Bushfire Recovery Shoalhaven

27 February 2020

Many people have found the recent bushfire events distressing and emotionally challenging and are experiencing sadness, sleep disturbance, fear and anxiety. It is important to understand that competent, healthy, strong people have similar feelings or responses and that these response may be experienced immediately after the bushfires or much later on. Having these distressing thoughts and feelings after such an event is normal. When these responses persist or significantly impact on someone's ability to return to usual activities additional support may be needed.

Children, in particular, absorb the tension, uncertainty, confusion and fear around them following traumatic events. For specific information on how to support young people, please visit the Trauma and Grief Network website.

If you experience persistent thoughts or feelings that interfere with your life please talk to your General Practitioner or health care provider.

The following free services are available 24 hours, seven days a week:

21 February 2020

Bushfire clean-up works begin with state agencies agreeing to Council’s Waste Plan.

The Waste Plan ensures the most efficient, effective and responsible clean up takes place in the Shoalhaven in collaboration with Laing O’Rourke Australia. Laing O’Rourke are the State appointed head contractor responsible for managing the clean-up of properties across NSW in collaboration with NSW Public Works Advisory.

Council’s West Nowra Waste Facility accepts Non-Asbestos Contaminated Materials (NACM) from bushfire impacted sites. The establishment of a temporary plant enables processing of the estimated 77,000 cubic metres of NACM with the aim of diverting about 60 per cent to recycling or reuse.

Asbestos Contaminated Materials (ACM) will initially be transported to licensed regional facilities, pending further investigation and refinement of the estimated quantities.

Property owners must complete the Deeds of Agreement so Laing O’Rourke Australia can enter a property and commence the bushfire waste clean-up.

Please register online at Service NSW or call 13 77 88 as soon as possible.

Once you've registered, Laing 0'Rourke will contact you to discuss the damage and assess your eligibility and once the area is declared safe, they will meet with you on-site.

Once you approve the scope of works the clean-up will begin. On completion you will be asked to confirm that the works were undertaken in accordance wit the agreed scope of works.

Laing 0'Rourke will pre-arrange household/property visits and won’t ask you for payment.

Laing O'Rourke will engage qualified local contractors and local suppliers, where possible, to carry out make safe and clean up works. This is to maximise local knowledge and expertise and assist the economic recovery of the communities.

If your business is interested in participating, please register online.

Laing O’Rourke will be in contact with all businesses that register through the Public Works Advisory or Procurement NSW with information on the next steps.

We understand there are lasting impacts from the recent bush fires, as you navigate with insurance companies, banks, debt, medium to long term housing and financial aid. There is also an impact on your mental health, your family's mental health and your community.

Experts from local care and support organisations will provide FREE financial and well being recovery information, resources, tools, contact details and strategies for you and your loved ones. They can help you understand your options following the bushfires. In addition there will be Q&A panels and information hubs to get the right information for your unique needs.

Date: Tuesday 10 March 2020
Time: 5:50 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: Ulladulla Civic Centre, 81B Princes Highway, Ulladulla

For more information and to REGISTER visit Bushfire Support Information Evening.

11 February 2020

Shoalhaven City Council are encouraging residents to come along to a series of community meetings in towns and villages throughout February. Furthering Council’s commitment in working towards a better, stronger and more resilient Shoalhaven.

More than 200 residents have attended the community meetings held in Ulladulla, St George’s Basin and Bomaderry this week. Council would now like to focus on connecting with our regional communities which have been impacted.

Local Service Providers and State Agencies will advise on matters of financial, mental health and wellbeing and small business support. Additional resources are also available to assist residents through the recovery phase.

The following meetings have been confirmed:

Manyana
Wednesday, 12 February
5.30 – 7.00pm
Manyana Public Hall, 195 Sunset Strip, Manyana

Lake Conjola
Monday 17 February
6.00 – 7.30pm 
Lake Conjola Community Centre, Lake Conjola Entrance Road (cnr Aney Street)

Kioloa/ Bawley Point
Wednesday 19 February
6.00 – 7.30pm 
Kioloa/Bawley Point Community Hall, Murramarang Road, Kioloa

Kangaroo Valley
Monday, 9 March
5 – 6pm
Kangaroo Valley Hall, Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley

Meetings will provide residents the opportunity to engage service providers and agencies one on one at the event.

Those unable to attend are encouraged to visit the Bushfire Recovery Centre at Ulladulla Civic Centre, or to call 13 77 88.

6 February 2020

The NSW Government is coordinating the clean-up of NSW residences and eligible businesses impacted by the NSW bushfires. This includes both insured and uninsured properties.

Register at NSW Bushfire Cleanup - Register Now.

This program focuses on safety hazards and issues that could impede people rebuilding their homes. For example:

• the clean-up costs of outbuildings that are uninhabitable or unusable that are located within the vicinity of a primary residence or business operation are covered
• the clean-up costs of septic tanks are not covered unless they present a safety issue.

The clean-up of bushfire-impacted properties may include:

• containment and removal of asbestos and other contaminated materials released as a result of bushfire
• removal of all dangerous debris including destroyed material and hazard trees
• removal of concrete slab foundations.

Public Works Advisory (PWA) has appointed Laing O’Rourke Australia to lead the clean-up. They'll be engaging local contractors and local suppliers where possible, to ensure that properties are efficiently and safely cleared.

With safety being the number one priority, testing will be initially carried out on all properties to ensure communities are not exposed to contamination, and workers are not exposed to any hazardous materials.

Register as soon as possible as PWA and Laing 0'Rourke staff will begin contacting registered property owners from early February to begin planning. They will pre-arrange any household visits and will not turn up unannounced or demand payment.

If you have any concerns, please visit Check a builder or tradesperson licence.

Most residential properties will be substantially cleared by 30 June 2020, but it may take longer for isolated properties in remote areas and regions where there is still active fire.

Note: The NSW Government will cover the full clean-up cost for insured and uninsured eligible property owners. This includes properties that are used as residences, or for small business or primary production.

The cost of clearing properties will not be deducted from the funds available under insurance policies.

Owners of business/commercial premises

Commercial property owners should contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 to discuss their individual situations. Corporate and large business owners may opt in to the program, but those clean-up costs will be borne by insurers or owners.

From Saturday 15 February, the Ulladulla Disaster Recovery Centre adjusted its opening hours as follows:

Ulladulla Disaster Recovery Centre
Ulladulla Civic Centre
81B Princes Highway, Ulladulla NSW

Monday and Tuesday: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00 - 5:30pm
Thursday and Friday: 9:00 - 4:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sunday: CLOSED

Weekday opening hours now close an hour earlier at 4:00pm, with the exception of Wednesday which is the busiest day. The centre is now open for an extra 30 minutes on Wednesdays to assist members of the community who struggle to access the centre during normal business hours or on weekends.

Due to registration numbers on weekends, the centre's opening hours are reduced on Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Advise will be provided if a decision is made to transition the centre to a more localised recovery assistance point. At this stage, the centre will remain open in its current form at the Ulladulla Civic Centre until Friday 13 March 2020.

13 February 2020

Lifeline has launched a new phone line 13 Help (13 43 57) specifically to support bushfire recovery.

For more support information visit:

• Getting Through Bushfires, Drought and Extreme Climate Events
• Helping Your Children Cope After A Bushfire
• Coping With Loss And Change In The Community After a Bushfire
• Coping With Grief And Loss

Many people will have found the recent bushfire events distressing or emotionally challenging. People can react in a variety of ways to these experiences.

Many people may experience sadness, sleep disturbance, fear or anxiety. It is important to understand that many competent, healthy, strong people will have similar feelings or responses. The response may be experienced immediately or sometimes much later.

Having distressing thoughts and feelings after such events is normal and not a sign of personal weakness. However, when these responses persist or significantly impact on your ability to return to your usual activities it may be necessary to seek additional support.

In particular, children absorb the tension, uncertainty, confusion and fear around them following traumatic events. Try to create a sense of calm. Reassure children that they are safe and that there is someone there to take care of them.

Recovery from exposure to traumatic events is often helped by talking it over with others. People who readily use formal and informal support from family, friends, clergy or other supports generally recover better from stressful situations - prevention is better than cure.

If you experience persistent issues (thoughts or feelings) that interfere with your life you are encouraged to talk to your General Practitioner or health care provider.

In NSW you can contact your local mental health service via the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.

Further information and resources are available on the NSW Health website.

For specific information on how to support children in response to this event, please see the following resource prepared by the Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network.