Bushfire Recovery News and Updates

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 governmentContinue reading

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.

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 Landholders and primary producer assistance Show all

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
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.
Small Healthy Farms Biosecurity on the North Coast - Part 1

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Part One - Animal Health and Managing Pest Animals
Running a small farm or bush block can involve a lot more than you may think. Preventing the introduction and spread of diseases, pests and weeds onto your land are one of the most important things a landholder can do, and there are many factors that play into your decision making.
Come along to this FREE webinar to learn about weed management, animal health and biosecurity basics for your property including the most important weeds and pests to look out for at the moment in the North Coast region.
When
10 Sep 2020 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Region
North Coast
Where
On-line event Register at: https://adobe.ly/2DHVAMk
Contact
Ella Rasmussen Every Bit Counts North Coast Coordinator T: 0438 173 135 E: ella.rasmussen@lls.nsw.gov.au
Small Healthy Farms Biosecurity on the North Coast - Part 2

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Part Two - Managing Weeds and Farm Biosecurity
Running a small farm or bush block can involve a lot more than you may think. Preventing the introduction and spread of diseases, pests and weeds onto your land are one of the most important things a landholder can do, and there are many factors that play into your decision making.
Come along to this FREE webinar to learn about weed management, animal health and biosecurity basics for your property including the most important weeds and pests to look out for at the moment in the North Coast region.
When
17 Sep 2020 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Region
North Coast
Where
On-line event Register at: https://adobe.ly/3amJ1Sp
Contact
Ella Rasmussen Every Bit Counts North Coast Coordinator T: 0438 173 135 E: ella.rasmussen@lls.nsw.gov.au
Assistance for landholders and primary producers

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There is recovery assistance, grants and advice available for landholders, primary producers, commercial fishers and other industries impacted by the recent bushfires.
For information, visit the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Bushfire response and recovery page: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/bushfires
If you have concerns about livestock call the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647 for assistance.
BlazeAidHelps to Rebuild Fences in Orara Valley

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Volunteers from BlazeAid have set-up camp at the Glenreagh Recreation Reserve to help Orara Valley locals recover from the recent bushfires by rebuilding fences.

Orara Valley residents from both the Coffs Harbour City Council and Clarence Valley Council local government areas are encouraged to register with BlazeAid for assistance with the rebuilding of fences that have been impacted by the 2019 bushfires.
To be eligible for assistance you will need to register by calling the Glenreagh Camp Coordinator John Lillico on 0484 145 732.
About BlazeAid
BlazeAid volunteers offer practical labour and work with families and individuals in rural Australia after natural disasters such as fires and floods. Equally importantly, the volunteers also aim to help lift the spirits of those who have been impacted. BlazeAid volunteers often work in a disaster-affected area for many months helping rebuild the local communities.

BlazeAid is a volunteer organisation which relies on the support of local communities to provide volunteers who have the capacity to offer their time to work with their regular teams.

If you or your organisation can help, please contact the camp coordinator, John Lillico. For more information on Blazeaid and its work, go to: blazeaid.com.au
First published on 19 February 2020.