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Bushfire Recovery Assistance

NSW Bushfires 2019-2020

A range of assistance measures are available to support people affected by bushfires. These are aimed at providing for immediate and short term needs, to support recovery from the bushfires across NSW.
Please note, a number of these measures have eligibility requirements.
For information on how to help bushfire affected communities view our how to donate to the bushfire appeals page.
Immediate emergency assistance – can be accessed through Evacuation Centres and Disaster Welfare Assistance Points.
Call 1800 018 444 or visit www.emergency.nsw.gov.au.
Emergency Temporary Accommodation – short term housing support.
Contact the Housing Contact Centre on 1800 422 322.
Clean-up assistance – for the removal and disposal of residential bush fire debris including asbestos, concrete slabs and dangerous trees.

  • Insured home owners – contact your insurance company or the Insurance Council of Australia on 1800 734 621.
  • Uninsured home owners – contact Public Works Advisory on 1800 88 55 39.

Animal Welfare – provision of emergency fodder, stock water and stock assessment.
Contact Local Land Services on 1800 814 647.
Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Payment – $1,000 per adult and $400 per child for people severely affected by bushfires.
Contact Human Services on 180 22 66.
Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Allowance – short term income assistance for people severely affected by bushfires.
Contact Human Services on 180 22 66.
NSW Government Disaster Relief Grants – financial assistance for eligible individuals who have low income and limited assets.
Contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.
Primary producer assistance – up to $15,000 recovery grants (33 LGAs only), concessional loans and transport subsidies for eligible primary producers.
Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 2800 678 593.
Small business  assistance – up to $15,000 recovery grants (33 LGAs only), and concessional loans for eligible small businesses.
Contact  the  NSW  Rural  Assistance  Authority  on 1800 678 593.
Legal assistance – Legal Aid can provide free assistance on issues such as insurance policies, employment, tenancy, credit and debt.
Contact LawAccess NSW on 1300 888 529.
Potable Water Assistance – replacement of potable water for residents not on town water supply where RFS has taken water or contaminated roofs with fire retardant.
Contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.
Mental health and wellbeing assistance – 24/7 assistance for individuals.

  • Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
  • Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
  • Lifeline – 13 11 14
  • Mensline – 1300 789 978
  • Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000.
Farm Gate counsellors – farmers and business owners in bushfire affected areas can access Farm Gate counsellors and peer support workers.
Contact the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511.
Volunteer Firefighters’ Financial Support – payments for eligible volunteer firefighters who are self-employed or employed by a small or medium business and have lost income.
Contact Service NSW at www.service.nsw.gov.au.
Sporting club assistance – concessional loans for eligible sporting clubs.
Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.
Church and non-profit organisation assistance – up to $15,000 recovery grants (33 LGAs only) concessional loans for eligible churches and non-profit organisations.
Contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.
Motor vehicle stamp duty relief  –  financial assistance for eligible motorists whose cars have been written off as a result of bushfires.
Contact the Office of State Revenue on 1300 139 814.
Replacement of documents  –  free replacement of licences, permits and certificates, including birth, marriage and change of name certificates and NSW Fair Trading permits and licences.
Contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
Waste disposal – the levy for waste disposal has been waived in bushfire affected LGAs.
Contact your local council for more information.

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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.
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.

$1 BILLION TO REBUILD BUSHFIRE IMPACTED COMMUNITIES IN NSW

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.

Three arrested after pursuit in alleged stolen car – Lake Macquarie

Three people involved in a pursuit have been arrested during a proactive policing operation in the Lake Macquarie region today.
“Precision Policing” is a locally run proactive police operation in the Lake Macquarie region targeting property offences including stolen motor vehicles, steal from motor vehicles and break and enters.
About 11.05am (Wednesday 8 January 2020), officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District observed a blue Ford Territory, suspected stolen, travelling south on the Pacific Highway at Belmont.
The vehicle initially stopped for police on Maude Street before the driver sped away.
Officers commenced a short pursuit before it was terminated by police.
Shortly after, police observed the driver and two others, walking south along the Pacific Highway. They were arrested and taken to Belmont Police Station.
The driver of the vehicle, a woman aged 23, was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit – not stop – drive recklessly, never licensed person drive vehicle on road, possess prescribed restricted substance and goods in personal custody suspected being stolen.
She was refused bail to appear in Newcastle Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 9 January 2020).
A female passenger, aged 31, was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and one outstanding warrant.
She was refused bail and appeared in Belmont Local Court today (Wednesday 8 January 2020).
A second passenger, a man aged 30, was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, possess prohibited drug and resist officer in execution of duty.
He was refused bail to appear in Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 22 January 2020.

How to donate to the bushfire appeals

Our community rallies in times of need. As the bush fire situation continues nationally, our generous community is asking how they can best donate to people affected by the fires and to our frontline emergency services.
Our hearts go out to those that have endured the tragedy of loss of life and property.

How can you help?

Monetary donations are the best way to help right now, providing more flexibility than the donation of material items.
If you want to do your bit, please make sure you are donating to a registered, reputable charity. Some of these are:

Thank you to all our amazing firefighters and volunteers and to all Novocastrians for their generous support of these bushfire appeals.

How is Council assisting?

In December City of Newcastle committed $1.8m to the construction of a new local emergency operations centre so that various emergency agencies can together coordinate a city wide response to a natural disaster when required.
Our council is ready to assist and we have plant and people available to assist those communities that are either fighting for their lives or dealing with the tragedy of a clean up.
City of Newcastle will be joining with the NSW Government, making its resources available as part of a Bushfire Council Coordination Service offering assistance and support for fire affected local areas.

$200,000 FUNDING BOOST FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon has announced $200,000 worth of funding for local schools through the new Local Schools Community Fund program. The list of successful schools are below.
The number of applications received in Newcastle far exceeded the $200,000 cap on this new program, highlighting the dire need for increased funding for our schools.
The applications were assessed by a local schools panel with representation from each of the Government, Catholic and Independent school sectors.
Ms Claydon said that all Newcastle schools deserve increased funding and resources to deliver quality education for our kids.
“Heading into Christmas, any additional funding for our local schools is welcome news. I know the successful schools will be thrilled to kick off 2020 with much needed funding for their respective projects.”
Unfortunately, despite receiving many worthy applications, there are many important projects left unfunded.
“There’s no news yet on whether the Government will run the Local Schools Community Fund again”
“What is clear is that the schools in our community need additional funding and support to continue to deliver a great education for our kids”
“I have written to the Federal Minister for Education, the Hon. Dan Tehan MP, asking him to support my request for additional funds, outside the Local Schools Community Fund program, to ensure that worthy projects that were unsuccessful under this program can still proceed.
“I will continue to advocate strongly for extra funding for our Newcastle Schools.”
 
Successful Schools under the Local Schools Community Fund

 School Name Approved Project Name Approved Funding
Callaghan College – Wallsend Campus Support unit resourcing and sensory equipment for students with additional needs $15,500
St Peter’s Primary School St Peter’s Stockton Playground Enhancement $10,000
St Pius X High School Regeneration of the Wetland $18,566
St Dominic’s Centre New classroom resources for students with disability and additional needs $18,000
Waratah Public School Sensory Playground (Early Stage 1) $20,000
Minmi Public School Fitness Equipment Relocation and Upgrade as well as installation of soft fall surface $16,310
Stockton Public School Stockton Public School Play and Sports Area $20,000
Callaghan College – Jesmond Campus Digital media equipment purchase for annual combined schools Digital Media Festival and other uses $14,500
Elermore Vale Public School Establishment of Chicken Coop and Orchard $2,700
Glendore Public School Main multi-purpose Court Refurbishment $20,000
ALESCO Senior College Wellbeing space $20,000
D.A.L.E. Young Parents School Outdoor Learning and Community Space $20,000
St Laurence Flexible Learning Centre Pathways to Literacy resources $4,424

 

Police investigate robbery – Thornton

Police are investigating a robbery in the state’s Hunter region overnight.
About 8pm on Sunday 5 January 2020, a 49-year-old woman was walking her dog along Hillgate Drive, Thornton, when she was approached by an unknown man.
He threatened the woman and demanded money before she handed over her mobile phone and ran away from the offender onto Lancaster Street.
The woman knocked on doors of nearby homes until a resident offered assistance and she contacted police.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended and commenced an investigation.
The man is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 175cm tall, with a thin build, and less than 20-years of age.
Police are appealing for any who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area around that time to contact Maitland Detectives on 4934 0200 or to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Appeal to locate missing man – Salamander Bay

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a man missing in the state’s Hunter region.
John Ernest Russell, aged 79, was last seen driving off from his home on Sandpiper Avenue, Salamander Bay on Saturday 4 January 2020 at 1am. He has not been heard from since.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District believe he may be heading towards Sydney in his car – a charcoal 2015 Toyota Hilux ute with registration JR-022. It has a black tourney covering the tray.
Family and police hold concerns for his welfare as this is out of character for John.
Police are appealing for public assistance to locate John who is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a medium build, between 182cm and 187cm tall, with grey hair, blue eyes and tanned skin.
Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District urge anyone who sees John to contact Raymond Terrace police station on 02 4983 7599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800

​Our Bushfire Response

Our country is facing devastating and widespread bushfires.
This requires us to do everything possible to fight fires, protect lives, and ensure communities are getting the support they need.

1. DEPLOYING THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE

The Australian Defence Force is providing boots on the ground, planes in the sky and ships at sea, to support the bushfire fighting effort and recovery.
For the first time in our history, the Government has enacted a compulsory call-out of the Australian Defence Force Reserve Brigades.
This will provide up to 3,000 Australian Defence Force Reservists, including personnel with skills in engineering, medical, logistics and transport support.
The Navy’s largest ship, HMAS Adelaide, will join HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore in supporting the evacuation of citizens.
The Adelaide is fully equipped for disaster relief and humanitarian aid. It can operate all ADF helicopters. It has 400 crew, including medical staff, and 300 tonnes of emergency relief supplies.
The Government is deploying additional ADF air lift and reconnaissance capacity. This includes Chinook helicopters, C-17 Globemasters, C-130 Hercules and C-27 Spartans.
All Defence bases between Brisbane and Adelaide will provide temporary transit accommodation and support for those displaced by the fires. Call 1800 DEFENCE (1800 333 362) for more information.
Major General Justin Ellwood, will have national authority over the ADF Joint Task Forces. The ADF will work in cooperation with and support state emergency authorities.

2. ADDITIONAL WATERBOMBING

The Government immediately responded to a request for an additional waterbombing aircraft, by providing $20 million to lease four extra planes.
This includes:

  • two long-range fixed wing DC-10s (with 36,000 litres capacity); and
  • two medium-range fixed-wing Large Air Tankers (with 11,000 litre capacity).

This is in addition to $26 million already provided to the states and territories through the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, which provides specialised firefighting aircraft.

3. IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL HELP

The Government is providing immediate financial support to fire-affected communities.
This includes a non-means tested Disaster Recovery Payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for children.
A Disaster Recovery Allowance is available to provide short-term income support for those who have lost income.
In the 33 Local Government Areas hardest hit by the fires, the Commonwealth and State governments are providing $15,000 recovery grants for small businesses, community organisations and primary producers and funds for local government to help communities recover.

4. SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS

The Government is funding financial support of up to $6,000 for emergency services volunteers who have lost income as a result of volunteering to fight the fires.
Public servants who are emergency services volunteers are being provided with additional paid leave. We thank the Australian companies which have matched this.
Australian Government financial assistance
Anyone who has been adversely affected by the bushfires should contact the Department of Human Services on 180 22 66 to seek advice on eligibility for the payment.

Bushfire Relief and Recovery

Our country is facing devastating and widespread national bushfires.
They have been burning throughout the country for months now but today is shaping up as our most challenging day, with a state of emergency declared in NSW and Victoria while Tasmania and South Australia also face significant threats.
We are well prepared, well organised and well resourced, but we are also realistic: These fire conditions are unprecedented, and the challenge is formidable. If fierce conditions prevail, today could be a dark day for our country.
The rapidly escalating damage and the heart-breaking human cost calls for nothing less than an all-out response. The task in front of our country today and in the weeks ahead requires us to do whatever it takes; to not only fight the fires and protect lives, but ensure our fire-affected communities are well-resourced and functioning, and evacuations can be affected quickly and effectively. And when the fire threat has finally diminished, that we have the tools and personnel to reopen and rebuild.
Following today’s meeting of the National Security Committee, the Morrison Government is:

  • Enacting a compulsory Call-Out of Australian Defence Force Reserve Brigades for the first time in the country’s history, together with specialist personnel,
  • Deploying HMAS Adelaide to support the efforts of HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore, as well as additional Chinook helicopters, C-17 Globemasters, C-130 Hercules and C-27 Spartans, and
  • Leasing a fleet of extra waterbombing planes for the states and territories to deploy

It will mean boots on the ground, planes in the sky and ships out at sea all supporting the bushfire fighting effort and recovery.
We continue to support the states to run the operational response and we will continue to act on every request we receive for further assistance.
In recent months ADF resources have been deployed in response to state requests – from the operational base at Canungra in Queensland in September, to the 2,000 personnel already deployed to support with logistics, evacuations, catering, accommodation and clearing, our Air Force helping transport firefighters, Defence bases being used as refuelling and staging sites and HMAS Albatross assisting with water and fire retardant reloading.
We have also been listening to the people on the ground in these fire-affected areas and we are unilaterally changing the posture of the ADF to proactively mobilise and position our resources where we expect they will be needed most.
Through the authority of the Governor-General, the Government has directed the Australian Defence Force surge to bring every possible capability to bear by deploying Army Reserve Brigades to fire-affected communities across Australia.
Australians have watched with admiration as our emergency services have dealt with the fires and extreme weather events engulfing much of the country. We have their backs.
Two-Star Emergency ADF National Support Coordinator Major General Justin Ellwood will have national authority over the ADF Joint Task Forces in each affected state working in cooperation with and to support state emergency authorities.
The priority for this deployment is to assist in ensuring the safety of life, support the evacuation of affected people from isolated communities, provide assistance to isolated communities and support State-managed evacuation centres.
The ADF surge includes the deployment of up to 3,000 designated ADF Reserve forces including the 4th Brigade from Victoria, the 5th Brigade from New South Wales, and the 9th Brigade from South Australia and Tasmania and specialist logistic elements of the 17th Brigade headquartered in New South Wales to push Defence resources into fire-affected areas progressively, and in coordination with State authorities, from as early as tomorrow. These Brigades will be enhanced with specialist ADF personnel with skills in engineering, medical, logistics and transport support.
Following the Prime Minister’s conversation with the Chief of the Defence Force on New Year’s Eve, the HMAS Adelaide, the Navy’s largest amphibious ship, has been readied to join HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore in supporting evacuation of citizens from fire affected areas along our coast line. HMAS Adelaide will sail from Sydney this afternoon, and will be located offshore from the fire affected areas tomorrow afternoon. The Adelaide is fully equipped for disaster relief and humanitarian aid and is able to operate all ADF helicopters, 400 crew including medical staff as well as 300 tonnes of emergency relief supplies.
The Government has ordered relevant ADF air lift and reconnaissance capacity to pre-position to RAAF Base East Sale, which will remain the central hub for the Defence response in southern areas.
From tomorrow an additional three Chinook helicopters from Townsville, will be deployed over the coming week to support a range of resupply, evacuation and transport tasks across the breadth of the affected areas. An additional C-17 Globemaster, two C-130 Hercules and three C-27 Spartans will also be pre-positioned to East Sale.
For people in short term evacuation distress, other Defence bases from Brisbane to Adelaide will provide temporary transit accommodation and support arrangements.
This is a major step-up in ADF involvement and assistance and demonstrates our absolute commitment to supporting states to fight the fires, and to immediately swing into disaster recovery operations as soon as the fire-front has passed.
Following a request from the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council at 8pm yesterday for one additional waterbombing aircraft, today we have also committed $20 million to lease four extra planes to fulfil that request and to meet any further requests – two long-range fixed wing DC-10s with 36,000 litres capacity and two medium-range fixed-wing Large Air Tankers with 11,000 litre capacity. The Commonwealth will fully fund the leasing costs with operational costs to be shared with states and territories as usual.
From the heart-breaking loss of life to the destruction wrought on towns and communities, businesses, farms, livestock, homes and our wildlife, the impact of these bushfires has left deep financial, emotional, mental and environmental scars.
We are conscious of the enormous challenge of rebuilding these devastated communities. Australians are resilient and want to rebuild – and we will be with them every step of the way.
The Government has already processed 20,600 claims for assistance this bushfire season and delivered nearly $25 million in Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance as well as deployed Mobile Service Centres and extended Centrelink’s phone hours including opening them this weekend. But, as with the floods and drought, we can and will ensure communities and businesses have the helping hand they need. The Government will detail further work to aid the recovery in coming days.
Our government’s entire focus is on supporting Australians in this difficult time – those facing immediate danger and those who are recovering after the fire-front has passed.
The Prime Minister has postponed his state visit to India and his official visit to Japan to stay close to the disaster and recovery operations underway in Australia. We deeply appreciate the arrangements that India and Japan have made to date and look forward to rescheduling the visits at a mutually convenient time in the coming months.
Everywhere across the country in the communities we visit we see the absolute devastation and despair these bushfires have wrought. What we have also seen is the best of Australians coming together, supporting one another.
We urge Australians to keep informed about the situation in their area and to follow the directions of state and territory authorities and the ADF as they work to keep people safe.
We will do whatever it takes to get Australians through these terrible times.
Full details on the ADF’s operations to date are available at https://news.defence.gov.au/national/defence-boosts-bushfire-support.