![Flood Maintenance Grants for Kempsey Shire Flood Maintenance Grants for Kempsey Shire](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/xyfVshGek4Z7PqCkQg9FwW/a2a27584-043b-44fb-9e79-81b6a6d4e1ce.jpg/r0_233_2485_1630_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey MP has announced that Kempsey Shire Council will receive $348,800 to help maintain the valley’s flood mitigation systems for the next four years, under the NSW Government’s Floodplain Maintenance Grant program.
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Mrs Pavey said the grant was specifically for older flood mitigation schemes that have higher maintenance costs.
“The NSW Floodplain Maintenance Program helps regions such as the Macleay Valley to be better prepared for future flooding events by assisting with the maintenance of mitigation schemes that were built before 1984,” Mrs Pavey said.
“These grants have been awarded to nine councils on an ongoing dollar for dollar basis annually.
“However, this year as part of the NSW Government’s measures to reduce red tape by removing unnecessary paperwork for councils, the grants are being offered on four-year cycles rather than annually.
“This will give councils certainty on the availability of funding to undertake important maintenance work and prevent delays commencing work.”
The funding will be used to support Kempsey Shire’s ongoing maintenance program for flood control structures including clearing drains, weed control, repairs to levee banks and maintenance of flood gauges.
In acknowledging the NSW Government for the grant assistance mayor Liz Campbell highlighted how essential flood management is to the Macleay.
“The river system is part of the fabric of our area and it is critically important to our farmers and our economy that our flood management system is well maintained and operating as efficiently as possible,” Mayor Campbell said.
“This grant gives the community confidence that the maintenance work can be scheduled over the next four years and will remain an ongoing part of Council’s works program.
“It also creates efficiency for council staff who no longer have to work within an annual application process.”
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