CENTRAL COAST DECLARED NATURAL DISASTER ZONE

GOVERNMENT MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday, 12 February 2020
NATURAL DISASTER DECLARED FOR CENTRAL COAST

A state of natural disaster has today been declared for the Central Coast region. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said the declaration was made in response to last weekend’s severe storms and flooding.

“Entire streets currently look like watery war zones, there are approximately 38,000
people still without power and many trees are blocking roads across the region,” Mr Crouch said.

“I have been in constant contact with the Premier and Minister for Emergency Services
to ensure a natural disaster declaration could be made as quickly as possible. This means assistance is available for people whose homes or belongings have been damaged, and for Council to clean up public assets.

“I encourage flood-affected residents and business owners to contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444. The recovery effort is ongoing and I want to thank local SES crews from Gosford and Wyong for their selfless service, as well as the other emergency services involved.”
Member of the Legislative Council Taylor Martin said hundreds of homes around Tuggerah Lake have been directly impacted by floodwater.

“Central Coast Council has been inert in managing Tuggerah Lakes,” Mr Martin said.
“Community anger has reached boiling point over Council’s lack of action in properly
managing Tuggerah Lake. Waiting until after the lake has flooded to bring in the
excavators is unacceptable.”
“The Government assistance provided through a natural disaster declaration is very much needed by residents in Long Jetty, The Entrance and surrounding suburbs who have been affected by the deluge of rainfall and the inability of The Entrance channel to drain in a timely and effective manner.”