Armidale and Guyra still waiting for disaster declaration following Snowstorm

12th Aug 2025

Disaster assistance has been activated for parts of the New England region following last week’s severe snowstorm and heavy rainfall, however it is still unclear if Armidale Regional Council (ARC) will be added to the list.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain and NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin announced on Thursday that a Natural Disaster Declaration had been made for five local government areas: Gunnedah, Narrabri, Tamworth, Uralla and Walcha.
Armidale and Guyra, who were among the hardest hit areas, were not included in the initial declaration. ARC has since completed their disaster assistance assessment and are hoping for an outcome by the end of the week, opening the doors to the appropriate funding.
Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan is also hopeful that ARC will be added to the disaster declaration.
Last week Mr Moylan appealed to the NSW Government for urgent financial support for local residents and businesses after the snowstorms caused significant and widespread damage to infrastructure and services across the region.
Mr Moylan said his electorate offices have been inundated with phone calls and emails from distressed constituents and business owners outlining the extensive damage and losses to their properties.
“There has been a huge amount of devastation and destruction across the eastern side of the Northern Tablelands,” Mr Moylan said.
“Thousands of residents were without power for days. They have lost perishables, have been without water and businesses have not been able to trade.”
Under the jointly funded Commonwealth–state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the declaration opens the door to a range of recovery measures for individuals, businesses, councils, and community organisations affected by the storm.
Support available includes emergency accommodation and essential items for those in need, grants for uninsured low-income residents to replace essential household items and make structural repairs, and funding for councils to clean up and restore damaged public assets.
Also on offer are concessional loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations, grants to sporting and recreation clubs, and freight subsidies to help primary producers transport livestock and fodder. Support is also available to emergency services for disaster response activities.
More information about disaster assistance is available at www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery and www.disasterassist.gov.au

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Armidale and Guyra still waiting for disaster declaration following Snowstorm

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