Minister for Police and Emergency Services Michael Gallacher has announced Brewarrina and Walgett have been declared natural disasters, taking the total from this weather system to 23.

The local government areas of Liverpool Plains, Ballina, Upper Hunter, Gloucester, Gunnedah, Moree Shire, Greater Taree, Gwydir, Narrabri, Tenterfield, Bellingen, Byron, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Inverell, Nambucca, Kempsey and Tweed Shire councils have already been declared natural disasters.

“These are the areas that have been hardest hit by the recent rainfall and subsequent floods which have plagued parts of northern and north-western NSW,” Minister Gallacher said.

The natural disaster declarations for these areas activate a number of assistance schemes for home, land and business owners under the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.

This will, at the very least, assist residents, primary producers and business owners to get back on their feet a little sooner.

Through all this heartache for the local residents and business owners in these areas it has been, no doubt, some comfort to them to see such support from fellow community members and members of our emergency services who have done an outstanding job.

Anyone needing help from the SES should contact their local unit on 132 500.

In life-threatening emergencies always ring triple zero (000).