Bushfire Recovery News – Edition 6

From the National Bushfire Recovery Coordinator Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter. 27 May to 3 June 2020 is National Reconciliation Week. It’s a time of learning about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and how we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year’s theme “in this together” cannot be more appropriate for the work we do at the National Bushfire Recovery Agency (NBRA). Have a look at our story in this edition about how we’re working to provide the support and assistance needed by Indigenous communities in bushfire affected areas. Visit our website to see our new Commonwealth Bushfire Relief and Recovery Funding factsheet that details how the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund has been allocated to bushfire recovery programs. I am confident that we have been effective in rolling out assistance quickly and that it is getting to the people who need it. But we always need to do more, and we will keep working with our state partners to implement the $448.5 million Local Economic Recovery and Complementary Project Funding Program, ensuring recovery projects are delivered on the ground for the most severely affected communities. Later this week I am scheduled to appear at the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements. These hearings give the Royal Commission an opportunity to hear from those directly affected by the fires, as well as organisations like the NBRA. I know that coverage of the Royal Commission, and particularly the personal stories, may be traumatic for many of you. I encourage you to take care of each other as these memories and experiences are shared, and please engage with the support available in your community. Thank you to those who have provided submissions to the Royal Commission; the learning and understanding gained from your stories assists in both improving recovery and better preparedness for the future. In this edition you’ll also find a story on the roll out of the Minderoo pods. These pods are temporary accommodation options being provided by the Minderoo Foundation for people who lost their homes in the fires. If you, or someone you know, requires accommodation assistance please reach out to your local recovery coordinators, your local council, or your respective State recovery organisations. Help is available, and no one should be living rough during this winter. In this edition we also cover the launch of Recovery Connect, a web site that connects people to the help and assistance available at their local level. There is also news about Tourism Australia’s work to help us dream about domestic travel, including to bushfire affected areas, as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease. We are always open to feedback on this newsletter, including what you would like to see us cover, please let us know by emailing communications@bushfirerecovery.gov.au Until next fortnight, take care. Andrew Colvin National Bushfire Recovery Coordinator

In this edition • This fortnight

o Thanking volunteers o Recovery Connect o Red Cross announcement

• Key facts and figures • Minderoo pods • Virtual visits – Kempsey and Nambucca • Indigenous communities and bushfire recovery • Tourism Australia – there’s still nothing like Australia • Services Australia Disaster funds • ATO payment deferrals • Contact details

This fortnight

Volunteers: Wave for appreciation

Many volunteers are continuing to find creative and innovative ways to support their communities. We thanked the volunteers with our “wave your appreciation” video for National Volunteer Week. Our National Coordinator, Andrew Colvin, is keen to send his thanks to everyone involved in response and recovery efforts from the Black Summer bushfires.

We want all volunteers to know they’re not alone and that they are supported.

To find out more visit our Volunteer Support Page

Recovery Connect: A new platform to find assistance

We want to make sure bushfire affected communities have access to support when they need it most – so we have teamed up with Services Australia to develop Recovery Connect. This new and easy-to-use platform is a one-stop-shop to view the bushfire recovery support available from government and charities.

You'll find different types of assistance available in your area – be it financial, emotional, accommodation, or environmental. It also lists support for animals, physical health, food and household supplies.

Visit Recovery Connect and search for assistance at recovery.serviceconnect.gov.au

Increased re-establishment grants

The Australian Red Cross has increased their re-establishment grant to $30,000 for those who lost their primary place of residence during the Black Summer bushfires.

If you have already received the prior $20,000 re-establishment grant, an additional $10,000 payment will be automatically provided to you.

Key facts and figures Help delivered so far Our work to deliver financial help to communities and businesses is continuing. An update on just some of the funding dispersed so far is below (latest data received as at 29 May), with the numbers rising daily.

Minderoo pods Pods delivers much needed comfort

Emma Reedy from Resilience NSW handing over a pod key to a recipient One gets the impression that Stefan Talmatsky isn’t often lost for words, so when he says he’s “overwhelmed, I don’t have words for this,” you know he means it. The part-time homeopathy practitioner and Coolagolite local (near Bermagui) was one of the first NSW recipients of the temporary housing “pods” that allow bushfire-affected people to stay on their land for up to two years. The pods are being deployed across Australia as part of partnerships between state governments and Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation. The pods are modified 20-foot shipping containers, with electricity, four bunk beds, a washing machine, gas cooktop, bathroom, awning, and a 2300-litre water tank. For Louise and Keith Richardson, along with their son Calum, their pod makes the slow process of rebuilding their home on the NSW mid-north coast feel one step closer. "It's got everything we are going to need, we can actually move home," Ms Richardson said. "It's just going to make life so much easier. It's making it more like home again." Emma Reedy, Associate Director of Operational Projects at Resilience NSW, has been a driving force behind getting the pods to those who need them in her state. “There is overwhelming gratitude and an element of relief for the pod recipients,” Emma said. “The pods give them a cosy place to live while they undertake the massive task of rebuilding. This way they can stay on their land and within their existing support networks, which will make a huge difference for their recovery.” The pods are an option for people who need to stay close to their community, and need time to rebuild. We want all people impacted by the bushfires to have a warm and safe place to sleep. Mr Talmatsky has already begun to make his pod feel like home, adding his own special features. The kiln-fired mudbricks that were to be used as the library for his thousands of books (all incinerated in the blaze) now form his outdoor fireplace.

Virtual visits Kempsey and Nambucca

Andrew Colvin and Dr Alan Finkel meet virtually with Kempsey Shire and Nambucca Valley Councils to discuss the impact of the Black Summer bushfires

During May the National Coordinator Andrew Colvin held virtual meetings with Mayor Rhonda Hoban and local council representatives from Nambucca Valley Council, and separately with Mayor Liz Campbell and representatives from Kempsey Shire Council. At each meeting we discussed bushfire telecommunications issues, the effects of multiple disasters on their communities, the importance of consistent and accurate emergency messaging and the various ways bushfire affected communities are leading their recovery.

Both meetings were joined by Dr Alan Finkel AO, Australia's Chief Scientist.

COVID-19 is not stopping our community connection and recovery discussions with all bushfire-affected regions around Australia.

The need to future proof our telecommunications has been recognised with the funding of $27.1 million, part of the $650 million package announced recently.

Indigenous communities and bushfire recovery “In this together”

The NBRA has spent some time reflecting on the theme of National Reconciliation Week “In this Together” and how it is so deeply entwined with our work: acknowledging what has happened; healing; how we will do things better in the future; and the long history of Australia, Indigenous Australians and their cultural links with fire. Scott Kneebone, the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) Liaison Officer spoke to the NBRA to reflect with staff on how the bushfires affected people differently, that our approaches to crisis and recovery need to reflect this and that without undertaking recovery together, people and entire sections of society can be left behind. Over the course of the NBRA’s recovery efforts and particularly our engagement with people on the ground, the NBRA has heard from Indigenous communities about how the bushfire affected them, and their concerns for community, country and children. Indigenous communities have told us of their fears about how the bushfires have affected the mental health of their children, how the fires destroyed cultural sites, the complexity involved and the trust required with seeking assistance, and that the fires affected communities already under stress. The NBRA has also heard and seen the strength and resilience of Indigenous leaders as they support their communities while living through the crisis alongside them. Indigenous communities pulled together and checked on the health and wellbeing of every member and sought solutions when needs were not being met. The NBRA has also heard the strong desire of Indigenous communities to heal country and share knowledge of cultural burning practices. During the crisis, Indigenous communities sought assistance from places of trust. The NBRA acknowledges the work of the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector, Aboriginal Medical Services, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, the Aboriginal Housing sector and the many other Indigenous organisations that met this need and often provided assistance outside their remit. The Agency is responding. Locally engaged Recovery Support Officers (RSOs) are available to assist with the application processes. RSOs have also received cultural competency training and information on how the fires affected Indigenous communities. The $650 million in bushfire recovery support also addresses the concerns raised by Indigenous communities including:

• Community Wellbeing and Participation ($13.5 million) - backing Primary Health Networks with additional funding to provide critical, local emotional and mental health support.

• Bushfire Recovery for Species and Landscapes ($149.7 million) - supporting efforts that go beyond the immediate devastation on species and natural assets through habitat regeneration, waterway and catchment restoration including erosion control, weed and pest management.

The NBRA continues to work with communities and local and state governments to ensure vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Australians, are reflected in our work. The NIAA is providing support through

the NBRA’s Recovery Support Team engagements and policy input to the National Recovery Plan and local economic recovery planning. The NBRA will continue to draw on the leadership and expertise of Indigenous leaders and their communities through the next phase of the recovery and into the future. Reconciliation Week provides a timely reminder of the strengths of Indigenous leaders and their communities; a time to acknowledge shared histories and a nudge that the recovery path must be travelled together.

Holiday in Australia mate!

Tourism Australia video screenshot titled ‘Dreaming’ Tourism Australia supporting our bushfire and COVID-19 affected tourism industry As restrictions continue to lift, Tourism Australia will be strongly encouraging Australians to get out and explore their back yard, helping regional tourism businesses and communities impacted by both bushfires and coronavirus get back on their feet.

During the lockdown, people’s appetite for travel hasn’t gone away. It has created pent up travel demand from a domestic population that has been in self-isolation for a number of months. Tourism Australia’s consumer research has shown that more than 60 per cent of Australians are eager to travel domestically once restrictions ease, which is why Tourism Australia has been using the lockdown period to encourage Australians to dream about their next domestic trip. Take a look at Tourism Australia’s video Dreaming and dream away.

Updates Bushfire payment for February – March 2019 closing soon If you were affected by the Victorian bushfires in February 2019, you have until Thursday 4 June 2020 to lodge a claim for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment or Disaster Recovery Allowance. The quickest and easiest way to claim is by calling Services Australia on 180 22 66. This number is available Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm AEST. For eligibility criteria, go to: servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster. For other states, the most recent fires, ranging from August 2019 – February 2020 Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment application close on:

• SA & TAS 1 July • NSW, VIC, QLD 4 August

ATO’s assist taxpayers in identified bushfire impacted areas If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties with tax affairs following the 2019-20 bushfires, the ATO can assist to get things back on track. Whether you are an individual, business owner or primary producer, if you are having difficulty meeting your tax and super obligations, contact the ATO on 1800

806 218 so they can find a solution based on your individual circumstances. Visit ato.gov.au/bushfires for more information.

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Update from the National Bushfire Recovery Agency | Edition Number 6