Locals to get disaster grant

The DRFA was offered to 28 Local Government Areas following severe storms and flooding from February 22, but Cumberland was excluded.
Affected residents will now be entitled to $1,000 per adult and $400 for each child younger than 16.
State MP for Granville, Julia Finn and Cr Steve Christou took up the fight for residents and have welcomed the change of heart.
Cr Christou said it was great the State and Federal governments reconsidered their position and made Cumberland residents eligible for the flood disaster relief but they should have automatically been eligible.
“Better late than never and I’m very happy that my community will now receive the assistance they deserve,” Cr Christou said.
Ms Finn said that while “far from the horrific scenes” we saw in Lismore, there was localised flooding which has inundated some homes and businesses.
Guildford’s Glades Moussalem, who is facing a repair bill of between $20-30,000 after water poured into her home during the storms, was one of the first to take up the fight when told Cumberland was excluded and said while the funds wouldn’t go far, they would be a help for her young family.
“The rain was so bad the gutters couldn’t control the volume of water that it overflowed and went through the roof and lights, caused cracks and dripped through the walls,” she said.
“I’ve never seen anything like it in the 11 years that I’ve been here.
“It was so scary, especially for my kids.
“There was water everywhere in the street, but everyone was helping each other to stay safe.
“I’m glad we can now get that help but why were we left out?”