The NSW Government has announced recovery hubs will be established in Woy Woy and Buledelah and hardship payments made available for individuals and families whose homes were destroyed or damaged due to the recent fires.
The hubs will open tomorrow, with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Vinnies, Salvation Army, Legal Aid, Red Cross and GIVIT, on hand to provide personal support to impacted communities.
The Government is partnering with local charities to deliver personal hardship payments of $900 to households where their home has been destroyed or severely damaged and up to $180 for households experiencing hardship as a result of the bushfires.
“These communities have faced fast moving and destructive fires, and our focus right now is making sure people have somewhere safe to stay and can access the essential support they need,” said Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin.
“Teams are on the ground working with combat agencies and councils to confirm damage to homes, businesses and public assets and support is already being delivered across all seven LGAs.”
Natural disaster declarations have been announced for seven Local Government Areas – Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle, Dubbo and Lake Macquarie, with emergency services and local councils working alongside the NSW Reconstruction Authority to confirm the extent of damage and ensure residents can access help as quickly as possible.
Residents, businesses, primary producers and councils in the declared LGAs are now able to access a range of support including:
- Emergency accommodation and essential support for people whose homes have been damaged
- Clean up assistance for eligible property owners
- Grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace essential household items and undertake structural repairs needed to make homes safe and habitable
- Freight subsidies to move livestock and fodder and small business and primary producer low interest loans
- Assistance for councils and emergency services for counter disaster operations and essential public asset repairs
Information, including how to apply for payments and support for impacted communities, can be found by visiting a Recovery Hub or at nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates.
The recovery hubs will be located at:
Central Coast Recovery Hub
- Location: Peninsula Community Centre, 98 McMasters Rd, Woy Woy;
- Open: 1pm to 5pm – Friday 12 December;
- Support services: NSW Reconstruction Authority, Central Coast Council, Service NSW, Vinnies, Legal Aid NSW.
Bulahdelah Recovery Assistance Point
- Location: Bulahdelah School of Arts, 76 Crawford Street, Bulahdelah;
- Open: 1pm to 5pm – Friday 12 December.
To keep up to date on recovery support visit nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates.
Recovery support is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the NSW Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
