Bushfire Assistance
Register for Bushfire Generated Green Waste Clean-up
Register your expression of interest to participate in the Bushfire Generated Green Waste Clean-up and Processing program
Bushfire Recovery Newsletter
Download the monthly newsletters prepared by Council’s Community Recovery Officer, Rachel Nicoll
Recovery support services
If you have been affected by bushfires, Recovery Support Services will help you in your recovery journey by providing personalised, long-term support.
Register for NSW bushfire clean-up
Register to opt in to the NSW bushfire clean-up
Bush Fire Recovery Guide
Council has developed a guide to all the services and support that is available to those affected by the recent bushfires.
Bushfire Community Grants Program
Lithgow Council is offering communities impacted by the 2019-2020 Summer Bushfires grants of up to $10,000 and above (subject to application and funding availability).
Council news
Lithgow City Council and Maldhan Ngurr Ngurra Transformation Hub pledges support for fire-affected businesses
Lithgow City Council and Western Sydney University are working together to assist businesses impacted by the 2019/20 fires by offering FREE co-working facilities at the Maldhan Ngurr Ngurra Lithgow Transformation Hub. Launched at the Strengthening Business Networking event on Thursday 28 October, Council’s Community Recovery Officer Rachel Nicoll said the partnership was focused on offering immediate and longer-term assistance. “The Hub and Council are working together to help affected...
Lithgow Readiness Rally
Equipping locals for future emergency events You’re invited to learn about disaster preparedness and community resilience through a FREE online virtual event on Saturday, 20 November 2021 from 6pm to 7.00pm. Engaging presentations and information from local emergency services, community organisations and businesses will cover the following topics: Bushfire seasonal update Weeds and environment / FireWise Gardens Bushfire design and construction Good habits to reduce your house and property...
Lifeline Central West Accidental Counsellor Training
If you reside, or work, in the LITHGOW area, then you can attend this fully-funded workshop virtually: Virtual Accidental Counsellor 11 AND 12 October 10am-12.30pm To register: https://lifelinecentralwest.org.au/11_LIT02AC_O Have you ever found yourself supporting a friend, family member, work colleague, or even a stranger who is experiencing distress or a crisis, and you aren’t sure what to say? Our Accidental Counsellor training can provide you with the skills needed to support your...
LETS GET TALKING – FREE ONLINE ZOOM WORKSHOPS
Step by Step Recovery Support Service is a personalised service which assists people who have been affected by the bush fires or other emergency events. Their wonderful Wellbeing Steppers are offering a program of online zoom workshops Free to join over the next six weeks: LETS GET TALKING - FREE ONLINE ZOOM WORKSHOPS Tuesdays 10am – 10.40am FACILITATED BY WELL BEING COUNSELLORS JOIN ONE OR AS MANY AS YOU LIKE book with workshop facilitator Week...
Digital Drop In
Already a month into the new financial year - this is a great time to be planning what you're going to do in your business during 2021/22. With the continuation of COVID-19, there is going to be ongoing problems, particularly for businesses. In the meantime, there's plenty you can be doing online to prepare and promote your business until something approaching "normal business conditions" emerges. The Strengthening Business Program and Lithgow City Council are excited to be bringing you some...
Artist callout for bushfire exhibition
Lithgow City Council is inviting artists and community members to submit artworks for a special exhibition documenting the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires. The exhibition, titled ReNew, will be hosted at the Union Theatre Gallery in the lead up to the major bushfire readiness expo being planned for later this year. ReNew will present artworks by the local community that respond to the bushfires, capturing our collective experience and subsequent journey to recovery and resilience. “The fires...
Lithgow Business Resilience Program
Lithgow’s small businesses are being offered a free helping hand in responding to business challenges and recovery from bushfire and other events. Every business faces exposure to risk, whether it be a natural crisis such as a bushfire or flood, or man-made such as accident or illness. Not having a plan in place in the event of an emergency can seriously compromise your ability to protect your business and act in times of crisis. Lithgow City Council, in partnership with the Strengthening...
Well Being Outreach Program
For disaster affected residents in Lithgow, Mid-Western, Hawkesbury & Blue Mountains Gateway Family Support Services and Wentworth Healthcare are partnering to provide free outreach wellbeing support for residents in Lithgow, Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains. The Well Being program sits alongside Gateway’s Step by Step Recovery Support Service to provide a comprehensive range of practical, emotional and psychological support to residents affected by the 2019/20 bushfires and the...
Lithgow’s Small Businesses Get a Free Helping Hand For Business Challenges and Recovery From Bushfire and Other Events
Lithgow’s Small Businesses Get a Free Helping Hand For Business Challenges and Recovery From Bushfire and Other Events Every business faces exposure to risk, whether it be a natural crisis such as a bushfire or flood, or man-made such as accident or illness. Not having a plan in place in the event of an emergency can seriously compromise your ability to protect your business and act in times of crisis. Lithgow City Council, in partnership with the Strengthening Business Service, part of the...
Free trauma-related training for frontline workers
Phoenix Australia is offering free workshops across regional Australia to help frontline workers support trauma-impacted employees, colleagues and community members. The training will help anyone who’s on the frontline to better help people affected by the recent bushfires and floods, as well as stressors like COVID-19. Workshops like these are a valuable opportunity to learn new skills, brush up on old ones, and meet other frontline workers in your region. The training offers simple,...
Mental Health Resources
New mental health products for Lithgow residents
If you or someone you know are considering reaching out for emotional and mental health support for the first time, you might be wondering where to start. Lithgow-specific mental health products are now available, showing who you can call in our local area to access free counselling and other support. Help is available for anyone who needs a hand. Floods, bushfires, cyclones, and drought have always been a part of the Australian landscape, and in recent times hazards like the COVID-19 pandemic...
Bushfire Grants
Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants Program
The $280 million Black Summer Bushfire Recovery (BSBR) grants program will support community recovery from the 2019-20 bushfires, and are an opportunity for communities who still require assistance to access support for their recovery journey. Grants can range from $20,000 to $10 million. A broad range of recovery and resilience projects can be supported through the grants – from social and community wellbeing projects right through to projects that support the recovery of local economies...
Recovery Boost $50 000 grant program now open
The third round of the Recovery Boost funding program is now open. The Recovery Boost program provides up to $50,000 for mental health projects that encourage early help seeking, support recovery and reduce stigma. Benefits and lessons from these projects will broaden the evidence base of what works. There is a particular interested in proposals from people with lived experience of workplace mental health recovery, regional and remote businesses, Aboriginal people and businesses, culturally...
$50,000 Bushfire Recovery Grants available for projects in regions impacted by Black Summer bushfires – NOW OPEN!
Eligible local Landcare groups, environment networks and community groups working on bushfire recovery projects can now access funding of approximately $50,000 - and landscape scale partnerships projects of up to approximately $300,000 in a new grants program funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. The $14 million Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants program is supporting Landcare bushfire recovery projects in seven government...
Bushfire recovery funding for Lithgow LGA
Lithgow Council will receive up to $250,000 of funding under the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund to assist the region in the recovery from last summer’s horrific bushfire season. Large sections of the local government area were impacted by the 2019/20 fires, making the council eligible for funding to support its vast recovery process. This joint Commonwealth and NSW governments funding arrangement allows investment in projects that will directly benefit recovery efforts and...
Further Support for Primary Producers and Small Businesses in Bushfire Communities
Bushfire-impacted dairy farmers, fruit growers and forestry businesses are set to benefit from recovery funding to help them get back on their feet and back to work, thanks to the NSW Government’s $140 million Bushfire Industry Recovery Package. Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said targeted grants would be available to help the forestry, horticulture, apiculture, aquaculture, viticulture and dairy industries retain and create jobs and support them to...
Small Business Support Grants
If your small business has experienced a significant decline in revenue as a result of the NSW 2019-2020 bushfires (beginning in August 2019), and it's located within a specified Local Government Area (LGA), you may be eligible for the $10,000 small business support grant. The application process for this grant has been simplified so eligible small businesses can access funds as quickly as possible. The grant may be used for, but is not limited to: meeting standard business costs,...
$140 million program opens for bushfire impacted forestry, horticulture and agriculture industries.
Bushfire-impacted dairy farmers, fruit growers and forestry businesses are set to benefit from recovery funding to help them get back on their feet and back to work, thanks to the NSW Government’s $140 million Bushfire Industry Recovery Package. Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said targeted grants would be available to help the forestry, horticulture, apiculture, aquaculture, viticulture and dairy industries retain and create jobs and support them to...
NSW Bushfire Clean Up
Register to opt in to the NSW bushfire clean up The NSW Government and the Commonwealth are covering the full cost of cleaning up eligible NSW properties that have been destroyed by bushfires since July 2019. To register or further information can be found on Service NSW website at www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-opt-nsw-bushfire-clean
Step by Step Recovery Support Services
Recovery from bushfires is a step by step process. It can help to have someone walk with you for part of the journey. Step by Step workers can provide you with support: Accessing grants and payments Dealing with paperwork and applications Being linked with recovery services and assistance Dealing with insurance Getting emotional support Being kept informed about recovery assistance Having someone to talk with who understands To speak with a Step by Step worker call: 0417 298 832 Or...
Mental Health Assistance
Mental Health Assistance for people impacted by fires and drought: Rural Adversity Mental Health Program – Local Coordinator Sonia Cox - 0448 125 676 Sonia.Cox@health.nsw.gov.au www.nbmphn.com.au/Community/Bushfire-Support Free counselling and additional mental health support for individuals, families and emergency services workers affected by the bushfires. www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/how-get-mental-health-support Mental health support for bushfire affected communities...
Offers of assistance from Recovery Partners
For more information on offers of assistance click on the links below to download a pdf flyer