Muswellbrook Council Awaits Decision On Disaster Declaration Application Review

 BY IAN CROUCH

Muswellbrook Shire Council is hoping to hear this week if its Natural Disaster application review has been successful.

A planned meeting with Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dibb was brought forward after the NSW Reconstruction Authority knocked back Council's application to have the August 23 earthquake declared a Natural Disaster because it didn't meet the criteria.

Part of the reason the declaration was refused is because council included damage to sports infrastructure which is not allowable.

Mayor, Jeff Dryaton says council's claim for damage to roads and infrastructure alone meets the required threshold of just under a quarter of a million dollars, and the minister is supporting a review of the decision.

"He was of a view that there may have been a bit of misunderstanding on what could and couldn't be claimed or accepted by Local Government to be able to meet that threshold, and certainly we're confident now we can meet that threshold and have that natural disaster declared," he said.

Muswellbrook Mayor Jeff Drayton

Muswellbrook Shire Council Frustrated Over Post Earthquake Disaster Knock Back

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two months on from a significant earthquake, Muswellbrook Shire Council is frustrated with the lack of support from the state government.

Council applied to have the 4.7 magnitude quake on August 23 declared a natural disaster, allowing residents to tap into support and make insurance claims easier.

However, the NSW Reconstruction Authority has knocked back the application saying the event didn't meet the criteria for an eligible disaster.

Many residents have also had insurance claims rejected, with insurance companies classifying the damage as pre-existing.

Mayor Jeff Drayton says Council is meeting with Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib to discuss the disaster declaration refusal and the responsibility insurance companies have to their clients.

 

Many homes and businesses suffered significant damage in the August Earthquake. Picture: Muswellbrook Chronicle

Muswellbrook Ethanol Plant A Step Closer

BY IAN CROUCH

Muswellbrook Council has voted to support continuing talks about using ratepayers funds to back a proposed ethanol plant in the shire.

Biofuel company Ethtec already has approval for an $11.9 million dollar grant from the Federal Government for the pilot project, but a Chinese investor has pulled out of plans to provide the rest of the money.

Muswellbrook Council is considering providing a $10.4 million grant as replacement funding.

However, not all councillors are comfortable with the idea, with some questioning whether council should be spending ratepayers funds on a speculative project.

Biofuel company Ethtec wants to build an ethanol plant at Muswellbrook Picture; ethtec.com.au