Bushfire Recovery Shoalhaven

This Recovery Newsletter - 23 July 2021 will help guide you through the recovery process, whether it be bushfire, flood, or COVID-19. Learn about the support available and how we can work together towards recovery.

Our Recovery Helpline is here to assist Monday – Friday 9am-5pm on 4429 5888.

Previous Recovery Newsletter issues are published in the Document Library on this web page.

Shoalhaven City Council has been successful in securing $12 million for recovery in the Shoalhaven, response and preparedness projects following a recent funding announcement.

Council has been awarded funding for eight projects through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package, co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments, which will deliver $283 million for bushfire-affected communities.

Council has received funding for the following projects:

• Construction of a fire station for Manyana/Bendalong.
• Improve the resilience of four Shoalhaven showgrounds for bushfire and emergency evacuations.
• Extend and improve the Lake Conjola Fire Station.
• Supporting Lake Conjola tourism access with a new regional boat ramp.
• Design and construct a new Bendeela Reservoir and Fire Water Tanks.
• Provision of a user shared pathway and Bridge on Lake Conjola Entrance Road as a key piece of infrastructure leading into Lake Conjola.
• Upgrade major telecommunication site's resilience to catastrophic events.
• Huskisson Mangrove Boardwalk refurbishment of the current wooden structure built over the mudflats and through the mangroves into a wider and inclusive structure.

Other projects funded related to the Shoalhaven include:

• Upgrade and refurbish sections of the PCYC Shoalhaven Club to improve safety and better serve the Shoalhaven community.
• Implement anti-erosion and sediment measures; control weeds; manage fires; provide training; run workshops and build land management contract businesses on public land in the Shoalhaven.
• Implement the Positive Futures recovery program to build resilience, mental health, and networks for bushfire-affected young people and communities.
• Install a microgrid energy infrastructure at Bawley Point and Kioloa.
• Implementation for Anglicare’s Road to Recovery Program as a focused approach to engaging communities across the Shoalhaven, Queanbeyan-Palerang, and New England Local Government Areas.
• Provide practical assistance to regenerate tracts of devasted forest land; regenerate habitats for important species; oversee natural regeneration; reduce fire risk and treat weed incursions, and collect data on forest regeneration and post-fire biodiversity in areas around Milton.
• Establish an Aboriginal-led land management team in Shoalhaven.

Council applied for a number of projects under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package.

Projects were identified from a range of sources such as Local and Regional Recovery Action Plans, existing NSW Government programs, and directly from councils.

The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package is part of the $4.5 billion bushfire support program co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments.

For more information, visit the NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package website.

Shoalhaven City Council’s Bushfire Recovery Grants Program will deliver flexible small scale grants to fund a range of projects that will support communities to overcome the social impacts of the Black Summer bushfires. Funding for this program is through the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund - provided by the joint Commonwealth State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Small grants up to $1000 and large grants up to $10,000 are available.

The Bushfire Recovery Grants Program adds to the ongoing work being undertaken by Council to support communities and individuals impacted by the 2019-2020 bushfires. It supports projects that contribute to community improvement, wellbeing, resilience and recovery and assist communities and individuals to overcome the social impacts of the bushfires.

The Bushfire Recovery Grants Program is seeking applications that meet the following criteria:

• Brings communities together in a supportive environment through activities that are relevant to their interests
• Delivers grassroots, community-led health and wellbeing activities that build community resilience
• Facilitates programs that enhance the communities’ disaster preparedness skills
• Locally led activities that support communities in recovery
• Supports community led bushfire commemoration initiatives
• Events to be held in the Shoalhaven Local Government Area

For more information, including how to apply for a grant, visit the Bushfire Recovery Grants Program - Shoalhaven City Council web page.

This Recovery Newsletter - 8 July 2021 will help guide you through the recovery process, whether it be bushfire, flood, or COVID-19. Learn about the support available and how we can work together towards recovery.

Our Recovery Helpline is here to assist Monday – Friday 9am-5pm on 4429 5888.

The Bushfire Recovery Grant Program is now OPEN!

Individuals, community groups and organisations are encouraged to apply for a grant to deliver small scale, short-term projects in the community which help overcome social impacts of the 2019/2020 Bushfires. For more information about the Grants program read the Press Release or visit the Webpage.

Bushfire Recovery Grant Virtual Pop Up Clinic

Where: Online via Microsoft Teams*
When: Wednesday 14th July | 9.30AM–12.30PM

*If you are located in Ulladulla or surrounding areas and don’t have access to internet you can also visit the Shoalhaven Recovery Hub at Ulladulla Civic Centre to attend your appointment. The HUB is located in the Lounge, Ground Floor, Ulladulla Civic Centre 81B Princes Highway, Ulladulla.

Bookings are essential: you can book your appointment through the Eventbright web page.

Grant Details:

• Small grants up to $1000 | Large grants up to $10,000
• Grants open 5 July 2021
• Grants close 6 August 2021

Shoalhaven City Council’s Bushfire Recovery Grants Program will deliver flexible small-scale grants to fund a range of projects that will support communities to overcome the social impacts of the Black Summer bushfires. Funding for this program is through the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund - provided by the joint Commonwealth State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

The Grants Program will provide small-scale financial support for projects which contribute to community improvement, wellbeing, resilience and recovery. Eligible applications for the Grants may include an individual applying to host a street party or community BBQ, a community group seeking to provide families with disaster preparedness packs or an organisation hosting a new short term mental health program.

We look forward to seeing you at our virtual grant clinic and to receiving your applications.

Bushfire declared regions following the 2019/2020 bushfires to share in $280 million grants program

Applications open 22 July 2021 and close 2 September 2021

This grants program is funded by the Australian Government, from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund.

Quick facts:

• The grants are being delivered by the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, through the Business Grants Hub.
• This grants program builds from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund and is additional to support already provided through a range of bushfire recovery programs.
• It covers every Local Government Area that was disaster declared as a result of the 2019-20 bushfires, including ACT, Tasmania and four bushfire affected alpine resort areas in Victoria.
• Community organisations, businesses and local councils can apply.
• Applications will open for submission on 22 July 2021 and close on 2 September 2021.
• Successful projects will be announced by the end of 2021.
• Grant funding may be between $20,000 and $10 million.

To make things as easy as possible for applicants, the Australian Government is arranging workshops and webinars to assist with the application process.

To find out more, visit the National Recovery and Resilience Agency Black Summer Grants web page.

A broad range of recovery and resilience projects can be supported through the grants – from social and community wellbeing projects right through to projects that support the recovery of local economies and built environments.

This grants program is not available for individuals, partnerships or trusts. To be eligible, you must have an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be one of the following:

• an entity incorporated in Australia
• a company limited by guarantee
• an incorporated association
• an incorporated not-for-profit organisation
• an Aboriginal Land Council or indigenous corporation.

Shoalhaven City Council would like to inform the community that Council and partner agencies have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the Shoalhaven Recovery Hub due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation.

The Shoalhaven Recovery Hub will be closed on the following dates:

Thursday 1 and 8 July 2021
Friday 2 and 9 July 2021
Saturday 3 and 10 July 2021

The health and wellbeing of our community, agencies and recovery team is of the utmost importance to us. The temporary closure will allow time for the situation to become clearer.

Activities and workshops that have been scheduled for these dates are currently postponed and alternate dates will be arranged. Anyone registered for these events will be contacted directly.

We understand that some in our community may be concerned with the current situation and may require further support. Council’s outreach team is here to listen, help and refer community for support. Please call (02) 4429 5888 Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm.

It is normal to have strong emotional reactions long after a disaster, and with COVID-19 , there is no right or wrong way to feel; people respond in many ways. If you or someone you know is struggling, please see our Health & Wellbeing Information.

For up to date COVID-19 information visit the NSW Health website.

This Recovery Newsletter - 24 June 2021 will help guide you through the recovery process, whether it be bushfire, flood, or COVID-19. Learn about the support available and how we can work together towards recovery.

Our Recovery Helpline is here to assist Monday – Friday 9am-5pm on 4429 5888.

Recovery from a natural disaster is a marathon, not a sprint. Vinnies is committed to standing beside you throughout this long process.

Vinnies are now accepting applications for the Vinnies NSW and Canberra / Goulburn Community Bushfire Recovery Grant Program to help communities on the journey to recovery.

One-off grants of up to $30,000 are available for organisations in bushfire-affected areas for recovery projects that benefit communities.

Applications for Bushfire Community Grants on close on Friday, 9 July 2021.

What are the grants for?

The Bushfire Community Recovery Grants aim to:

• Support the local community by providing funding to assist their efforts to build back and create better future resilience.
• Create positive impact in the community by supporting worthwhile causes and projects that promote community cohesion and wellbeing.

Vinnies provides one-off grants to support grassroots community activities and projects for implementation during the period September 2021 to December 2022 and grants are not intended as a recurring funding source. Decisions on grants will be at the sole discretion of the Bushfire Community Recovery Grants Assessment Committees. Vinnies recognises the good work and potential work that the voluntary and community sector can provide and would encourage groups to apply for funding.

Who is eligible?

Grants will be awarded to local community groups, voluntary and not-for-profit groups that demonstrate their ability to add value to those services which are needed by the community affected by the black summer bushfires. The services provided need to fulfil an important social, economic, or cultural role which is not fulfilled by other statutory or not-for-profit organisations in the area. Groups not meeting these criteria are encouraged to work with other organisations, such as Councils or other organisations that meet this requirement.

• Grants will only be given for projects or activities that have wider community benefit.
• Organisations that have previously applied and/or previously been grant recipients are eligible to apply again. However, the applicant will need to provide compelling justification to as to why they should receive additional funding.
• Grants will not be given to organisations that have, in the past, been found to be unable to manage projects and finances effectively.
• Previous grant recipients are eligible to apply for Round 3 monies for either new or existing projects.

For more details visit the Vinnies NSW and Canberra / Goulburn Community Bushfire Recovery Grant Program web page.