Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
Farmers, small businesses and regional communities recovering from the worst bushfire season in memory are set to benefit from close to $5 million in Commonwealth funding for NSW’s legal assistance services.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said this investment will play an important role in helping our community recover from the devastating bushfire season.
“The fires not only caused the loss of life, homes, livestock and property, but in their wake, the flames also left many people across our community with difficult legal problems,” Mr Singh said.
“For anyone on the Coffs Coast facing insurance claims, tenancy issues, financial hardship, social security entitlements and other legal problems caused by the bushfires, this investment will mean they have access to more free legal support than ever before.”
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the funding will boost a range of legal assistance services and programs.
“Almost $3 million in funding will help individuals navigating legal issues caused by the bushfires and made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Barilaro said.
“A further $2 million will be invested to provide legal support for small businesses and primary producers. This will allow Legal Aid NSW to launch a new grants program, enabling private lawyers to access grants of aid to deliver free legal services to local businesses impacted by bushfires.”
Attorney General Mark Speakman said the funding will boost the capacity of Legal Aid, Community Legal Centres and the Aboriginal Legal Service to support individuals in bushfire affected areas across the State.
The $4.9 million Bushfire Funding Agreement is part of the Australian Government’s $2 billion response to the 2019-20 Bushfire Disaster over two years.
The Agreement will deliver the following legal assistance supports:
Individuals
- Boost Legal Aid’s Disaster Response Legal Service to provide advice and referrals on issues including insurance claims, financial hardship, accommodation and Centrelink entitlements.
- Additional staff at five generalist Community Legal Centres (CLCs) in bushfire affected communities and three specialist CLCs delivering services to bushfire affected individuals.
- Increase the capacity of the Aboriginal Legal Service to provide its services to individuals in bushfire affected communities.
Businesses and primary producers
- Establish and promote a new grants policy for private practitioners to deliver legal services to small business and primary producers for bushfire related issues.
- Extend Justice Connect’s pro bono platform to link small business and primary producers with pro bono services.
- Support the Financial Rights Legal Centre to continue offering its services specialising in areas including consumer credit, banking, debt recovery and insurance to small business and primary producers.
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
Psychological First Aid
Psychological First Aid training develops personal ability and response to those in distress after a traumatic community event. Lifeline North Coast have highly qualified trainers who are offering a free training course (and guidance) to support the emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing of your community.
The Psychological First Aid training program will empower you from a crisis-centred approach to one of resiliency-building and develop your ability to respond to those in distress after traumatic events and disasters (including COVID-19).
This training is applicable in a range of contexts including the workplace, disaster response, critical incidents such as vehicle accidents, infectious pandemics, terrorism and community tragedy.
Please click on the link to learn more and register for training.
27 July 9.00 am - 1.00 pm https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/psychological-first-aid-registration-111562687000
28 July 9.00 am - 1.00 pm https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/psychological-first-aid-registration-111570171386
If you do not have internet access or you would like to discuss this program further, please call 66 514 093.
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
Free Mosaic Workshop at Nana Glen
Make a Bird, Bee or Butterfly Bath
All material supplied, however you are welcome to use your own china and pottery pieces if you wish.
Open to Nana Glen residents (13 years +).
Nana Glen Hall
Saturday 25 July Design and Tiling: 9.00am - 2.00pm
Sunday 26 July Grout up: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Boooked out. To be placed on a waitlist and for further information please contact leading artist Pamela Denise on mobile 0427 728 450.
Funded by Red Cross
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
Many residents have requested an update regarding bushfire recovery grant funding. There are a number of projects and activities being planned or underway to support the recovery of the Orara Valley community. The delivery and structure of many of these projects have been hindered by government COVID-19 restrictions. However, Council remains committed to planning and thinking creatively to ensure projects are delivered. Funding projects target different needs within the community and where possible are community-led.
Coffs Harbour City Council received $ 1.4 million in bushfire funding from the State and Federal Governments to support the community. These funds will support the projects outlined below and all funding is required to be acquitted through the funding agencies to ensure funds are spent in accordance with funding agreements.
Project |
Commonwealth
$1.3 m
|
State
$100 k
|
Total |
Business and Tourism |
$18 000 |
$50 000 |
$68 000 |
Community Recovery/Resilience |
|
$50 000 |
$50 000 |
Nana Glen Community Hall upgrade |
$70 000 |
|
$70 000 |
Community Recovery Officer position |
$150 000 |
|
$150 000 |
Hard stand sites for emergency water access |
$250 000 |
|
$250 000 |
Turn around bays for emergency vehicles |
$70 000 |
|
$70 000 |
Unallocated funds |
$78 784 |
|
$78 784 |
Upgrade of Neighbourhood Safer Places |
$200 000 |
|
$200 000 |
Environmental Recovery Program |
$213 216 |
|
$213 216 |
Upgrade to McPhersons Road Bridge (Crown asset) |
$250 000 |
|
$250 000 |
Total |
$1 300 000 |
$100 000 |
$140 000 |
Business & Tourism
Whilst the Orara Valley was directly impacted by bushfire, other parts of the business community throughout the wider local government area were also indirectly impacted by bushfire activity. As a result, the Council received $100 000 from the Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund. This project was designed to assist with economic recovery and drive visitation to the Coffs Harbour area through events and activities that showcase the Orara Valley. The following activities have been postponed due to government COVID-19 restrictions and are now planned for November and December. Tourism and business recovery activities include:
- Support of existing markets including promotion activity, support for organisers and development of small businesses.
- Showcase Orara Valley’s products and abilities to the wider Coffs Coast and surrounding regions with a local food flavours “long lunch” in the Orara Valley.
- Development and promotion of a tourism trail across the Orara Valley, showcasing the variety of experiences.
- Imagery/videography and content for local community and business to promote community atmosphere and liveability.
Community Recovery and Resilience
Successful Disaster Recovery specialist Anne Leadbeater states, “Being recovered is being able to live a life you have reason to value”. Successful recovery is community-centred, responsive and flexible, ensuring there is community engagement and support to move forward.
Community Recovery and Resilience activities have been severely impacted by COVID-19 restrictions but planning around events continues. Events currently under consultation or in the planning phase include:
- Community preparedness activities to help educate community about preparing property for bushfire and promoting a bushfire plan.
- Inviting Disaster Recovery Specialist speakers to help educate community about the recovery process.
- School recovery art project.
- Supporting community organisations to host community events.
The Community Recovery Officer (CRO) wants your ideas on how to promote recovery and resilience in the community. All ideas are welcome including any existing community-led activities that bring community together. Please email the CRO your ideas or complete the survey Have Your Say - Allocating Bushfire Recovery Funding. Email: melinda.brooks@chcc.nsw.gov.au
Nana Glen Memorial Hall Upgrade
Whilst not damaged in the bushfire, the Nana Glen Memorial is utilised by a variety of community groups and is identified as a NSW Rural Fire Service Neighbourhood Safer Place. To improve the amenity of the Hall upgrade works included the installation of solar panels and air-conditioning.
Community Recovery Officer Position
The appointment of a CRO enables a dedicated position to work alongside affected property owners and the broader community and liaise with Council; community groups; various State agencies; charitable organisations; and nongovernment organisations to enable and support the community during the recovery process. The CRO was appointed in April.
Hard Stand Sites and Emergency Vehicle Turnaround Bays
The upgrade of hard stand sites will ensure durable water access across the local government area during fire emergencies. Locales for the hard stand sites include: Brooklana; Camp Creek; Ulong; Lowanna; Nana Glen; Bucca; Moonee; Upper Corindi; Bonville. Locales for turnaround bays for emergency vehicles include: Gunderene Road; Powerline; Mole Creek; and Georges Gold Mine.
Assessments of works will commence in August with rolling completion dates to be finalised by November.
Upgrade of Neighbourhood Safer Places
Neighbourhood Safer Places are designated by the NSW Rural Fire Services as a place of last resort during a bushfire. Subject to further planning, Council is seeking to upgrade the Eastern Dorrigo Community Hall at Ulong and Lowanna Community Hall to be used by community and emergency service personnel during a bushfire emergency.
Environmental Recovery Program
Consultation has included speaking to residents and community environmental groups. The main community concerns include: weed control; erosion control and mitigation; regeneration of burnt lands and installation of nesting boxes. The Environmental Recovery Program will likely unfold in two phases and coordination of service providers and guidelines around the program are currently being planned.
Upgrade to McPhersons Road Bridge (Crown asset)
During the bushfire event there was uncertainty as to whether the McPhersons Road Bridge could support the weight of a loaded fire appliance. An external consultant is presently reviewing the load bearing assessment of the bridge and if the bridge is certified as load bearing, no further action will be required. Alternatively, if the bridge is deemed not to be load bearing, Council will seek to advocate Crown Lands to replace the bridge. Should this bid be unsuccessful, Council will complete the work with the allocated Commonwealth funding.
Should funding not be required, the $250 000 will be reallocated as an additional $100 000 for upgrade of Neighbourhood Safer Places project and $150 000 to the Environmental Recovery Program.
Please feel free to contact the Community Recovery Officer if you would like further information.
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
To find out more information and to Have Your Say about bushfire recovery funding for Community Recovery and Resilience, Community Preparedness and Environmental Recovery please click on the Surveys & Forms tab and Complete Form.
Please feel free to contact Melinda Brooks on Email: melinda.brooks@chcc.nsw.gov.au or Phone: 6648 4840
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
Australian Red Cross invites you to share and discuss the challenges of caring for wildlife as a volunteer first responder when faced with the additional complexity of disasters.
Join Australian Red Cross as they host psychologist Lyn Page (member of the Australian Psychological Society Disaster Response Network and a Red Cross volunteer field psychologist) and founder and CEO of Two Green Threads Suzy Nethercott-Watson as they explore these challenges.
Two Green Threads is a registered charity supporting the people that rescue and care for our wildlife.
Online via Zoom - Please register by clicking on your preferred webinar time:
Wed 10 June 11:00am: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xWG7qG1QQ_WiHSTR7HcVlQ
Wed 10 June 7:30pm: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nwjhVUwdQuebjVi1Aod_sQ
Please send your questions for Lyn and Suzy through to recovery@redcross.org.au
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
Are you a neighbourhood centre, community service or grass roots organisation working hard to support your community as they recover from the Black Summer bushfires?
Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery Advisors and Mentors Australia (DRAMA) invites you to join them as they host Kris Newton, Manager of Mountains Community Resource Network and Anne Crestani, Manager of Step by Step Recovery Support Service as they share their own experiences and learnings of working within the post-disaster community recovery space.
This webinar will provide community organisations with insight on how to navigate formal recovery arrangements and how the work they do can support critical community-led long-term recovery.
Audience: Community service and grass root organisations, neighbourhood houses etc.
Thursday 4th June 2020
Time: 3:00pm
Please register by clicking on the webinar link below:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XO5-l5KcT7elHhRZz2uT3Q
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
The Orara Valley Progression Association (OVPA) has been successful in securing grant funding from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal for Community Recovery. Ross and Faye Neil from Glenreagh HeartStart will volunteer their time as Team Leaders to support recovery efforts of the community, investigate establishing Community Hubs in Nana Glen and Glenreagh and to improve wellbeing of individuals and the community. HeartStart and the Coffs Harbour Council Community Recovery Officer will work in cooperation to support community recovery.
You can contact Ross and Faye by email heartstart@glenreagh.org.au or mobile 0439 190 076
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency (NBRA) is committed to ensuring people in bushfire affected areas are supported and have access to the help and information they need.
The aim of the questionnaire is to find out how to best support people with information as the recovery process continues. There are 8 questions and should take less than 10 minutes to complete. The questionnaire is open until the end of May.
The Social Deck is managing the questionnaire on behalf of the NBRA and during May will host a number of online group discussions. Community members can express an interest to participate via the questionnaire or by emailing engage@thesocialdeck.com
If you have any questions or would like support in completing the questionnaire, please contact The Social Deck at engage@thesocialdeck.com or phone 0491 617 118. Information is collected and used in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988.
Access the questionnaire via the link https://bit.ly/bushfiresrecovery
Share on Facebook
Share on Linkedin
Email this link
While COVID-19 introduces a new challenge to bushfire recovery, the NSW Government and Coffs Harbour City Council are determined to maintain momentum and keep delivering help to bushfire impacted communities.
The way in which assistance is delivered will have to adapt to the new circumstances.
The NSW Government program with clean-up program with Laing O’Rourke will continue. It’s been deemed an essential service.
Community and contractor safety is paramount. Laing O’Rourke project teams are implementing measures to protect our community and staff and contractors.
They are still aiming to have most of the residential properties cleared by 30 June.
Properties used for residential, small business or primary production purposes are eligible for the clean-up program. This includes insured and uninsured properties.
While free, you must opt-on for clean-up. Call Service NSW on 13 77 88 to register, or do it online.
COVID-19 and Coffs City Council services and programs
The Recovery Office at Nana Glen has been closed until further notice. Keep an eye on this page for recovery updates.
There is a Coronavirus page on Council’s website with updated information on any current changes to other Coffs City Council services and community activities.
As updates and information are changing frequently we strongly recommend downloading the official Government “Coronavirus Australia” app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join their WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.
Bushfire Recovery Action Plan
Bushfire Recovery Community Workshop_March 2020 (4.58 MB) (pdf)
