Six months after flooding devastated wide areas of northern NSW a federal MP says farmers and businesses are still unable to access state government assistance programs.
Federal MP Kevin Hogan's electorate of Page includes the towns of Casino, Dunoon, Evans Head, Grafton, Iluka, Kyogle, Lismore, Nimbin, Sapphire Beach and Wooli which were hit by catastrophic floods in February and March.
He says farmers and businesses are still waiting on grant details, preventing them making important decisions about their future.
"This is unacceptable, as people are trying to rebuild their lives," he said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Primary Industry Sector Support Package was announced on March 18 after the flooding was acknowledged as the second-biggest natural disaster in Australia since records began.
"But there is still no criteria, no applications, and no money is flowing," Mr Hogan said.
Meanwhile, farmers are unable to replant crops they will rely on for income next year.
"This is urgent," Mr Hogan said, calling for the NSW government to urgently move forward with delivering the assistance programs.
Sugar cane farmers need to replant crops and replace equipment that was washed away, while dairy and beef farmers need to replenish stock that drowned.
Mr Hogan also wants to know when the assistance package for shop owners is going to be announced.
"I have written to relevant ministers weeks ago for an update about these packages. No response, no action," he said.
"My community need answers, and action, today."
In response to Mr Hogan's questions about when the assistance packages will become available, a NSW government spokesman told AAP "significant stakeholder and industry consultation" is under way for the remaining announced packages that are not yet available.
The spokesman said the Primary Industry Sector Support Package Mr Hogan asked about is not a single program.
Some $23 million worth of programs for hardwood timber haulage and early needs recovery, contained within that package, have opened, while consultation is taking place with industry and stakeholders on the remainder.
"This funding is in addition to the short term recovery support provided to primary producers impacted ... through the $75,000 Special Disaster Grants and the $25,000 Rural Landholder Grants," the spokesman said.
"To date, more than $169 million has been approved under these programs."
