Login
iscover
The Australian Defence Force to assist in NSW flood recovery, Defence confirmed.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The Australian Defence Force will assist in search and rescue and disaster relief efforts following a series of devastating floods across NSW.
The ADF will deploy helicopters and ground units to assist the government’s humanitarian efforts, working closely alongside the NSW emergency services.
The acting Minister for Defence Marise Payne outlined that the military is prepared to offer assistance where required.
“Defence is working with the NSW State Emergency Operations Centre to determine how it can further support and assist state emergency services with tasks such as assessing damage to properties, clearing roads and helping restore electricity and water,” Minister Payne said.
“Defence is well-equipped to provide further assistance if required, which was demonstrated last year when the ADF provided support during the Black Summer Bushfires, throughout COVID-19 and the recent bushfires in Western Australia.
“Once again, our ADF personnel are showing their professionalism and dedication in the face of very difficult conditions. All Australians can be proud of the way Defence has been assisting the emergency services across the country in these challenging circumstances.”
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud expressed that the coming weeks will be difficult for those in flood affected areas as they enter the clean-up phase.
“Defence has quickly got the ball rolling to provide the appropriate equipment and personnel for the clean-up task,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This will allow experts in the civil sector to get in and repair critical infrastructure and essential services.
“The amount of flood and storm debris to be removed will be enormous and could be overwhelming for those trying to put their lives back together.”
[Related: ADF personnel return from Fiji deployment]
