Bushfire Recovery Shoalhaven

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This page aims to support our community through the recovery phase of the impacts from the recent bushfires and to prepare us for the next emergency/bushfire season.

If you have been affected, there is a range of assistance for you. Council is working in partnership with emergency services, State and Federal government agencies, charities and others to deliver this assistance.

For detailed information about the assistance available refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and Important Links on this webpage.

You can call Council's 4429 5888 helpline dedicated to bushfire recovery assistance, during business hours.

Recovery services can also be accessed

This page aims to support our community through the recovery phase of the impacts from the recent bushfires and to prepare us for the next emergency/bushfire season.

If you have been affected, there is a range of assistance for you. Council is working in partnership with emergency services, State and Federal government agencies, charities and others to deliver this assistance.

For detailed information about the assistance available refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and Important Links on this webpage.

You can call Council's 4429 5888 helpline dedicated to bushfire recovery assistance, during business hours.

Recovery services can also be accessed through Service NSW on 13 77 88 from 7am to 7pm every day or online at www.service.nsw.gov.au for locations of Service NSW, and Mobile Service Centres. If you'd prefer, you can contact an agency directly.

Clean up: Register now
Insured and uninsured residential and eligible commercial property owners must register at www.service.nsw.gov.au or call 13 77 88 to be included in the government-supported cleanup program.

Updated 23 February 2021

  • Today Show Video - Apply for Grants Now!

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    03 Jun 2020
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    Recovery financial support is still available

    Mayor Amanda Findley caught up with Tim Davies from the Today Show to encourage bushfire affected residents to reach out for recovery financial support, as some grant funding closes on 30 June 2020.


    Update - Red Cross have announced they have extended grant applications until 31 August 2020.


    Video - Amanda Findley speaks with Tim Davies about recovery grants


  • Mayoral Relief Fund - Apply Now!

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    27 May 2020
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    27 May 2020

    Mayor Amanda Findley opened the Mayoral Relief Fund in response to the Shoalhaven bushfires. The good will of the community has been amazing and donations are still being received and funds are still avaliable.

    You could be eligible if you are:

    • a full-time resident in the Shoalhaven (including renters), and whose home, infrastructure or outbuildings have been damaged or destroyed
    • a tradesperson , including apprentices, who have had vehicles, equipment, or tools damaged or destroyed.

    If you were directly impacted by the bushfires, and are in need of financial assistance, please apply for a payment by:

    - submitting an online application form on the Mayoral Relief Fund Get Involved webpage

    - sending an application form published in the 'Document Library' to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au

    or by mail to:

    - The Chief Executive Officer Shoalhaven City Council
    PO Box 42 Nowra NSW 2541

  • 2019-20 Bushfire History Project

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    21 May 2020
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    The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements has launched the 2019-20 Bushfire History Project to document the recent bushfires for the future.

    During the Commission's community forums, many people shared stories, videos and photos taken during the fires. Each story is unique. It is also part of our national history.

    The Commission's 2019-20 Bushfire History Project is an opportunity for people to record their personal experience to form part of Australia's historical record.

    The Commission invites people to submit videos or photographs taken during the bushfires or the ongoing recovery.
    People can also submit a short video account explaining what they experienced during the bushfires.

    The collection of videos and photographs will be catalogued to allow future generations to understand what happened during the 2019-20 bushfires and the affect these fires had on our nation and its people.

    In some cases, material collected as part of the 2019-20 Bushfire History Project may also be considered for use in evidence. The Commission will seek permission from individual contributors prior to using material as evidence.

    For further information about how to submit a video or photographs visit the 2019-2020 Bushfire History Project webpage.

    The Commissioners and Commission staff have also recorded a video for your veiwing.

  • Recovery Newsletter - 21 May 2020

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    21 May 2020
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    The weekly Recovery Newsletter was developed to keep the community up-to-date on the important work the Recovery Action Team are undertaking. To view the latest issue visit Recovery Newsletter - 21 May 2020.

    Previous issues can be found in the Weekly Recover Newsletter Folder in the Document Library on this page.

  • Red Cross Assistance Update - 19 May 2020

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    19 May 2020
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    Type of assistance
    		 Who is eligible
    		 How to access it
    Bereavement Grant
    $20,000
    		 Identified senior next-of-kin of people who have died in the fires
    		 We are in direct contact with senior next-of-kin. For more information, call 1800 733 276.
    Emergency Grant
    Up to $20,000 is available per household
    		 People whose primary place of residence has been destroyed or rendered permanently uninhabitable (i.e. has been or must be demolished) by bushfires since July 2019.
    		 Apply at redcross.org.au/grants (you will need proof of ID, address and bank details) If your documents have been damaged or lost in the fires and cannot be replaced, please phone 1800 RED CROSS (1800 733 276).
    Primary Residence Repair Grant
    $5,000 per household
    		 Home owners whose primary place of residence has not been destroyed but needs structural repairs (i.e. walls, ceilings, windows) or repairs to private water, septic or power infrastructure to make it safe to return home.
    		 Apply at redcross.org.au/grants (you will need proof of ID, address and bank details) If your documents have been damaged or lost in the fires and cannot be replaced, please phone 1800 RED CROSS (1800 733 276). Eligibility for this grant has been extended to include repairs to critical private water or power infrastructure (i.e. water tanks, generators) or septic systems.
    Injury Grant
    $7,500 per person
    		 People who were hospitalised for two or more days as the direct result of physical injuries or mental health issues caused by the fires and are experiencing financial hardship as a result. Hospital admission needs to have occurred within two weeks of the bushfire starting.
    		 Apply at redcross.org.au/grants (you will need proof of ID, bank details, evidence of hospital admission and discharge) If your documents have been damaged or lost in the fires and cannot be replaced, please phone 1800 RED CROSS (1800 733 276).
    Re-establishment Grant
    $30,000 per household for home owner occupiers
    $10,000 per household for people who were renting a home or whose primary place of residence was a caravan or mobile home (Formerly known as the Rebuild Grant)
    		 People whose primary place of residence has been destroyed or rendered permanently uninhabitable (i.e. has been or must be demolished) by bushfires since July 2019. This grant helps people to find somewhere safe to live in the medium to long term. It could help with rebuilding, renting, finding interim or retirement housing, or purchasing a caravan or mobile home.
    		 Apply at redcross.org.au/grants (New applicants will need proof of ID, bank details, address, evidence of being the owner occupier)
    If you’ve already received a Red Cross grant, we won’t ask you to provide information that you’ve already given us. When completing the application form you only need to let us know if you have changed your bank account since you last received a Red Cross grant).
    If you have already received the Rebuild Grant ($20k), we will contact you to let you know that an extra $10k is available to you.












    Please note: Applications for the above grants will remain open until 31 August 2020.

    For more information please visit the full Factsheet published in the Document Library on this we page.

  • Free Virtual Support Drop-in Centres for Local Businesses

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    15 May 2020
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    Ernst & Young (EY), in partnership with State Government, are launching free virtual Business Support Drop-In Centres to deliver support to local businesses.

    The recent bushfire devastation in regional NSW, combined with the COVID-19 crisis, has amplified the need for tailored and intensive support for small and medium sized businesses in the bushfire-affected communities.

    EY are launching free virtual ‘Business Support Drop-In Centres’ to deliver this support to local businesses. EY staff will work alongside community representatives to provide intensive, tailored support to help businesses move from the immediate response phase into a mid-term recovery phase.

    These centres will kick off in the week commencing 18 May 2020 and are supported by the NSW Government. The virtual centres will initially operate for 10 weeks in Kangaroo Valley/Southern Shoalhaven.

    If you are a local business and need support, or know of a business that might benefit from this opportunity please send an email to joanna@gssnet.com.au for further information.

  • Recovery Newsletter - 15 May 2020

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    15 May 2020
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    The weekly Recovery Newsletter was developed to keep the community up-to-date on the important work the Recovery Action Team are undertaking. To view the latest issue visit Recovery Newsletter - 15 May 2020.

    Previous issues can be found in the Weekly Recover Newsletter Folder in the Document Library on this page.

  • Wildlife Feeding and Water Station Motion Censored Cameras

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    18 May 2020
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    Following the devastating flora and fauna loss from the bushfires, feeding and water stations were set up with remote camera surveillance in late February.

    This footage has aided in research, providing researchers with a better understanding of the animals in the area, with cameras deployed in Manyana, Kangaroo Valley, Corramy Reserve and Tomerong. Kangaroos (Eastern Grey), Wallabies (Swamp & Red-Necked), Brush-tailed possums, Wombats, and an array of birds including Ravens, Bowerbirds, Parrots, magpies and ducks have been spotted.

    Council continues to conduct surveys and collaborates with NSW Agencies.

    View some of the footage here.

  • Resilient Australia Awards

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    29 Apr 2020
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    Are you part of a team or group building resilience in your community?

    Could your story inspire someone else?

    The Resilient Australia Awards celebrate initiatives across Australia that help make communities more resilient to disasters. The awards recognise collaboration and innovative thinking across all sectors. Winning submissions in each state and territory are considered for National awards.

    The 2020 Resilient Australia Awards are open for submissions until Monday 8 June 2020.

    For more information about the awards, including how to make a submission, visit the Resilient Australia Awards webpage.

  • NSW Get Ready Community Awards

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    13 May 2020
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    13 May 2020

    Have you made your community stronger and better prepared for disasters?

    The NSW Get Ready Community Award celebrates a NSW community that has worked together to make their community more prepared and better able to recover from disasters.

    Applications can be submitted by local organisations, volunteer groups, community organisations or local council, on behalf of the community.

    Applications are open until 5 July 2020.

    For more information, including how to apply, visit the NSW Get Ready Community Award webpage, call 02 9212 9283 or GetReadyNSW@justice.nsw.gov.au.