The NSW Government has responded with comprehensive support for people and businesses affected by COVID-19 and natural disasters.
There are 210,000 more people in work than before the 2019-20 bushfire season, and the unemployment rate is 1.5 percentage points lower than in June 2019. Unemployment is now close to its lowest level in nearly 50 years.
Since the 2022-23 Budget, the NSW Government has acted to address further pressures in the health system stemming from COVID-19 and the extensive damage from the 2022 floods.
Recovering from the 2022 floods and building resilience against future floods
The 2022-23 Budget included a $3.5 billion joint commitment between the NSW and Australian governments in response to the February and March 2022 floods. The Half-Yearly Review builds on this commitment with a further $2.6 billion in joint funding including:
- $1.1 billion to support communities, businesses and councils impacted by the floods, including since late June
- $800 million for the Resilient Homes Fund to improve the resilience of homes in high-risk flood areas in the Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed local government areas
- $500 million for the Regional and Local Roads Repair Program to repair flood-damaged roads
- $199 million to implement a number of recommendations from the 2022 NSW Independent Flood Inquiry.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority has been established to oversee the State’s natural disaster prevention, preparedness, resilience, recovery and reconstruction. This was a key recommendation of the 2022 NSW Independent Flood Inquiry.
