Where is the Environment Minister?

The Federal Environment Minister is missing in action despite reports that more than a billion native animals have been impacted and killed in the catastrophic fires across Australia and millions of hectares of habitat burnt, the Greens say.
Greens Spokesperson for the Environment Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“We are in the midst of environmental collapse and the Minister responsible is missing in action. The climate fires have caused an ecological disaster. Entire species may have been wiped out.
“As I’ve met with dozens of dedicated wildlife carers and local community members who’ve been so devastated by these fires, I’ve heard countless firsthand accounts of how these fires and the conditions underpinning it are unprecedented. The habitats that have been so crucial to supporting livelihoods and native wildlife have been entirely wiped out. Pristine wilderness areas that attract tourists and therefore jobs to regional areas have been decimated.
“Where is the Environment Minister? I’m calling on her to come out today and stand up for our environment and threatened species. Our wildlife deserves it, the carers rescuing them deserve it and our communities need it.
“The Federal Government must urgently establish a fighting fund for the environment to save, restore and protect what remains. Our communities rightly need funding for homes and infrastructure but the environment that so many humans and animals depend on, cannot be left as an afterthought.
“The time for funding and action is now, or we may just lose some of our precious wildlife and flora for good.”

Immediate Financial Support for Bushfire Affected Communities

The Morrison Government will provide an initial and immediate base payment of $1 million to 42 of the most severely bushfire impacted councils in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland to help quickly rebuild vital infrastructure and strengthen community resilience.
A further $18 million will be set aside to provide additional support to larger council areas which have experienced the most significant damage, with the National Bushfire Recovery Coordinator Andrew Colvin working with state governments and impacted local councils on determining this additional allocation.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his Government was committed to working hand in hand with regional communities to rebuild towns and villages.
“These payments will provide immediate assistance directly into the hands of local councils to rebuild roads and infrastructure, employ staff to help in recovery activities and hold events which bring the community together and bring tourists back to town,” the Prime Minister said.
“We are moving immediately to support local councils and our funding will be in state government bank accounts by tomorrow.
“Importantly this is a base payment and just the start of our support for local communities, in what we know will be a long recovery.”
Funding will be directed to councils which have been ‘activated’ by their respective state government for Category C bushfire disaster recovery relief under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Payments will not require matched funding from state governments.
Currently there are 40 councils across Australia in receipt of Category C assistance, including 33 in New South Wales, five in Queensland and two in South Australia (list below).
Funding will also be provided to the Local Government Areas of East Gippsland and Towong in Victoria in recognition of an imminent request from the Victorian Government for Category C assistance for these severely impacted regions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Government was backing regional communities to rebuild and recover.
“We have always known regional communities are Australia’s most resilient and in the devastation of these fires we have seen again the remarkable community spirit existing in our regions, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
“The immediate payments to councils will boost affected economies by supporting local small businesses, farmers and trades as they rebuild, restock, replant and recover.”
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the focus would be on supporting local communities.
“I’ve made it clear this won’t be a Canberra led recovery, it’ll be a locally led recovery and this is our first instalment in that process. We’re empowering local governments to be part of that process today. We’re committed to rebuilding communities but also the lives of those impacted by these devastating fires,” Minister Littleproud said.
All funds will be drawn from the $2 billion allocated to the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and this is in addition to funding that is automatically available to councils through other disaster recovery arrangements.
The lump sum payments will be delivered by the Commonwealth by the close of business tomorrow to State Governments who administer payments to councils.
The only condition placed on councils is that they develop a Program of Works within three months and report back to the Commonwealth in 12 months’ time.
Councils will be able to spend their $1 million payments on projects and activities that they deem essential for the recovery and renewal of their communities, including:

  • Rebuilding damaged or destroyed council assets such as key local roads, bridges, and community facilities;
  • Employing additional local staff to take on specialist recovery or planning roles to help coordinate and plan the rebuilding effort;
  • Hosting new public activities and events to bring communities together and attract visitors back to affected regions; and
  • Immediate maintenance and repairs to relief and evacuation centres.

Councils to receive assistance

NSW

  • Armidale
  • Ballina
  • Bega Valley
  • Bellingen
  • Blue Mountains
  • Byron
  • Central Coast
  • Cessnock
  • Clarence Valley
  • Coffs Harbour
  • Eurobodalla
  • Glenn Innes Severn
  • Hawkesbury
  • Inverell
  • Kempsey
  • Kyogle
  • Lismore
  • Lithgow
  • Mid-Coast
  • Mid-Western
  • Nambucca
  • Port Macquarie-Hastings
  • Queanbeyan-Palerang
  • Richmond Valley
  • Shoalhaven
  • Singleton
  • Snowy Monaro
  • Snowy Valleys
  • Tenterfield
  • Tweed
  • Walcha
  • Wingecarribee
  • Wollondilly

QLD

  • Livingstone
  • Noosa
  • Scenic Rim
  • Southern Downs
  • Sunshine Coast

SA

  • Adelaide Hills
  • Kangaroo Island

VIC

  • East Gippsland
  • Towong

Tax Exemption for Disaster Relief Payments

The Morrison Government will ensure that disaster relief payments being made to individuals and businesses impacted by the devastating bushfires are tax exempt.
This decision will ensure that every dollar that is paid out to affected individuals, businesses and primary producers goes to supporting them during these difficult times and to rebuilding their livelihoods.
Notably, the exemption will extend to payments such as:

  • Disaster Recovery Allowance payments made to individuals; and
  • payments that would otherwise be taxable under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, such as grants that may be made to small businesses and primary producers.

This follows on from an announcement by the Prime Minister on 29 December 2019 that the payments being made to eligible Rural Fire Service Volunteers will be free from tax.
Legislation to give effect to these changes will be required as was the case to give effect to similar tax exemptions in relation to the North Queensland floods. The legislation will be introduced in the next sitting of Parliament.
This action comes on top of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO) ongoing support, including the automatic deferral of lodgement and payment obligations for individuals and businesses in communities affected by the bushfires.
Further information on the support being provided by the ATO can be found at ato.gov.au/naturaldisasters. Impacted individuals or businesses can also contact the ATO’s Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218.

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.

Downloads

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.