Baird pledges funding for Forbes flood

Forbes flood | What to expect

Premier Mike Baird has promised funding assistance for the flooded community of Forbes after inspecting some of the worst affected areas of town on Monday.

“There’s obviously already assistance available for those that have been evacuated from their homes,” he said. 

The Premier expects Forbes will be declared a natural disaster area and funds will be provided to assist locals, farmers and businesses. 

“It is very likely to be declared a natural disaster, which would mean that further assistance would come,” he said.

Mr Baird announced the support outside the Forbes Shire Council Chambers after inspecting homes inundated as the Lachlan River peaked at 10.67 metres on Sunday night.

He toured the area with Mayor Phyllis Miller and emergency services personnel.

Mr Baird said assistance will be provided once the situation has been assessed. 

“What we need to do is get through this event first and foremost.

“We need to protect people and property as much as we possibly can, and obviously that’s the focus.”

Mr Baird pledged that isolated farmers and communities further west affected by flood waters will not be overlooked.

“I can assure you they won’t be forgotten,” he said.

“It’s not an easy time for them and we’re in a position where significant crops have been lost and will be lost and that’s very difficult again for our farmers, “ he said.

State Recovery Coordinator David Owen will coordinate the recovery of Forbes.

“We will ask him specifically to look at how the insurers are working and cooperating with the local community,” Mr Baird said.

Referring to insurance companies who were criticised for their response to flooding in Picton in June, Mr Baird put the industry on notice.

“We’ll make sure, through Dave Owen as a coordinator, that they [the insurers] are here to obviously honor the obligations and policies that they have and work with the community to get them back on their feet,” he said.

“We need to support them and there are measures that we can make available.

“This community is very resilient and obviously going through a tough time.”