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recovery-icon  Bushfire Recovery Wingecarribee

information-icon  News and information

Council workers inspecting new build

DA update


As the clean-up and recovery from the Black Summer bushfires continues, more bushfire-affected residents are turning their attention to rebuilding their homes.

As of mid-June, Council had received 10 bushfire specific Development Applications (DA’s) with numerous more expected to be submitted by the end of the month.

These Development Applications have been submitted by property owners from both northern and southern bushfire-affected villages and range from alterations and additions to existing premises through to the construction of new garages and homes.

All fees and charges associated with the lodgement of bushfire-related Development Applications have been waived and staff have been specifically tasked to deal with, and prioritise, all manner of bushfire-related queries.

If you’re considering lodging a Development Application, or have any questions or concerns regarding rebuilding, please call our dedicated Bushfire Recovery Hotline on phone 1800 316 500 to speak to one of our team members.

Supporting you to get back home


When rebuilding or repairing your home after a bushfire, there are lots of things to consider. To help you get started, we’ve prepared a handy document called Building after Bushfire to help you navigate everything from clean-up to rebuilding applications. Click here or call us on phone 1800 316 500.

Bushfire Recovery Community Meeting


Our latest Bushfire Recovery Community Meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday 18 June at 5.30pm.

Meant for bushfire affected residents, the one-hour session will feature speakers from Council, Laing O’Rourke, Red Cross, Community Links and former NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner and now Commissioner of Resilience NSW, Shane Fitzsimmons.

Participants can register to watch the meeting live via Zoom by clicking here.


There will be an opportunity to ask questions. If you can’t make the meeting visit our website to watch it in the following days.

Survey underway


Council, in partnership with Service NSW and Resilience NSW have begun contacting bushfire affected residents to hear how recovery efforts are proceeding and learn more about what can be done to help in the months ahead. Keep an eye out for the special email invitation.

If your property was damaged or destroyed and believe Council does not have up-to-date contact details for you,
click here to email us or call Council’s dedicated Bushfire Recovery Hotline on phone 1800 316 500.

Community Recovery Hub closes


Last month the Balmoral Recovery Hub ceased operation with the remaining donated goods transported to the Shoalhaven fire grounds. 

Council would like to acknowledge and thank Kerrie O'Grady and Kim Hill along with the Picton Country Women's Association and Bargo Men's Shed for the time they dedicated to helping our community recover.

If you are in need of assistance contact:
  • Community Links Wellbeing - 4683 2776
  • Country Women's Association - Kerrie O'Grady (CWA Picton) on 0413 003 601 or Kim Hill (RFS) on 0412 786 114
  • Red Cross grants - 1800 733 276.

New government agency to drive disaster recovery


Resilience NSW is a newly formed agency that will oversee the State Government’s disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.

Led by outgoing RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, the agency will focus on developing and implementing systems to avoid disasters where possible, and to deal with the critical steps before and after those disasters which do occur.

Commissioner Fitzsimmons, who is retiring after 12 years at the helm of the RFS, said he was honoured to be taking on the new role.

“There was never a more important time to make sure that communities devastated by drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 are getting the help they need to rebuild and recover,” he said.

For more information click here

Apply for the NSW Get Ready Community Award


The NSW Get Ready Community Award will recognise a community that has worked together to help the community better prepare for, respond to or recover from a disaster. 

Applications are open to initiatives that have been completed as well as work underway or ongoing. 
The term ‘community’ can refer to a particular town or region, or a group of people that have something in common. 

Applications are open until 5 July. For more information click here.  

RFS brigades to receive funds for equipment 


Federal Member for Hume The Hon Angus Taylor MP has announced that 21 local RFS Brigades have been successful in securing funding under the Federal Government’s Volunteer Grants Program.

Mr Taylor said successful RFS brigades would receive grants between $1,000 and $5,000 to purchase small equipment items.

For more information click here.

$650 million boost for bushfire recovery 


In May the Australian Government announced that $650 million in funding would be provided to accelerate regional bushfire recovery. 

The funding will be delivered through the Regional Bushfire Recovery and Development Program.

Bushfire affected communities will share in $448.5 million to support the delivery of local economic recovery plans while $15 million will go towards assisting the forestry industry.  Almost $150 million will be spent on protecting native species, $13.5 million on community wellbeing programs and $27.1 million will go towards strengthening telecommunications.

To learn more about the Regional Bushfire Recovery and Development Program, including details on how individuals and communities can apply for financial support, click here

health-icon  Health and wellbeing

Telephone support services


The emotional impacts of bushfire can continue long after the fires have passed. You might also be feeling additional distress or anxiety around the COVID-19 situation.

Having someone to listen to and support you through this is very important.

The following are free services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:


phone-icon  Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
phone-icon  Lifeline Bushfire Recovery - 13 43 57
phone-icon  Mensline - 1300 789 978
phone-icon  Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
phone-icon  Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
phone-icon  ReFrame/You in Mind – 0455 104 104

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000.

Personalised recovery support service


Community Links Wellbeing has received funding from Resilience NSW to continue their work supporting local people who were impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires. This includes people who lost property, but also those who were impacted in other ways.

The Recovery Support Service is a free, personalised service that can help you:
  • Get the right information
  • Work out your next steps, and how to get there!
  • Connect with the right services or better coordinate the services you already have in place, and
  • Feel more positive about the path ahead.
The service is delivered by a team of local Bushfire Recovery Support Officers who are specifically trained in support work, case management and broader welfare work. 

The team are flexible and can be contacted by phone, online or in person.  You can also catch them in person every Monday at the Bundanoon CWA Hall. 

For more information call 4683 2776, click here, or find ‘Community Links Wellbeing’ on Facebook. 

waste-icon  Waste and clean-up

Clean-up underway


The government-led bushfire clean-up program is underway with more than 100 properties cleared in the north, south and west of our Shire.

The clean-up is being delivered by Laing O’Rourke and is an opt-in program.

If your property needs clearing, contact Service NSW on phone 13 77 88 or click here.

The State Government is working towards a 30 June 2020 deadline to have most residential properties cleared. 

Laing O’Rourke will always arrange household visits in advance and will not turn up unannounced or demand payment. Any tradespeople asking for payments are not part of the scheme. For the latest information on Laing O'Rourke's schedule click here

finance-icon  Financial assistance

Council financial assistance


Council has waived all Council-related development fees for bushfire affected residents wishing to rebuild. This includes Development Application (DA) and Pre-Lodgement fees, Construction and Complying Development Certificates, Final Occupation Certificates and all plumbing and drainage inspection costs.

If you’re experiencing financial difficulties due to the bushfires, contact Council on 1800 316 500 to discuss payment arrangement options which may be available to you.

State and Federal Grants


Aside from Council assistance, there are a number of State and Federal grants that bushfire affected residents may be eligible for. 

The Service NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service has specialists to help you navigate the support and financial assistance that's available across all levels of government. This includes the:
  • Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Allowance,
  • NSW Government Disaster Relief Grants,
  • Volunteer Firefighters Financial Support, and
  • Small Business Grants.
Call 13 77 88 or click here for more information. 

Public Land Boundary Fencing Program


The NSW Government has committed $209 million to help bushfire-affected landholders with the cost of rebuilding boundary fences adjoining public lands.

Local Land Services have dedicated Boundary Fence Coordinators ready to work with private landholders to identify their needs and ensure the funds flow as soon as possible.

Final funds to be allocated no later than 30 June 2021.

For more information call 1300 778 080 or click here

Red Cross Grants


The Red Cross is also offering financial assistance for bushfire-affected people. The cash grants available are:
  • Emergency grant for people who have lost their homes.
  • Injury grant for people who were hospitalised due to the fires.
  • Primary residence repair grant for home owners whose homes have been structurally damaged. Eligibility has been extended to include destruction or damage to critical private water, septic and/or power infrastructure.
  • Re-establishment grant to help people who lost their primary place of residence – house, caravan or mobile home, whether owned or rented – to have somewhere safe to live.
Applications for the Emergency, injury and primary residence repair grants will be open until 30 June. Applications for the Re-establishment grant will be open until 31 August.

For more information call 1300 733 276 or click here.

FireAid and the Southern Highlands Foundation


The Southern Highlands Foundation is the organisation tasked with distributing the over $300,000 raised through the Fire Aid 2020 relief concert. For more information on how the proceeds are being distributed click here

Lions Clubs of the Southern Highlands


A grant is currently offered by local Lions Clubs of up to $1,500 for goods only (not cash) for those who have been fire affected.  For more information call 0408 102 411 or send them an email

FOCUS connect bushfire financial assistance program


FOCUS Connect is offering assistance for households within the Macarthur, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee regions affected by the 2019/20 bushfires.

The program is designed for people who have experienced any of the following as a result of the recent bushfire;
  • Loss/damage of home
  • Loss/damage of personal/household item
  • Loss of income
  • Loss of a family member/pet
  • Displaced from your home
  • Health-related impacts.
For more information contact Caitlin Manganaro on phone 4627 1188 or click here to send an email.
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