Additional Support For Hills Residents and Businesses Impacted by Floods
Hills residents and businesses impacted by the current floods will receive additional support after Hills Shire Council unanimously supported the Mayoral Minute at last night’s meeting (8th March).
The package is designed to complement the support that the State and Federal Governments are providing and undoubtedly will continue to put forward.
“The Hills Shire Council will waive numerous fees for those homes and businesses impacted by the floods. When the flood waters subside, Council will focus on reopening the road network as fast as possible as well as assisting the RFS, SES and State Government stakeholders where appropriate. Where necessary, Council will exercise its discretion in enforcement activities arising from landowners reasonably restoring and repairing land to its pre flood condition, i.e. like for like.
The extent of the floodwaters is hard to believe and the water levels may still rise today. Our thoughts and prayers are with our residents and businesses who have had to endure a devastating emotional and physical toll for the second time in twelve months.” said Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi
The adopted package states:
1. Council thank our SES, RFS, police, emergency teams and volunteers for their incredible efforts during this flood event.
2. Council note the ongoing hardship of communities impacted by floods and offer the following forms of assistance
a. Should a DA be submitted to Council for construction or reconstruction works on an originally approved development, which was affected by the February-March 2022 flood, the DA fees and Compliance Levy fees will be waived for applications lodged up until 30 June 2023.
b. Should a Section 68 application approval for a structure under the Local Government Act be submitted to Council related to a flood impacted property to carry out reinstallation works impacted by the February-March 2022 flood, the application fees will be waived for applications lodged up until 30 June 2023.
c. Should a Section 68 application for the approval to install or operate a sewage management system be submitted to Council related to a flood impacted property to carry out reinstallation works impacted by the February-March 2022 flood, the application fees will be waived for applications lodged up until 30 June 2023.
d. Should a Section 68 application for the approval to operate a Caravan Park be submitted to Council, the application fees will be waived for applications lodged up until 30 June 2023.
e. Where possible, DAs, construction certificate applications and the like from flood impacted areas be prioritised by Council’s assessment team for any applications lodged up until 30 June 2023.
f. Waiving the fees for Council work to assist with the piling and clearing of vegetation or debris caused by the flood, for removal by others, on private land where such access is required.
3. The General Manager be delegated authority to approve the conduct of work by Council officers on private property should the need arise to complement the clean-up activities being coordinated by Government agencies.
4. Council authorise the General Manager to incur expenditure on restoring Council assets, whether it be roads, parks and removal of debris and disposal to carry out the clean-up operations and that be regularly reported to Council through Budget Review reports. General Manager also takes steps to recover any funds either from insurance or any other funding available.
5. Where necessary, Council exercise its discretion in enforcement activities arising from landowners reasonably restoring and repairing land to its pre flood condition, i.e. like for like.
