Bushfire Recovery General Information and Fact Sheets

The NSW Government organise and coordinate disaster management through Resilience NSW, which used to be the Office of Emergency Management. Coordinated by Resilience NSW, there is a regional recovery network in place to support recovery at a local level, as well as a national framework under the National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

Our local bushfire recovery workers include;

Rhiannon Treasure-Brand has been appointed as a Community Recovery Officer, funded by the NSW Government to help coordinate activities and programs that contribute to the community’s recovery and resilience. Rhiannon continues to work in rehousing our displaced residents, providing support and advocacy and linking across NGOs and government. Email: Rhiannon.Treasure-Brand@nambucca.nsw.gov.au or phone 0418 206 748

Alison Laverty, Bushfire Recovery Officer appointed by Council under funding from the Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund (BCRERF). This is a joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Fund. Alison has a background in case management work and building community resilience. Alison can link you with local services and help support community-based activities. You can contact Alison via email; Alison.Laverty@nambucca.nsw.gov.au or phone 0418 377 430

Josh Foster appointed by the DPI has a rural background, supported by the Rural Resilience program, and is here to help residents from the Nambucca Valley area with practical and personal support, link you with services and assist in decision making. You can contact Josh via email: joshua.foster@dpi.nsw.gov.au or phone: 0417 467 436

Peter Connie is the Mental Health Clinician appointed by Local Health and is here to specifically help people from our bushfire impacted community. You can contact Peter directly on: 0480 253 962

Services NSW: Many bushfire related queries are channelled through Services NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service on 13 77 88 or visit; www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/bushfire-customer-care-service. Our local Services NSW contact is Lena Jones.


Office of Emergency Management's Recovery Newsletters

These newsletters contain information on State and Federal Government initiatives, including grants, welfare assistance, clean-up procedures, insurance contacts and other.

If returning to your property, please read the .pdf information brochure Safework Property Hazards Following Bushfire.

Council's Local Community Newsletters

These newsletters contain information on local volunteer actions, a list of charitable organisations offering financial assistance and how to apply, council initiatives and bushfire related upcoming events.

Council Assistance Measures


Building assistance
If you lost your home in the Kian Rd fire and are unsure about the next step to take in order to rebuild on your property, please contact Rhiannon (0418 206 748) or Alison (0418 377 430). We are looking to make individual property assessment appointments, using professional expertise (free-of-charge) to assist with your rebuild.

Development Application: Council is donating DA fees for people who lost their home as well as for those who lost a shed where a DA is required. These fees and charges include but are not limited to development application fees; complying development fees; s68 application fees, construction certificates fees; advertising and notification fees; inspection fees; and Section 7.12 developer contributions (where applicable).. Council will also provide copies of prior plans and documents with no administration fees, where available. Please call Lisa Hall (Technical Officer Development and Environment) on 6568 2555 to discuss the application process and your specific needs.

Payments of rates for 1st and 2nd  installment for 2020/21
People who lost their home or business or were damaged beyond repair according to the NSW Rural Fire Service will have their 1st and 2nd rates installments paid by Services NSW. Council has been notified that these payments were processed on 19 November 2020. If you had already paid your rates, the Services NSW payment will appear as a credit on your rates notice.


Road numbers: Council has ordered reflective road numbers for those properties that were destroyed in the Kian Rd fire. Council will be in touch when these are available for collection. If you didn’t lose your home but did lose your road number, let us know and we will order a new one for you.

Bushfire Relief Appeal: The Council has also established its own tax deductible donations fund to support residents who have been directly impacted by the Kian Road bushfire. Donations can be made via the following link: www.nambucca.nsw.gov.au/bushfire-appeal/

Expenditure of $1million federal government funding: Public submission process: The final program for the expenditure of $1m in Commonwealth funding, after all public submissions were processed, was put to the 27 February Council meeting. It has now been adopted. Anybody wishing to read the final recommendations can find it with the Council meeting minutes at: https://nambucca.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/default/page.asp?p=DOC-KUT-82-76-57
 

Other Items of Interest

Regional Disaster Preparedness Program: After living through, one, two or even more recent disasters, many people have questions about preparedness for the future, or what preparations are already in place for disaster management. The state government organisation, Resilience NSW, is running a program working with communities and councils to try to address these concerns.

National Bushfire Recovery Agency (NBRA): Real stories from real people help others to know that recovery is possible when we work together. If you have a local story that could help other affected communities on their road to recovery, you might like to share them with the NBRA at: Communications@bushfirerecovery.gov.au

NSW Government planning changes - installation of a moveable dwelling: People whose homes have been badly damaged in a bushfire can install a moveable dwelling, such as a caravan, on land without council approval for up to two years. If a person wishes to stay in the moveable dwelling beyond two years, council approval will be needed. A movable dwelling is defined under the Local Government Act and can include a tent, caravan or van used for human habitation. It can also include a manufactured home, which is a self-contained dwelling that is designed to be moved from one position to another.

Council Media Releases

Key Federal and State Government Assistance

Most services and government grants are now being coordinated through Service NSW. People affected by the fire are encouraged to call 13 77 88 and the NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service will help you navigate the support and financial assistance that's available across all levels of government.

Some examples of the types of support available include;

Some grant information pages

How can I help those affected by the bushfires? Donate to Nambucca Valley Council's Bushfire Relief Appeal

Many wonderful people are asking what is the best way to help those affected by the NSW bushfires?
 
The best way to help our impacted communities is to donate money. Please DO NOT donate physical goods such as toys, furniture and clothes at this time. They are usually not needed and fill up community spaces and take volunteers away from other important tasks. If you have goods to donate, consider having a garage sale and donating the proceeds instead.
 
If you are ready to donate money, please consider our Nambucca Valley Council Bushfire Relief Appeal.
 
All donations received from this Appeal will go towards residents or groups directly affected by the Kian Road Fire disaster. No funds from donations will go towards administration or other non charitable purpose. 
 
 
 
Further information will be posted to this page as it becomes available. 

 

 

 

Nambucca Valley Council Bushfire Relief Appeal Background

Nambucca Valley Council Bushfire Relief Appeal background and further information

Nambucca Valley Council Bushfire Relief Appeal Terms of Reference

Nambucca Valley Council's Bushfire Relief Appeal - Terms of Reference for Committee Members