Yesterday Police and Emergency Services Minister Michael Gallacher extended natural disaster declarations to include another four local government areas.

Joining the Liverpool Plains Shire were Ballina, Upper Hunter and Gloucester.

The extension means there are now 21 local government areas natural disaster declared in NSW as a result of recent floods and storms.

In the northern region, Gunnedah, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tenterfield, Inverell and the Liverpool Plains have been disaster declared, which means they are able to seek assistance, including funding.

“These communities have been badly hit by the recent floods and storms,” Mr Gallacher said.

“Councils, families, business owners and primary producers can now access the help they need to recover and rebuild, under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements and the NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.”

Mr Gallacher, who visited Moree again yesterday, welcomed the federal government’s decision to provide clean-up and recovery grants for primary producers and small business owners in Moree, Narrabri and Gwydir.