Bushfire Recovery Shoalhaven

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.

6 March 2020

Local organisations in bushfire affected communities are invited to apply for grant funding for grassroots community activities aimed at strengthening social connections, emotional wellbeing, resilience and to assist communities to recover and heal.

Under the Supporting the Mental Health of Australians Affected by Bushfires measure, funding of up to $10,000 is available for small to medium community groups and organisations.

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.

Practical support is available to all businesses affected by the NSW bushfires, from damaged or destroyed property to disrupted business and reduced income. For more information visit Disaster Assistance - Support for Small Businesses Affected by Bushfires.

Those worst-hit by bushfires in the South Coast can access 13 weeks' income support provided by the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Allowance.

The financial support is available to those who had lost their income as a direct result of the fires in the Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven, Central Coast, Mid-Western, Muswellbrook, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Upper Hunter and Wollondilly council areas.

Claims would be open from Wednesday, December 11.

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said anyone who had been out of work because of the fires should contact the Department of Human Services to check their eligibility.

"This lets people who can't earn an income because of the fires stay in their homes," Mr Littleproud said.

"It's going to take some time to rebuild and this will keep communities together while that happens.

"The Federal Government will keep standing shoulder-to-shoulder with these communities until they're back on their feet.

"We will make further support available for bushfire affected communities as it is needed."

Claims can be made at www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster or by calling 180 22 66.

More information on disaster assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

For more information or to make a claim visit www.humanservices.gov.au/disaster or call 180 22 66.

More information on disaster assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

4 February 2020

Thanks to the ongoing generosity, Red Cross announced additional immediate bushfire recovery financial assistance.

Injury Grant - A $7,500 payment for people who have spent two days or more in hospital as a result of physical injuries or mental health issues as a direct result of bushfires from July 2019.

Emergency Grant - A $20,000 payment to support people whose primary place of residence was destroyed. If you have received a previous payment there is no need to re-apply. Red Cross will contact you directly.

Primary Residence Repair Grant - A $5,000 payment for home owners whose homes have been structurally damaged and require repair to make them safe to live in.

Red Cross will continue to announce further bushfire assistance as people start to rebuild in their communities.

For more information visit Red Cross' Australian Bushfires - How We're Using Funds.