need to do:

• Wear protective clothing when handling flood-damaged items.
• Before moving anything, please take photos of the waste and the inside of your home for insurance and future assistance claims.
  

If you have questions about flood waste, please visit our frequently asked questions page. 

Important notes:

• This service is for flood-affected waste only. Please continue to dispose of general household waste through the usual channels.
• Please note: Waste Transfer Stations at Bellbrook, South West Rocks, and Stuarts Point cannot accept flood waste.

Health & safety:

Floodwater and mud can be hazardous and may contain:

• Garbage
• Chemicals
• Debris
• Sewage
• Germs (bacteria, fungi, viruses)

If you believe the waste includes hazardous materials (like asbestos or chemicals), please contact the EPA on 131 555 for advice. 

If you are experiencing financial hardship because of the floods, Council may be able to support with the following relief measures:

One-off payment extension

Property owners can request an interest-free extension on outstanding rates and charges by calling Council directly on 02 6566 3200 from 9am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Financial hardship assistance

If you're facing ongoing financial hardship and unable to access external support, you may be eligible for help under Council’s Hardship Relief to Ratepayers Procedure. You can also complete and submit a Hardship Rate Relief Application, or call Council on 6566 3200 for a confidential discussion.

Water usage relief

If your property experienced a significant increase in water usage due to the flood, you may request to have some charges reviewed. To do this, please provide details in writing to ksc@kempsey.nsw.gov.au, or by post to Kempsey Shire Council, PO Box 3078, West Kempsey NSW 2440 

If you’ve been impacted by the recent NSW East Coast severe weather event, a range of recovery assistance is available to help you, your business or property get back on track.

Disaster recovery funding may be available for eligible individuals and businesses. Visit the visit NSW East Coast Severe Weather grants, payments and financial support page for details on grants and payments.

The Australian Government also offers the Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP)—a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child.

For broader support and assistance navigating options:

• The Office of Emergency Management offers advice on available disaster funding
• The NSW Rural Assistance Authority may assist primary producers and small businesses with losses or damage

NSW Government Business Impact survey

To support ongoing recovery efforts, the NSW Small Business Commissioner alongside the NSW Reconstruction Authority is inviting local businesses to complete a survey to share their experience and the impact of the recent severe weather event.

Useful recovery resources include:

• Red Cross: Recover from disasters
• SES: Recovery Guide
• NSW Small Business Commissioner: Get back to business - A guide to recovering from disaster

Recovery can take time, and looking after yourself, your property and your animals is essential.

The Rural Assistance Authority grants now available include:

• Up to $75,000 in Special Disaster Relief Grants
• Up to $25,000 in Natural Disaster Relief Grants
• $10,000 Rural Landholder Grants for those who may not qualify under other programs

There are also concessional loans or transport subsidies available for primary producers. View the subsidies available here.

Additional assistance includes tailored support via:

• Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline: 1800 814 647
  For urgent animal welfare support, veterinary advice, and livestock care
• Primary Industries Natural Disaster Damage Assessment (PinDDA) survey:
  Help guide statewide recovery efforts by sharing your experience and damage report
• Rural Aid: Providing financial help, fodder and water, free counselling, and farm volunteer support
• Local Land Services: Advice on flood recovery steps for landholder

Emergencies can take a toll on your mental health and it's completely normal to experience a range of emotions during and after such events. It’s important to look after yourself and seek support when needed.

Ways to support your wellbeing:

• Stay connected with family and friends
• Re-establish a daily routine, even a simple one
• Be patient with yourself and others
• Avoid overworking—take regular breaks
• Eat nourishing meals, get enough sleep and exercise
• Find small things that help you relax
• Accept offers of help—it’s okay to lean on others

If you need more support, help is available. You can speak with your GP or contact a range of mental health services:

Support services:

In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000)

• NSW Mental Health Line – Speak with a disaster recovery clinician: 1800 011 511
• Medicare Mental Health Phone Line - For advice, information and connection. Ph: 1800 595 212
• Beyond Blue – Support for anxiety, depression and suicide prevention: 1300 22 4636
• Lifeline Australia – 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention: 13 11 14
• Kid's Helpline - Free, private and confidential phone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25. Ph: 1800 55 1800
• Headspace Kempsey – Mental health support for young people: (02) 6539 3450
• 13YARN – Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 13 92 76
• 1800RESPECT - 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line. Ph: 1800 737 732
• Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) – Information and support for rural and regional NSW
• Healthdirect – 24-hour health advice: 1800 022 222
• Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre - emergency relief for food, petrol and medical needs. Financial counselling services. Ph: (02) 6562 8300 Location: 2 Geoffrey Debenham St, Kempsey Email: reception@kempseync.org.au
• Rural Aid Counselling: Rural Aid counsellors are based across Australia - farmers, family members and their employees can access this free service. Ph: 1300 175 594 Website: ruralaid.org.au/counsellors

   

   

   

   

   

For more information and resources, visit Managing your mental health during and after a natural disaster | NSW Government

We love how generous our community is and how we come together in incredible ways during challenging times.

Together with the NSW Government, we ask that donations be made responsibly and meaningfully through GIVIT.

GIVIT connects you directly with people in Kempsey and surrounding areas, ensuring they receive the essential items and assistance they need most.

To see what is needed and how you can help, visit GIVIT - New South Wales Flooding

How can your organisation help locals in need?

By registering your charity or community organisation with GIVIT, you can connect with generous donors to support residents impacted by flooding and severe weather.

Once registered, your organisation can request exactly what’s needed — when it’s needed — helping ensure local people and communities get the right support at the right time.

You can place requests on behalf of flood-affected residents for specific items, services or support.

Register at Organisations | GIVIT

• NSW Reconstruction Authority: supporting community recovery needs on the ground including referrals to local services.

  Website: nsw.gov.au/reconstruction-authority

• Service NSW: recovery support for individuals and businesses is available, including disaster payments and grants, as well as replacement of personal and identification documents.
  Ph: 13 77 88
  Location: 55 Elbow St, West Kempsey
  Website: service.nsw.gov.au/services/emergencies-and-natural-disasters

• Services Australia: support if you’ve lost income as a direct result of the NSW East Coast severe weather.

  Website: servicesaustralia.gov.au/natural-disaster-support or apply via your myGov app

  Ph: 180 22 66 Monday–Friday 8am to 5pm

• Revenue NSW: If your home or essential household items were damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster, you may be eligible to apply for a Disaster Relief Grant (for low-income earners).
  Ph: 1300 069 550

• Kempsey Shire Council: For clean-up and waste collection services and to keep up to date on road closures and power outages.
  Ph: 02 6566 3200
  Location: 22 Tozer Street, West Kempsey
  Website: kempsey.nsw.gov.au

• Primary Industries and Regional Development – Agricultural and Animal Services: Provides assistance advice to eligible landholders on animal welfare, emergency veterinary care, carcass disposal or supply and distribution of emergency fodder.
  Ph: 1800 814 647 between 8am and 6pm

• Local Land Services – Flood Recovery Hub: Local Land Services provides support and advice in flood recovery to impacted landholders after an emergency response has wound down.
  Website: lls.nsw.gov.au/floods/flood-recovery-resources

• St Vincent de Paul: Vinnies can provide food, clothing, furniture and financial assistance for those who need it most following a disaster
  Ph: 13 18 12
  Website: vinnies.org.au

• Australian Red Cross: Provide practical help and resources to use before during and after emergencies.
  Ph: 1800 733 278
  Website: redcross.org.au/emergencies

• Salvation Army: Emergency relief payments may be available for people affected by severe weather impacts.
  Email: disasters@salvationarmy.org.au

• Mid North Coast Legal Centre: Provides legal information and advice in relation to complaints, disputes or problems in many areas of law including insurance, traffic problems, family violence, privacy and personal information and government services.
  Ph: 02 6580 2111
  Website: https://mnclegal.org.au/

• Disaster Response Legal Service: specialised service of Legal Aid NSW that can help with everyday legal problems that arise after a disaster including insurance claims and disputes, housing and tenancy, financial hardship, and disaster grants.
  Ph: 1800 801 529
  Website: disasterhelp.legalaid.nsw.gov.au

• Rural Financial Counselling Service Northern Region: free, unbiased, independent, confidential and expert financial counselling support to farmers, fishers, foresters and other rural businesses.
  Ph: 1800 344 090
  Website: rfcsnr.org.au

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

As floodwater recedes from roads and bridges, Council will inspect them for any damage and arrange urgent repairs. Roads and bridges that are safe to travel on will reopen.

Each bridge and road must be thoroughly inspected to ensure it is safe to use. It is crucial to follow all road and bridge closure signs.  Travelling on a closed road or bridge puts your safety at serious risk.

Council manages a large network of roads and bridges and many have been impacted by flooding. While repairing roads is a priority, it will take time to complete all necessary inspections and repairs.

Please check the road and bridge updates at Live Traffic

Please be aware that floodwaters may still contain harmful contaminants and hazardous debris. This includes bacteria, chemicals, logs, sharp objects, and other hidden dangers in beaches, rivers, creeks and lakes. Pollution from stormwater and sewage overflows can cause higher levels of faecal contamination that makes water quality unsuitable for swimming.

For your safety, it is recommended avoiding these bodies of water for at least 72 hours (or three days) after rainfall, as contaminants are likely still present. Even after this time, inspect the area for waste, logs, debris, oil and other potential hazards before entering the water. 

Find out more at Maintaining health during and after floods and storm

It’s important to follow the closure signs so that further damage is avoided and community groups and residents aren’t impacted by unnecessary delays in reopening sports fields.

Council will update sport fields statuses at Sports field status and on our Facebook page.