Bushfire Recovery News and Updates

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Consultation has concluded

Our bushfire recovery page was created to support those in the Orara Valley, and other communities within our local government area, as they recover from the November 2019 bushfires.


There is a range of assistance available for local households, businesses, industries and landholders.

Coffs Harbour City Council is working in collaboration with the emergency services, State and Federal government agencies, charities and others to deliver this assistance.

Service NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service

For people impacted by bushfire, the NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service will help you navigate the support and financial assistance that's available across all levels of government

Our bushfire recovery page was created to support those in the Orara Valley, and other communities within our local government area, as they recover from the November 2019 bushfires.


There is a range of assistance available for local households, businesses, industries and landholders.

Coffs Harbour City Council is working in collaboration with the emergency services, State and Federal government agencies, charities and others to deliver this assistance.

Service NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service

For people impacted by bushfire, the NSW Bushfire Customer Care Service will help you navigate the support and financial assistance that's available across all levels of government.

Service NSW provides one-on-one support for people and businesses.

They can help with:

  • Accommodation advice
  • Relevant charitable services
  • Mental health and wellbeing services
  • Support for businesses
  • Clean-up services
  • Financial assistance
  • Grants and rebates
  • Insurance and legal support
  • Replacing lost ID
  • Volunteer RFS and SES payments.

Call 13 77 88 or visit the Service NSW website to register for a callback.

Community Consultation

This page will be used periodically for community consultation to learn what ideas our community may have for recovery and to find ways to improve disaster management in future events.

As of April 2020, Council has undertaken a series of community consultations with Orara Valley
residents and the broader community to inform the development of the proposed Program of Works for recovery including:

  • Community meetings at Nana Glen Community Hall on 28 January 2020 and 11 March 2020
  • A ‘Have Your Say’ survey on this page which received 42 responses
  • Telephone and in-person interviews with Nana Glen residents and Orara Valley businesses

Feedback has also been consolidated by the Acting Community Recovery Officer and from the community-led Orara Valley Bushfire Recovery Working Group

Additionally, Council has consulted internally and with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

'Sign Up' on this page to stay informed on further opportunities for consultation as well as community recovery updates.

Consultation has concluded

Category Community recovery news and events   Show all

  • GIVIT

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    In partnership with the NSW Government, GIVIT is managing donations during this recovery. To help the people and communities impacted by the severe storms and flooding, give what’s needed when it’s needed. View exactly what’s needed via www.GIVIT.org.au - you can donate money, items, services or volunteer support.

    PLEASE DO NOT SEND UNREQUESTED DONATIONS

    We know people are incredibly generous, but unrequested donations hinder recovery efforts and at this crucial time it’s important to not overwhelm charities on-the-ground. GIVIT’s website captures all donations online, so you can see and give exactly what's needed.

    BEST WAY TO HELP? FUND DONATIONS

    100% of donated money GIVIT receives is used to purchase essential items and services needed by people impacted. They buy locally, wherever possible, to also support local businesses. Please do not bring in donations that can be bought locally.

    Thank you all for your generosity to help the people and communities affected by this ongoing disaster.

  • Hotspots Fire Project

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    Managing fire on your property and across the landscape

    The Hotspots Fire Project enables landholders and public land managers to work together to reduce bush fire risk across the landscape, whilst maintaining and improving biodiversity and protecting Cultural Heritage.

    FREE two-day workshop

    For landholders in the Nana Glen Area

    In conjunction with Coffs Harbour City Council

    Orara Valley Hotspots Fire Project workshop series

    Discuss risk management, fire ecology, recovery and regeneration Understand how your neighbours and other land management agencies manage fire

    Receive a large aerial photo of your property to develop your own Fire Management Plan Participate in field-based exercises and observe a demonstration burn

    When: Workshop 1 – 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, 8 May 2021

    Workshop 2 – 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, 22 May 2021

    Where: Meet at the Nana Glen Hall, 26 Grafton Street, Nana Glen

    For more information and to register contact Jamie Bertram, NSW Rural Fire Service on 0408 839 523.

    Visit Hotspots Fire Project

  • Family Fun Day - Orara Valley Community Pool

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    All community members are invited to come and enjoy a family fun day at Orara Valley Pool. Inflatables will be in the water and free entry for all.

    When:

    Sunday February 28

    Sunday March 28

    Open: 12.00 pm to 4.00 pm

    Where: Grafton Street, Nana Glen

    This is a COVID safe event and numbers will be restricted.

    For enquiries please contact Michelle on 0427 492 244

    Supported by the Coffs Harbour City Council Bushfire Recovery Program.

  • Kids News Bushfire Poetry Competition

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    One year on from the start of Black Summer, Kids News is launching the Bushfire Poetry Competition.

    Kids News wants children and teenagers around the country — and particularly those in fire-affected regions — to share their experiences of the fires, then and now in a poem.

    The poem might be a 'thank you' to firefighters, a tribute to all that was lost or a celebration of your own or your community’s resilience. It might be about how the fires looked and smelt, how you felt back then, or how you feel now, looking back at last summer.

    Two poems — one from a primary school student and one from a secondary school student — will be selected to be included in a special book to commemorate the Black Summer bushfires.

    The book, a joint project between HarperCollins Publishers, News Corp Australia and the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, will capture the experiences of the people and communities affected by the fires — in photos and stories of courage, perseverance and recovery.

    Poem entries cannot be more than 200 words (1400 characters). You will need your teacher or parent/guardian to submit your entry for you, as well as permission from your parent or guardian. Entries close at 5pm on February 20, 2021.

    Enter the Kids News Bushfire Poetry Competition here

  • Nana Glen Cricket Club - Charity Bash

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    All Welcome - Social Tournament

    When: Sunday, January 24

    Where: Len Towells Oval, Nana Glen

    Starts: 9.00am


    Eight team spots available, $300 per team.

    To register a team (mixed teams of 10 players) contact:

    Scott - 0419 536 879

    Jay - 0478 285 752

    Proceeds from team registrations donated to the Orara Valley Progress Association.


    Supported by the Coffs Harbour City Council Bushfire Recovery Program.

    This is a COVID safe event.

  • Summer Break Camps

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    The NSW Government is offering kids living in parts of regional NSW impacted by bushfires, COVID-19 border closures and the effects of drought a much-needed break with a free camp experience these school holidays.

    As the unrelenting conditions in regional NSW place pressure on budgets, the NSW Government is standing side by side with regional communities to ensure they receive the support and assistance they need.

    Summer Break offers three-day holiday camps free of charge to people living in parts of regional NSW impacted by bushfires, COVID-19 border closures and the effects of drought.

    Take a break, get active, and have some fun at one of seven great Sport and Rec camp locations. There are over 500 FREE places available for eligible kids at fourteen camps across 7 Sport and Recreation Centres.

    Activities can include from archery, kayaking, bushwalks, cooking, craft and much more! Meals, accommodation and activities included, plus free transport thanks to Transport for NSW.

    Summer Break camps at the Sport and Recreation Centres are a NSW Government initiative, funded by the Office for Regional Youth, Office of Sport, Transport for NSW and the Department of Education.

    Book Your Summer Break Camp here

    Local Camps include but other areas available:

    • Lake Ainsworth: 11 - 13 January (13 - 15 years)
  • Government Support Available for Flood-Affected Residents

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    Due to recent flooding, emergency assistance is now available for residents in the Coffs Harbour area who have been severely affected by storms and floods.

    Disaster assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

    Assistance available under the DRFA may include:

    • Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged.

    • In-kind assistance such as emergency accommodation, food hampers or small cash payments to purchase essential items, as well as grants to replace essential household contents or repair structural damage to homes.

    • Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations.

    • Freight subsidies for primary producers.

    For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.

    To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au

    Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.

  • Bushfire Response Program

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    What the Bushfire Response Program Offers

    The Bushfire Response Program provides targeted mental health support to schools and early learning services affected by the Black Summer bushfires across Australia.

    Informed by placed-based and community-led principles, the Program empowers bushfire-affected communities to lead their own recovery.

    The Bushfire Response Program offers schools and early learning services a package of support comprising four primary elements: Contact Liaison Officers, trauma support and guidance, recovery planning and community support service mapping.

    The Bushfire Response Resource Pack provides information related to mental health and wellbeing for schools and early learning services affected by bushfires.


    How to Find Out More

    If you would like to find out more – or think your learning community might benefit from this Program – send us a message via our Contact page and a Contact Liaison Officer will be in touch.

    The Bushfire Response Program is led by Beyond Blue in partnership with Early Childhood Australia, headspace and Emerging Minds

  • Kids Christmas Workshop

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    Come and enjoy a fun filled workshop creating natural Christmas decorations and wreaths. In the evening take a walk with your family to see the Christmas light display at the Botanic Gardens.

    When: Saturday 5th December 2020

    Where: North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens, Coff St & Hardacre Street, Coffs Harbour

    Workshop Bookings Essential: Session One: 12pm- 2pm OR Session Two: 3pm - 5pm

    Welcome ages 5 - 10 / $6 per person / Book online through 'book now'.

    All proceeds will go towards supporting the Children's Environmental Education Garden, at the North Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. For more information, please contact Prosper Coffs Harbour on admin@prospercoffs.org.au. All COVID regulations will be undertaken to ensure a safe event for participants.

  • Hotspots Fire Project - Community Information Session

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    About this Event

    Hotspots Fire Project - Community Information Session

    Hotspots is an award winning program which provides landholders and land managers with the skills and knowledge to actively participate in fire management for the protection of life and property, while at the same time ensuring healthy productive landscapes in which biodiversity is protected and maintained.

    Based on best available science and operational knowledge, Hotspots understand that well-informed and well-prepared communities complement the roles of land managers and fire agencies. A shared approach to fire management is critical to any form of planning.

    The Hotspots team will be running an information session in Nana Glen for people who are interested to find out more and potentially participate in the program in 2021.

    When: Saturday December 5

    Where: Nana Glen Community Hall

    Time: 10.00 am - 11.00 am


    IMPORTANT: To ensure this is a COVID safe event, registration is required for all people attending.

    To register please click here

    For enquiries please contact Melinda Brooks on 0417 828 591

    This free event is supported by the Coffs Harbour City Council Bushfire Recovery Program.