nsw bush re recovery nsw... · 2020. 7. 10. · nsw bushfires. this will ensure owners have more...
TRANSCRIPT
NSW bushfire recovery Supporting NSW communities
following the 2019–2020 bushfires
A message from the Deputy PremierAs the Minister responsible for disaster recovery, I want to acknowledge that it has never been tougher for communities around our great state. The compound effects of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19 cannot be underestimated.
There is no denying that we are facing challenges and personal hardships like we have never seen before in our generation. Those who have been impacted by the bushfires are not forgotten. The NSW Government remains committed to supporting communities on the long road to recovery and doing all that we can to get the people of NSW back on their feet.
The Hon. John Barilaro MP Deputy Premier Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade Minister for Disaster Recovery
We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of NSW, and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture.
NSW bushfire recovery | 1
An unprecedented bushfire season 2
Individual recovery 4
Household recovery 7
Small business and the community 10
Industry recovery 12
NSW assistance timeline 16
Publication date 30 June 2020 Resilience NSW GPO Box 5434, Sydney NSW 2001
Learn more resilience.nsw.gov.au service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/bushfire-customer-care-service
Contents
NSW bushfire recovery2 |
An unprecedented bushfire season The bushfires that burned across NSW towards the end of 2019 and into 2020 were unprecedented in scope and scale. They had a devastating impact for so many, and continue to affect families, communities, business and industry.
*As of 30 June 2020
60threatened species impacted
Counting the loss*
5.5 million haburned
13,729deceased livestock
2.6 million haof national park burned
2476homes destroyed
26 lives lost
601,858 haof pastures damaged
88,832 kmof agricultural boundary fencing lost
24Aboriginal Land Council and community sites damaged
Human cost
State infrastructure
880 kmof roads affected
157hospitals and ambulance stations affected
Indigenous sites
11,558 fire incidents
295schools damaged and 3 destroyed
Agriculture
Environment
NSW bushfire recovery | 3
$2 bnin tourism, retail and
agricultural business losses
Counting the cost*
*As of 30 June 2020
$28 min rail
corridors
State infrastructure
$899 min infrastructure
losses
$44 min road
replacement
$26 min hospital
repairs
$12 min school repairs
Private infrastructure
$43 min telecommunication
site losses
$1 bn
in primary production losses
$6 min livestock
losses
Agriculture
$60 min pasture
losses
$661,317in cropping
losses
$27 min horticultural
losses
$22 min forestry
losses
$888 min agricultural fencing losses
Business
NSW bushfire recovery4 |
Individual recoveryAs soon as the devastating reality of a bushfire becomes part of a person’s lived experience they are in immediate need of support and assistance. Recovery takes time and the NSW Government, along with local councils and partners, has worked to meet those needs when and how they arise.
The widespread loss and distress caused by an unrelenting bushfire season impacted many across NSW.
Given the scale of the impact, a dedicated Disaster Recovery Office was established to bring together resources from the NSW Police Force, Australian Defence Force and other NSW Government agencies. These resources were supported by the Office of Emergency Management, now Resilience NSW, and prioritised the immediate needs of communities.
The most pressing needs included access to food, shelter, clothing and accommodation. Since November 2019 more than 8000 people have been housed in emergency accommodation, or received help with private rental bonds, advanced rental costs or to locate housing in the private rental market.
For those who chose to stay on their land, the NSW Government is partnering with the Minderoo Foundation, and more recently The Salvation Army, to roll out temporary accommodation pods.
These are self-contained units, with a 2300-litre water tank and options for generator or mains power connection. The pods have a toilet, shower and small kitchen and can accommodate between four and six people. They are provided at no cost to the property owner for up to two years.
With planning amendments supporting the use of temporary accommodation structures on private land, the pods give people time and space to plan their new permanent homes.
Overall, there was a combined response to meet the immediate needs of individuals following the fires. To sustain these efforts, 22 recovery officers funded under a state and federal government arrangement, will be embedded in local councils across NSW. These locally employed recovery officers will be able to identify and respond to the ongoing needs of their communities over the next 12 months.
8000+people provided with emergency accommodation
59*temporary housing pods installed
Bushfire customer care service
13 77 88 service.nsw.gov.au
*As of 30 June 2020
“It is such a rare experience to be treated like an individual rather than a number, and I want to say ‘well done’ to the teams for their patience and willingness to do the little things that have made such a difference for us.” Batlow resident
NSW bushfire recovery | 5
A temporary pad in a pod
After fire destroyed his Coolagolite property, Stefan Talmatzky is back home.
It’s not the home he left when the Badja Forest Road Fire came through his Wallaga Lake property on 23 January. Instead, it’s a temporary accommodation pod built, delivered and installed through a partnership between the NSW Government and the Minderoo Foundation. For Mr Talmatzky, it will be home for the next two years while he makes plans to rebuild his house.
Credit: Sam Strong/South Coast News
NSW bushfire recovery6 |
Healthy and resilient The NSW Government is actively supporting communities recovering from the bushfires with health and wellbeing programs.
In recognising the trauma associated with a disaster, let alone one of the size and scale of these bushfires, it has been important to act swiftly and put in place early treatment pathways.
Such a response has the capacity to significantly improve long-term recovery and ensure communities are resilient to the stresses of future disaster events.
For a period of 18 months, the NSW Government has funded 34 Bushfire Recovery Clinicians, who will work alongside affected communities to provide clinical mental health support and identify changing needs.
To reach rural and remote families, Farm Gate Counsellors and additional school counsellors have been funded to provide resources for the most affected and vulnerable to post-disaster stress.
Rural Adversity Mental Health Program coordinators are also working with fire-affected communities, connecting people to the support and assistance they need, while a $6 million funds injection to Lifeline has expanded its ability to respond to the increased number of people seeking its telephone and other services.
Fee-free TAFE courses TAFE NSW, in conjunction with the NSW Government, is offering fee-free short courses to provide the skills needed to help rebuild bushfire-affected communities. Eligibility criteria apply.
NSW Mental Health Line
1800 011 511
Lifeline
13 11 14
TAFE Bushfire Relief
13 16 01 tafensw.edu.au
$4 m*in disaster welfare grants
$15.3 min mental health services for individuals, community groups and emergency services personnel
$6 mto Lifeline
Fee-freeTAFE courses
*As of 30 June 2020
NSW bushfire recovery | 7
Household recoveryThe scale of bushfire recovery efforts has required close collaboration between local, state and federal governments, alongside local stakeholders and communities. This has been particularly evident in efforts to clean-up destroyed properties.
With households across the state needing clear guidance on the information, support and services available, a one-stop-shop was launched by Service NSW to help set them up for recovery.
An expanded workforce of trained Service NSW bushfire customer care specialists has been taking phone calls, emails and servicing inquiries online to give people the help they need.
Along with a dedicated Disaster Welfare Assistance Line number, these trained specialists have ensured people are connected to the assistance they are eligible for, including:
• accommodation advice
• relevant charitable grants
• mental health and wellbeing services
• support for businesses
• bushfire clean-up services
• financial assistance
• insurance and legal support
• ID replacement
• volunteer Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service payments.
Bushfire clean-upThe state and federal governments have committed to fund the clean-up for insured and uninsured properties destroyed by the NSW bushfires. This will ensure owners have more money to rebuild their homes. With more than 2400 houses and thousands of structures damaged, it is just one of the ways both governments are helping bushfire-affected communities move towards recovery.
Coordinating a clean-up effort across the state has been a demanding task, made all the more challenging due to restrictions in place from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clean-up work has continued at a steady pace and by mid-year, contractor Laing O’Rourke and its local subcontractor will have cleared the volume of registered properties.
These contractors are bringing much-needed work and income to local communities with 99 per cent of the awarded contracts going to local or regional businesses, creating more than 1000 jobs.
Bushfire customer care service
13 77 88 service.nsw.gov.au
Disaster Welfare Assistance
1800 018 444
Bushfire clean-up registration
13 77 88 service.nsw.gov.au
More than 55,000calls for help with recovery assistance*
Stamp duty relieffor homeowners who lost property
Council ratescovered for a year
30 Junemajority of registered destroyed properties cleaned up
Hundreds of millionsof dollars for property clean-ups
* Includes grants, loans, clean-ups, legal help and housing
NSW bushfire recovery8 |
Bushfire property clean-up recovers service medals
Local Conjola Park resident and retired US Marine, David Dgahita, was thrilled to have a bushfire clean-up team locate precious service medals while clearing his property in April.
The medals were from service in Afghanistan, Somalia, Lebanon and Iraq. They included his Kuwait Liberation Medal as well as 14 other medals and ribbons, his retirement flag, and numerous citations and awards.
The medals were found during the efforts of contractor Laing O’Rourke and local subcontractors to clear the site. They are among the many precious personal objects that have been returned to families who have lost their home to bushfire.
NSW bushfire recovery | 9
The rebuild beginsA $26 million funding package will help communities rebuild following statewide clean-up efforts.
The Disaster Welfare Rebuild Program will build the houses of up to 100 families who own their land but have no means to replace their home. Under a NSW Government Housing Strategy being developed through Resilience NSW, the program will focus on the next critical stage of recovery, which is to support people while they rebuild.
Those who risk being left behind through the recovery process are eligible for the program, which includes uninsured households, those with low income and assets, and those who lost their principle place of residence at the time of the disaster.
Already, more than 450 families have been helped with a cumulative $2.7 million to replace essential household goods and a further $1.4 million to make structural repairs to properties.
Disaster Welfare Rebuild Program
13 77 88 service.nsw.gov.au
Thousands deployed nationallyDuring the critical early days of the nation’s bushfire recovery, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) deployed 6400 personnel, including 3000 reservists.
The ADF’s efforts were focused on assisting state authorities to reopen roads, restore essential services and deliver emergency food, water and fodder to communities.
When Operation Bushfire Assist finished on 26 March, assistance was extended across several key areas. Water production and purification support was provided for Bega Valley Shire Council, delivering 6.1 million litres of drinking water for the community. In the Kempsey area, the ADF helped assess damage on key transport routes to inform road repairs.
Fire damage assessment was provided in the Hawkesbury region as a result of the Gospers Mountain fire. The ADF also provided support to collect and distribute donated goods to those who needed them, and has continued its recovery support embedded in local and NSW Government agencies.
Australian Defence Force recovery activities
• 286 ADF tasks completed
• 3026 km of roads cleared
• 4.7 m litres of water delivered
• 11,800 litres of diesel supplied
• 629,682 kg of fodder delivered
• 23,101 meals delivered
• 360.65 km of fire trails inspected and cleared
• 45.3 km of fire breaks created
Image: Operation Bushfire Assist saw ADF personnel supporting bushfire response and recovery operations, with ADF chainsaw teams clearing debris around Lithgow in March.
Credit: Corporal Colin Dadd. © Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence
NSW bushfire recovery10 |
Small business and the communitySmall businesses are the cornerstone of communities throughout regional NSW and their success is vital to the recovery effort. A number of assistance measures have been made available to help bushfire-affected small businesses get back on their feet.
Small Business Support GrantThe Small Business Support Grant is a $10,000 payment to businesses in the 30 most bushfire-affected local government areas that have experienced a significant revenue drop due to the bushfires. The grant is an easy-to-access payment that can be used for standard business costs such as utilities, salaries and rent. It can also cover the costs of seeking financial advice, altering the focus of the business, promoting the business or making the business more resilient to future disasters.
Bushfire Recovery GrantWith the Bushfire Recovery Grant, small businesses and non-profit organisations can receive a payment of up to $50,000 if they have had direct damage to their premises or equipment as a result of the bushfires. It can also be used to help pay for clean-up costs and the reinstatement of normal operations.
The Small Business Support Grant and Bushfire Recovery Grant are NSW Government programs administered by Service NSW.
Bushfire Working Capital LoanThe Bushfire Working Capital Loan is a $50,000 loan over five years with a two-year interest and payment-free period. It can be used for essential expenses while the business returns to its normal level of trading. These expenses can include wages, rent, goods, services, fodder, water for livestock and transporting livestock or produce.
Bushfire Recovery LoanFor significantly larger investments, a Bushfire Recovery Loan of up to $500,000 over 10 years, with a two-year interest and payment-free period, is available. It can be used to replace or repair damaged infrastructure, purchase livestock or replant areas that were impacted by the bushfires.
The Bushfire Working Capital Loan and Bushfire Recovery Loan are administered by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority. They are jointly funded by the state and federal governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Bushfire customer care service
13 77 88 service.nsw.gov.au
Rural Assistance Authority
1800 678 593 raa.nsw.gov.au
$191.4 m in $10,000 Small Business Support Grants approved*
$43.7 m in Bushfire Recovery Grants (up to $50,000 each) approved for small businesses*
$11.7 m in Bushfire Working Capital Loans (up to $50,000 each) approved for businesses*
$4.9 min Bushfire Recovery Loans (up to $500,000 each) approved for businesses*
*As of 30 June 2020
NSW bushfire recovery | 11
NSW bushfire recovery12 |
Industry recoveryThe NSW Government has championed bushfire recovery for primary industries and tourism, providing millions of dollars in state and shared funding programs.
The past season’s bushfires were exacerbated by prolonged drought, and in some areas of the state, were followed by storms and flooding. This tested primary producers’ resilience and affected their ability to recover personally and financially.
Under federal and state funding arrangements, a $75,000 Special Disaster Grant (Bushfire Recovery) was made available to primary producers. The grant could be used for immediate recovery costs including clean-up costs, the disposal of dead livestock and replacing damaged or destroyed on-farm infrastructure.
In addition to the shared funding pool, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) and Local Land Services (LLS) have been providing recovery assistance and advice to landholders, primary producers, commercial fishers and other bushfire-affected industries.
For information about the Special Disaster Grant (Bushfire Recovery) and Supply Chain Support Grants, contact the Rural Assistance Authority
Rural Assistance Authority
1800 678 593 raa.nsw.gov.au
Forestry, horticulture, viticulture, dairy, apiculture and aquaculture businesses can access Supply Chain Support Grants through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority. It is part of a $140 million Bushfire Industry Recovery Package to support short-term recovery and job retention.
To help cover the costs of rebuilding boundary fences, the Supporting Our Neighbours program administered by LLS has also been established.
It provides a $209 million financial assistance package and is open to landholders as one-off grants of up to $5000 per kilometre of damaged fencing, where the property has a boundary with Crown land or a state forest.
For information about the Supporting Our Neighbours boundary fence program, contact Service NSW
Service NSW
13 77 88 service.nsw.gov.au
$209 mfor farming families to rebuild fences adjoining Crown land
$140 mBushfire Industry Recovery Package to support forestry, horticulture and agriculture
$75,000Special Disaster Grant (Bushfire Recovery) for primary producers
NSW bushfire recovery | 13
A helping hand for farming families
When the Dunns Road fire reached the Tumut family farm that Jeffery had lived on his whole life, it took just about everything. The family home, the farm sheds, the fences and all the family’s farming equipment were destroyed – everything except for 30 head of cattle.
Of the immediate needs that Jeffery had, financial assistance to keep his property running was at the top of the list.
At the Tumut Service NSW Centre, Jeffery received help to apply for government grants, access financial assistance from a charity fund and replace important documentation including his birth certificate. Service NSW also organised a delivery of hay for his cattle to ease the pressure of keeping stock alive among his other pressing business and personal needs.
NSW bushfire recovery14 |
Sharing the love for NSWBushfires, drought and COVID-19 have had a devastating impact on NSW’s visitor economy.
To welcome visitors back and kick-start recovery in regional and rural economies, the NSW Government and its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW launched a multi-faceted program. Its focus was on rejuvenation, innovation and support for tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their products.
The first phase of the campaign was inspired by the outpouring of public support for communities affected by drought and bushfires. It urged people to “love NSW” and take a break that would give back to disaster-affected areas.
However, as travel restrictions to keep people safe during COVID-19 came into force, the campaign changed to promote the travel people could do following restrictions lifting on 1 June.
The “Love NSW” campaign will contribute to the existing bushfire recovery commitments and includes a $1 million regional events program to support existing flagship events, new micro-events, targeted marketing campaigns and programs intended to upskill tourism operators in disaster-affected communities.
. Visit NSW
visitnsw.com/lovensw
$10 mfor Destination NSW’s “Love NSW” campaign
$250,000per local government area for bushfire-affected councils to host local events
Image: Aerial footage over burned areas of the Snowy Mountains show the scale of devastation.
NSW bushfire recovery | 15
Nymboida’s community of volunteers were quick to rally around its locals to form the Helping Hub, coordinating offers of help and donations. Credit: Pete O’Malley
NSW bushfire recovery16 |
NSW assistance timeline The NSW Government’s commitment to bushfire recovery funding includes:
• $1.2 billion share of the joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements incorporating the Laing O’Rourke clean-up costs, grants for small businesses and primary producer grants
• $1 billion in infrastructure funding to repair destroyed and damaged assets
• $140 million Industry Package for horticulture, agriculture and forestry industries.
Image: Member for Bega The Hon. Andrew Constance MP, Minister for Disaster Recovery The Hon. John Barilaro MP (centre), and NSW Police Assistant Commissioner and then Bushfire Recovery Coordinator Mick Willing look over burned bushland near Nerrigundah on the NSW South Coast in late January.
NSW bushfire recovery | 17
Ongoing Disaster Recovery
Allowance payments for
people who lost income as a
result of bushfires started in August, and continued to
be paid through to February 2020
12 NovemberState of
Emergency declared for NSW
20 November
$25 mtowards the clean-up of properties
impacted by bushfires
19 December A second State of Emergency
is declared for NSW
extending over the Christmas
holidays
29 December New volunteer
firefighter payment
introduced
November 2019 December 2019 January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May / June 2020
3 January
$18.1 mto help businesses reopen and $4.5 m for mental health services across
Southern NSW from state and federal
governments
8 January
880tonnes of emergency fodder for farming families at Moruya, Bega and Cooma
9 January
$1 bover two years to rebuild the
bushfire-impacted communities
of NSW
Disaster Response Legal Service
launched to give free legal help to bushfire-affected
people
Bushfire Recovery Clinicians deployed
to offer mental health support
Bushfire Housing Assistance Service
launched
12 January Business support
and financial hardship provisions
for licensed premises
Over
2 tonnes of food and water
delivered to endangered
brush-tailed rock-wallaby habitats
21 January Full costs of
cleaning up eligible properties destroyed
by bushfires since July 2019 covered
Laing O’Rourke contracted to
lead the bushfire clean-up, alongside
local businesses
$75,000 Special Disaster
Grant for primary producers
22 JanuaryService NSW
launches Bushfire Customer Care
Service
4 February Financial support
for bushfire-affected businesses and councils made available through shared state and federal Disaster
Recovery Funding Arrangements,
including:
$50,000grants to small
businesses and non-profit organisations
Up to
$250,000 for local
community recovery
Loans of up to
$500,000 for ongoing
business continuity
5 February Cost of council
rates covered for six months
8 February
$10 mtourism recovery
package
13 February Free smoke taint tests for bushfire-
affected wine grape growers
9 March Stamp duty relief for homeowners
who lost property during bushfires
16 March
$10,000 grant for bushfire-
affected small businesses offered
to select local government areas
under state and federal government
arrangements
12 March
$3.5 mfor NSW apple
industry to restore orchards in Batlow
and Bilpin
12 April
$209 mfor farming
families to rebuild boundary
fences next to bushfire-affected
public lands
18 April
Over 100 temporary
accommodation pods built in
partnership with the Minderoo Foundation
20 April
$140 mBushfire Industry Recovery Package to support forestry,
horticulture and agriculture
industries
22 April
$10,000grant for bushfire-
affected small businesses
expanded to additional local
government areas
13 MayFee-free
TAFE courses program for
bushfire-affected communities
expanded
17 May
$8.5 m for Operation
Outreach to help people
not receiving or unable to access
assistance
31 MayFamily-sized
pods added to Minderoo
Foundation temporary
accommodation partnership
program
22 JuneRate relief extended
Six month council rate relief program extended to a year
30 June
$26 m Disaster Welfare Rebuild Program
Assistance for the state’s most
vulnerable families with no means to
replace their home
CS0864
Learn more resilience.nsw.gov.au
service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/bushfire-customer-care-service
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