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 Health and wellbeing   Show all

  • Summer Bushfires: How are the plant and animal survivors 6 months on?

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    Australia roared into 2020 as a land on fire. The human and property loss was staggering, but the damage to nature was equally hard to fathom. By the end of the fire season 18.6 million hectares of land was destroyed.

    So what’s become of animal and plant survivors in the months since?

    Click to explore the impact Australia’s summer of fires had on an already drought-ravaged landscape and the work being done to rescue and recover habitats.

  • Australian Bushfires Report

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    January – June 2020

    Red Cross is pleased to present its six-month bushfire report, a testament to the strength of those who endured the Black Summer bushfires, the kindness of those who donated, and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.

    Because of you, Red Cross have been able to:
    • support 49,718 people through 37 fires from September to March
    • disburse $133m at 30 June, including grants for 4,380 people (and counting!)
    • establish a recovery footprint in 47 local government areas

    The report provides a full account of how donor funds are being used, plus insight into the triple burden of drought, bushfires and COVID-19, the key components of the organisation's recovery program, and recommendations to the Natural Disasters Royal Commission.

    Read the report here.

  • Free Disaster Recovery Webinar: David Younger

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    Bushfire Recovery During COVID-19. Personal and Community Resilience

    Please join Australian Red Cross Disaster Recovery Advisors and Mentors Australia (DRAMA) for a webinar as they host disaster recovery expert David Younger to talk about personal and community resilience in the face of bushfire recovery and COVID-19.

    David is a Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience supporting communities affected by natural disasters and emergencies.

    Discussion topics include:

    • Understanding Recovery

    • Why Does it Feel So Hard?

    • The Triple Whammy “Bushfire, Drought and COVID-19”

    • How to Promote Self-Care, Connection and Wellbeing


      Audience: Communities impacted by disasters and COVID-19

      Date: Thursday 23rd July 2020

      Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm (AEST)

      Please register by clicking on the webinar link below:

      https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CStrgxqiQDq4V4hxkD6poQ

    Please send your questions for David through to recovery@redcross.org.au







  • Free Training Psychological First Aid: Lifeline North Coast

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    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.

  • Get Back to Making Lovely

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    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

  • Bushfire Funding: Have Your Say

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    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


  • Glenreagh HeartStart: Financial Assistance and Gift Vouchers

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    If you are in need of financial assistance for something urgent or have incurred bushfire costs and would like to be reimbursed, contact Glenreagh HeartStart.

    HeartStart are working with the Orara Valley Progress Association, who have limited funds available, to assist in meeting your financial needs. As a demonstration of commitment, anyone directly affected by bushfire who contacts HeartStart will be entitled to receive a $100 gift voucher.

    Property Issues

    Fencing materials, earthworks hire, sewerage works, tree felling, power poles, small sheds, etc.

    Personal & Household Items

    Clothing & footwear, vehicle repairs, linen, cooking, heating, refrigeration, etc.

    Living Expenses

    Phone & power bills, rates, insurances, legal fees, etc.


    Contact: Faye Neil Mobile 0439 190 076 Email heartstart@glenreagh.org.au

  • Red Cross Webinar: Sharing the Challenges Faced by Volunteer Wildlife Carers

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    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

  • Red Cross Webinar: Supporting Community Service Organisations Through Disaster Recovery

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    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

  • Mental health support for our community

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    The emotional impacts of bushfire can continue long after the fires have passed. You might also be feeling additional distress and anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak. Support is available, you are not alone.

    The following are free services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

    • Lifeline Bushfire Recovery: 13 43 57
    • Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
    • MensLine Australia: 1300 78 9978
    • Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
    • NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511

    If you are anyone you know is in immediate danger, call 000.

    Northern NSW - Connect to Wellbeing

    The following free service is available to people impacted by fires and drought. No GP referral is needed. Call Northern NSW - Connect to Wellbeing on 1300 160 339.