NATURAL DISASTER DECLARED: East Coast NSW Communities Hit Hard The NSW and Federal Governments have officially declared a natural disaster across 16 Local Government Areas in eastern New South Wales after relentless storms and heavy rainfall wreaked havoc across the region. Disaster assistance funding has been activated for the following areas: Bellingen Central Coast Cessnock Clarence Valley Coffs Harbour Dungog Kempsey Lake Macquarie Maitland Mid-Coast Nambucca Newcastle Port Macquarie-Hastings Port Stephens Singleton Upper Hunter This support includes emergency accommodation, essential supplies for evacuation centres, and grants for uninsured low-income residents to replace essential household items and make urgent structural repairs to homes. Councils will receive funding for clean-up operations and restoration of public assets, while small businesses and primary producers...