Category: NSW News

NSW BUSHFIRE RELATED UPDATES
$1 BILLION TO REBUILD BUSHFIRE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES IN NSW

• Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet yesterday announced $1 billion over the next two years to rebuild bushfire impacted communities across NSW.
• The additional funding will prioritise the repair and rebuilding of vital infrastructure, such as roads, rail-lines, bridges, schools, health facilities and communications facilities, which have been damaged or destroyed by bushfires.
• This announcement is on top of the NSW Government’s disaster assistance funding for this bushfire season of up to $231 million already committed.
• This includes;
  • $166 million to fight fires on top of the record 2019/20 RFS Budget.
  • $25 million to facilitate the clean-up of both insured and uninsured homes damaged or destroyed by the fires.
  • $23 million for grants of up to $15,000 for primary producers and small businesses to assist with clean-up and the replacement of infrastructure.
  • $6 million for additional mental health services for individuals, community groups and emergency services personnel.
  • $11 million to fund the Economic Recovery and Community Resilience Grants Program.

MOBILE CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE UNLIMITED ACCESS TO EMERGENCY SERVICES WEBSITES

• At the request of the NSW Government, major telecommunications providers including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have committed to providing unlimited access to emergency service websites for customers in bushfire-affected areas.
• This initiative will provide reassurance to those in bushfire affected areas who are able to check emergency service websites and apps via their mobile as many times as they need to.
• The initiative is in response to reports of a large number of customers receiving notifications that they were approaching their mobile data limits due to increased internet usage.

HOUSING SERVICE TO ASSIST BUSHFIRE RESPONSE

• A dedicated housing assistance service has been launched to support the urgent housing needs of residents impacted by the bushfires.
• Housing assistance available includes access to emergency accommodation, private rental bonds and advance rent payments.
• People impacted by the fires can access the service by:
  • calling the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line (DWAL) on 1800 018 444; or,
  • contacting or visiting a local Department of Communities and Justice Housing office.
• For more information about the Bushfire Housing Assistance Service, visit www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/families-and-communities/bushfire-housing-assistance-service/.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT DURING BUSHFIRE CRISIS

• The NSW Government is deploying teams of mental health clinicians to support people suffering from the bushfire crisis to help rebuild their lives.
• Specialist Bushfire Recovery Clinicians will work right across NSW to support individuals, carers and families. The clinicians are easily identified by their NSW Health fluorescent vests and add to the Disaster Welfare Services already being provided at Evacuation Centres throughout bushfire-affected areas.
• Encouraging people to turn to their friends, family and community for support is also critical. Maintaining social connections, having conversations and debriefing with community members is a crucial part of the recovery process.
• If day-to-day functioning is affected, local General Practitioners (GPs) and Mental Health Professionals are there to assist. A GP can formulate a Mental Health Treatment Plan which allows Medicare rebates for up to 10 mental health services per year under the Better Access scheme.
• The Mental Health and wellbeing of children may also be affected. The Australian Psychological Society has published guidelines for parents and caregivers https://www.psychology.org.au/Australian-bushfires-2020.
• The Disaster Welfare Assistance Line is also staffed with counselling support and can be accessed by phone on 1800 018 444.

COMMUNITY RECOVERY ASSISTANCE EXTENDED FOR BUSHFIRE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES IN SOUTHERN NSW

• Community recovery assistance has been extended for bushfire-hit communities in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Shoalhaven, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Mid-Western council areas.
• This will give farmers and small businesses in those LGAs recovery grants of up to $15,000.
• To apply for a recovery grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

ASSISTANCE ROLLS OUT AS STOCK LOSSES CONTINUE TO MOUNT

• The NSW Government has distributed more than 880 tonnes of fodder to bushfire affected farmers in south-east NSW, as the number of livestock reported killed or euthanised as a result of the fires rose to almost 5,200.
• Producers can report stock losses and infrastructure damage, or request animal assessment, or emergency fodder or water for stock, by calling the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.
• For assistance regarding the transport of donated fodder contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.

NEW FREE LEGAL SERVICE FOR BUSHFIRE VICTIMS

• Thousands of NSW residents impacted by the State’s devastating bushfires will be offered free legal help with the launch of the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW.
• Legal Aid NSW will operate the service, which will be available via its helpline 1800 801 529.

SPECIAL AUTHORITY TO BYPASS THE 3 DAY LIMIT FOR EMERGENCY PRESCRIPTIONS

• NSW Health has signed a special authority to bypass the 3 day (limit) rule for emergency prescriptions. This will mean pharmacists can supply normal pack sizes of non-PBS medicines. Opioids and other high-risk drugs still a need prescriptions via a doctor.
• Pharmacists can prescribe Ventolin based on their professional judgement.

OTHER NSW GOVERNMENT UPDATES
DIGITAL DRIVER’S LICENCE GOES GANGBUSTERS

• More than 1 million NSW motorists have downloaded the Digital Driver Licence (DDL) since it was officially launched on 3 November, accounting for almost 19 per cent of all licence holders.
• Starting with Australia Post over-the-counter parcel collections, NSW residents can expect to have their DDL accepted in more places in 2020, with a ‘copy solution’ being built to provide an alternative for checkers in situations where they are currently required to take a photocopy of a plastic driver licence.
• To get a DDL, licence holders will need to create a MyServiceNSW Account at www.service.nsw.gov.au and download the Service NSW mobile app on their smartphone. The digital licence will always be opt-in only.

NEW SYDNEY SPEEDWAY GETS INTO GEAR

• Sydney Motorsport Park has been chosen as the preferred location for the new Sydney speedway.
• An in-principle lease has been agreed to build a new speedway to the south of the Sydney Dragway at Eastern Creek.
• In 2019, Sydney Metro notified the Sydney Speedway leaseholder about the need for the site to be acquired in 2021, to stable the new driverless train fleet.

Two Service NSW Mobile Service Centres, including a new community focused bus, have today hit the road, providing much needed help to bushfire affected communities.
Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the custom-fitted buses are about taking Service NSW to the people, helping them replace critical documents lost in the fires.
“The buses have been fast tracked to the South Coast to help people in this time of emergency,” Mr Dominello said.
“Our friendly staff will be able to help customers replace critical identity and business documents lost in the bushfires.”
The buses will visit affected towns on the South Coast including Lake Conjola today at the Community Centre from 10am to 3pm and St George’s Basin on Friday between 10am and 3pm at a location to be confirmed.
Staff will be ready to help customers apply for lost or destroyed documents including:

• Free replacement of birth, marriage and change of name certificates from the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The registry will coordinate the replacement documents on a customers’ behalf, regardless of which state or territory in Australia, or New Zealand, they were born, married or changed their name;
•  Free replacement Transport for NSW products including driver licences, photo cards and boat licences;
•  Simplified proof of identity where customers no longer have all their identity documents;
•  Free replacement Fair Trading licences including those for contractors, the motor vehicle industry and the property licensing industry;
•  Free Owner Builder permits for customers who need to rebuild or repair their home due fire damage; and
•  In some instances, Revenue NSW may also refund stamp duty paid on replacement vehicles that were written off due to the fires.

There are four buses in total – one each for the northern, southern and western regions of the State, while a fourth bus launched today will be community focused and travel to areas affected by natural disasters.
The buses are cashless, with payment options including cheque, EFTPOS or credit card. The timetable will be updated on a regular basis and is subject to change. People affected by the bushfires can visit a bus, their local Service NSW Centre or call 13 77 88 on weekdays from 7am to 7pm.
Details on the bus timetables is at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/mobile-service-centres. There is also a dedicated page on the Service NSW website with links to various information and support services.
People can also contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance line on 1800 018 444 for immediate needs such as shelter, food or water. Further information is at https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/for-the-community/disaster-assistance/disaster-assistance.aspx

The NSW Government is deploying teams of mental health clinicians to support people suffering from the bushfire crisis to help rebuild their lives.
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said specialist Bushfire Recovery Clinicians will work right across NSW to support individuals, carers and families.
“We are delivering mental health support where and when it is needed most and we will be there for as long as it takes to help people recover from the devastating bushfires,” Mrs Taylor said.
“We want to ensure people in bushfire-affected communities can access appropriate and timely services to help with their mental health and wellbeing.
“I urge anyone suffering as a result of the bushfires to reach out to the clinicians on the ground for support.”
The clinicians are easily identified by their NSW Health fluorescent vests and add to the Disaster Welfare Services already being provided at Evacuation Centres throughout bushfire-affected areas.
The clinicians will help build community resilience and focus on vulnerable people.
The Disaster Welfare Assistance Line is also staffed with counselling support and can be accessed by phone on 1800 018 444.
More help can be accessed via:

• NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511
• Lifeline on 131114
• Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
• Mensline on 1300 789 978 or
• Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800

NSW Police have confirmed 20 people have lost their lives this bushfire season,
A 77-year-old man at Coongbar on 9 October 2019;
A 68-year-old woman at Coongbar on 9 October 2019;
A 69-year-old woman at Diehard on 8 November 2019;
An 85-year-old man at Diehard on 8 November 2019;
A 63-year-old woman at Johns River on 8 November 2019;
A 58-year-old man at Willawarrin on 8 November 2019;
A 64-year-old man at South Arm on 9 November 2019;
A 32-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Buxton on 19 December 2019;
A 35-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Buxton on 19 December 2019;
A 59-year-old man at Royal North Shore Hospital on 29 December 2019, after sustaining injuries on 7 November 2019 at Yarrowitch;
A 28-year-old man (RFS volunteer) at Jingellic on 30 December 2019;
A 63-year-old man at Wandella on 30 December 2019;
A 29-year-old man at Wandella on 30 December 2019;
A 70-year-old man at Yatte Yattah on 31 December 2019;
Believed to be a 56-year-old man at Coolagolite on 31 December 2019 (not yet formally identified);
A 72-year-old man at Belowra on 31 December 2019;
A 75-year-old man at Yatte Yattah on 1 January 2019;
A 62-year-old man at Sussex Inlet on 1 January 2020;
A 47-year-old man at Batlow on 4 January 2020;
A 71-year-old man at Nerrigundah, found on 6 January 2020.

Thousands of NSW residents impacted by the State’s devastating bushfires will be offered free legal help with the launch of the Disaster Response Legal Service NSW.
Attorney General Mark Speakman said Legal Aid NSW will operate the service, which will be available via its helpline 1800 801 529.
“In the face of the worst bushfire crisis in our nation’s history, we have seen friends and neighbours come together to protect their communities and support those who have suffered terrible losses,” Mr Speakman said.
“I am very grateful to the private legal community for joining the recovery effort by standing together with Legal Aid NSW and community legal centres to offer pro-bono services for people facing legal issues as a result of the bushfires.”
Legal Aid NSW CEO Brendan Thomas said a partnership between his organisation, community legal centres, the Law Society of NSW and the NSW Bar Association will provide invaluable help to people impacted by the bushfires.
“Individuals, households and business people can call a single hotline for legal advice from the Disaster Response Legal Service, from which they will be referred to an appropriate lawyer – whether they’re from Legal Aid or the private legal profession,” Mr Thomas said.
Law Society President Richard Harvey said more than 200 lawyers and firms have already offered pro-bono services and encouraged others to follow suit.
“In the face of expected immense demand for legal advice in the wake of this disaster, our profession is on standby to provide support to our communities. The Law Society is honoured to be able to play a role in facilitating this,” Mr Harvey said.
“This means fire-affected owners of farms and businesses who might not be eligible for Legal Aid will be able to access free quality legal advice to help them rebuild after the disaster.”
This announcement builds on the work of Legal Aid’s disaster response service that has been operating since 2010 across NSW. This service has already provided legal assistance throughout the bushfire season for people navigating insurance claims, tenancy issues, financial hardship, social security entitlements and employment issues.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today announced $1 billion over the next two years to rebuild bushfire impacted communities across NSW.
The additional funding will prioritise the repair and rebuilding of vital infrastructure, such as roads, rail-lines, bridges, schools, health facilities and communications facilities, which have been damaged or destroyed by bushfires.
“This money will provide an immediate source of funding to ensure key infrastructure is restored so that communities can get back on their feet as soon as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The bushfire season is far from over but we know how important it is for communities to start the recovery process where possible.
Mr Perrottet said the $1 billion fund would ensure recovery work could commence without delay and will also have a secondary benefit of stimulating local economies hit hard by bushfires.
“This money will help fast track the recovery process and will also provide an important economic boost to communities doing it tough.”
“Nobody can undo what is done, but what we can do is ensure these communities have every chance and opportunity to get back to business and start rebuilding as soon as possible,” Mr Perrottet said.
“With fires impacting communities all across the state, we know the task is enormous but the NSW Government will do whatever it takes to help repair the damage and rebuild communities.”
This announcement is on top of the NSW Government’s disaster assistance funding for this bushfire season of up to $231 million already committed.
This includes;

• $166 million to fight fires on top of the record 2019/20 RFS Budget
• $25 million to facilitate the clean-up of both insured and uninsured homes damaged or destroyed by the fires.
• $23 million for grants of up to $15,000 for primary producers and small businesses to assist with clean-up and the replacement of infrastructure
• $6 million for additional mental health services for individuals, community groups and emergency services personnel
• $11 million to fund the Economic Recovery and Community Resilience Grants Program.

Ms Berejiklian said following initial discussions with the Federal Government, it has been confirmed that the Federal Government contribution will focus on direct payments to individuals, small business and local councils.
“The NSW Government’s focus will be to rebuild and where appropriate, improve the infrastructure,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Anthony Roberts today announced the appointment of Mr Dick Adams as Recovery Coordinator for Southern NSW.
Fires have already significantly impacted many communities across Northern NSW and recovery operations have been underway there since Mr Euan Ferguson began as Recovery Coordinator for the region in early November.
More recent fires have devastated communities in Southern NSW and it is appropriate that an additional Recovery Coordinator is appointed to work with local government and communities to ensure they can get back on their feet as quickly as possible.
“The fires in Southern NSW have devastated many communities. They will have our full support in the days, weeks, months and even years ahead as they recover from these tragic events,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“While damage assessments are ongoing and hampered by active fires, it is clear that many properties have been destroyed and it is appropriate to appoint Mr Adams immediately to ensure recovery operations begin as soon as possible.”
Mr Roberts said Mr Adams’ stewardship would ensure a coordinated and consistent recovery effort.
“Mr Adams retired as a Deputy Commissioner after 35 years in the NSW Police Force. He was a former State Emergency Operations Controller and has extensive experience as a recovery coordinator having led the bushfire recovery efforts in Wyong, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens in 2013,” Mr Roberts said.
If you have been impacted by the bushfires and require emergency support, please contact the Disaster Welfare Line on 1800 018 444.

Police are appealing for information following an armed robbery of a business in Raymond Terrace today.
About 12pm (Wednesday 1 January 2020), a man entered a grocery store on Benjamin Lee Drive and approached the counter.
The man, armed with a small axe, instructed a female attendant to open the cash register, and she complied.
The man stole cash before fleeing on foot across Benjamin Lee Drive in a south westerly direction.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District were called and established a crime scene.
The man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged between 16 and 20 years old and 170 to 175cm tall. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie pulled over his head, black track pants, black slip on canvass shoes, yellow gloves and had his face covered. He was carrying a small black backpack.
Anyone with information about this man or this incident are urged to contact Raymond Terrace Police Station on 02 4983 7599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Volunteer firefighters will receive financial support from the Morrison Government for loss of income, where they have been called out for extended periods of service.
Rural Fire Service Volunteers in NSW who are self-employed or work for small and medium businesses, and who have been called out for more than 10 days this fire season, will be able to apply for the payments.
The payments will provide for lost income of up to $300 per day up to a total of up to $6,000 per person.
These payments are tax free and will not be means-tested, but are targeted to those most likely to suffer lost income by volunteering for extended periods of time.
For most, this will represent the equivalent of at least 20 days’ emergency leave for employees of small and medium sized businesses and volunteers who are self employed.
The Prime Minister says this will include farmers, small business owners, tradies and contract workers in rural and regional areas who have been hit especially hard by this fire season.
“Earlier this week I announced the Federal Government would be providing paid leave for up to four weeks for Commonwealth public servants fighting these devastating fires.
“This announcement provides employees of small and medium sized businesses and self employed volunteers with the same level of support.
“We expect larger companies to provide their employees with 20 days of emergency services leave.”
The Australian Government will cover the costs of the grant payments. The NSW Government will administer the payments.
Other State and Territory governments are invited to enter into a similar scheme based on their assessment of need and the demands on their volunteer effort from their own fire seasons. Other requests for assistance will be assessed on their merits.
“I know that our volunteer firefighters in NSW are doing it tough, especially in rural and regional areas. The season started early and has a long way to go.
“The early and prolonged nature of this fire season has made a call beyond what is typically made on our volunteer fire fighters.
“While I know RFS volunteers don’t seek payment for their service, I don’t want to see volunteers or their families unable to pay bills, or struggle financially as a result of the selfless contribution they are making.
“This is not about paying volunteers. It is about sustaining our volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss. It’s targeted and is the result of a direct request and consultation with the NSW RFS and NSW Government, following the Commonwealth’s announcement of increased emergency services leave for Commonwealth public servants earlier this week.
“As I have said on many occasions – we take our advice on what is needed and what the priorities are from the organisations running the operational response. That’s what we are doing here.
“The fire chiefs and state and territory governments know they have our full support.
“We’ve already got our Defence Forces providing helicopter search and rescue, ground transport, accommodation, meals and re-fuelling. We’ve boosted our support for water bombing planes and helicopters by $11 million.
“Disaster recovery payments of $23 million have also flowed to affected families and businesses with more to come.”
These arrangements have been put in place for this financial year only. Any longer term arrangements will be considered by leaders at the COAG meeting in March, after there has been proper opportunity to assess the most recent fire season.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government has a strong record of standing side by side with RFS volunteers, many of whom have been on the front line fighting fires for weeks, and in some cases, months.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the brave volunteers who are putting their lives at risk to protect the community,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The NSW Government already provides unlimited paid leave to all state public service employees who volunteer with the RFS or the other emergency services.
“On top of that, NSW public service employees are able to take rest leave to allow time for their recovery before returning to work.
“NSW has committed more than $166 million in additional natural disaster funding this bushfire season over and above our record firefighting budget.
“We are now pleased to provide administrative support to the Commonwealth to compensate our brave volunteers for loss of income.”
Minister for Natural Disasters and Emergency Services, David Littleproud, said volunteer firefighters personify the Australian Spirit.
“This is a helping hand from the Federal Government for those giving to their community through an extreme fire season.”
“These payments will help support volunteer fire fighters financially for all the support they’ve provided their communities.”
Payments are expected to be available before the end of January 2020.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott today announced the arrival of seven new Class 2 patrol vessels for the NSW Police Force Marine Area Command.
This is a modern state of the art fleet representing a record $24 million investment by the NSW Government in maritime law enforcement along the entire NSW coastline and harbour systems.
“These patrol vessels will greatly enhance the operational capabilities of the Marine Area Command. The NSW Government is committed to ensuring the NSW Police Force has the resources and equipment needed to keep our communities and waterways safe.” Mr Elliott said.
The vessels were officially unveiled today during a commissioning ceremony at the Marine Area Command in Balmain. NSW Police Force Commissioner Mick Fuller said the vessels are larger and are a greatly improved version of the retiring fleet.
“These Class 2 patrol vessels have been specifically designed to carry out search and rescue operations, marine enforcement activities and to respond to organised crime on the water. The new vessels are safer for the open water and can travel 900 nautical miles out to sea for up to five days,” Commissioner Fuller said.
Each vessel is equipped with a five-metre aluminium boarding vessel constructed into the stern which allows for medical evacuations at sea and the boarding of suspicious vessels entering Australia’s maritime corridors into NSW coastal waters.
The vessels feature the newest technology including a forward looking infra-red (FLIR) camera to assist police crews search for lost mariners or detect crime threats.  The navigation and electronics are supported by the NSW Police Force integrated telecommunication and satellite systems.
The new vessels replace the aging 2005 Class 2 patrol vessels but will sail under their predecessors’ names: Alert, Falcon, Fearless, Intrepid, Vanguard, Victor and Vigilant. They will be located in Broken Bay, Sydney, Botany Bay, Eden, Port Kembla, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Tweed Heads and Coffs Harbour.