The NSW Government organise and coordinate disaster management through the Office of Emergency Management. At this stage we are playing a supporting role and awaiting their advice.
The Fire Recovery Centre and the Disaster Welfare Assistance Points are now closed in the Nambucca Valley area. There is an OEM representative sitting in Council until the end of March.
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.
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.
N.B. Council has appointed a Bushfire Recovery Coordinator, Rhiannon Treasure-Brand, who can be contacted at council or via mobile: 0418 206 748
Phase 2 Grant - $1,500 - for bushfire damaged properties: This Phase 2 grant is now open. It was approved by Council at the meeting of February 27. There will be a mail out to all properties in the fire affected area, with cover letter and application form. This grant of $1,500 is open for any property which incurred damage as a direct result of the Kian Road bushfire. The application contains the full eligibility criteria. Applications will close on 30 June 2020.
Bushfire Resilience and Readiness Program – $2,500 grant for owners of properties with destroyed homes: Nambucca Valley Council secured an additional $250,000 funding from the Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund (BCRERF). This is a joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Fund, the aim of which is to improve bushfire resilience and readiness for properties where houses were destroyed in the Kian Road bushfire. The grant program provides funding to the owners of these properties to purchase bushfire prevention and bushfire mitigation measures.Information on the grant program and an application form will be mailed out directly to affected property owners.
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
Refund or waiving of 3rd and 4th installment rate payments: People who have lost their home or business will be able to have their 3rd and 4th rates installment notices waived, or refunded if already paid. Council will automatically apply this payment to ratepayers' accounts without you needing to do anything.
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/
Potable water: The water standpipe that has been open for potable water free of charge has now closed. For residents who lost their water tanks during the Kian Road bushfire and have yet to get them replaced, you can get a rebate from council on the cost of the water to fill them when the tank arrives. This will be managed by application.
Free waste disposal for bushfire affected rubbish: Residents of fire-affected properties can dispose of their fire-affected waste at the Nambucca Waste Management Facility. This includes asbestos, however it must be wrapped and treated according to standard regulation (able to be handled manually). If asbestos is burnt or melted or by the truckload you will need a licensed assessor or removalist with a “Class A: Friable License”. NB. Asbestos disposal must be pre-booked with 24hrs notice. Call 02 6568 2170 to make a booking.
NB. NSW SafeWork have a tool for finding licenced asbestos removal contractors: https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/asbestos-and-demolition-licence-holders If returning to your property, pleaes read the .pdf information brochure Safework Property Hazards Following Bushfire.
Refund or waiving of 3rd and 4th installment rate payments: People who have lost their home or business will be able to have their 3rd and 4th rates installment notices waived, or refunded if already paid. Council will automatically apply this payment to ratepayers' accounts without you needing to do anything.
Also, there will be no penalty for late payment of rates and no interest charged for the time being.
Replacement bins: Please contact Coffs Coast Waste Services on 1800 265 295 and they will deliver replacement bins as soon as they are able to free of charge.
Removal of unsafe trees: If a tree has fallen and is blocking a Council road, please call the main Council number 02 6568 2555.
Development Application: Council will waive development application fees for fire affected people. 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.
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.
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;
Nambucca Valley Council Bushfire Relief Appeal background and further information
Nambucca Valley Council's Bushfire Relief Appeal - Terms of Reference for Committee Members
