Bushfire Assistance
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 hosts important event for bushfire-impacted residents
Local residents, including Emergency Service volunteers and people impacted by last year's bushfires - came over the weekend for the special event hosted by Lithgow City Council. The Bushfire Recovery & Community Day was a free, Covid-safe event organised to help residents connect with recovery services, plan and prepare for the future and thank RFS and emergency service volunteers following last summer's horror bushfire season - which started in late October and burned into early...
Local heroes celebrated in Main Street banner campaign
Lithgow City Council’s Local Heroes campaign celebrates the region’s community spirit with a vibrant display of 28 banners lining Main Street between Lithgow and Bridge Streets. The Local Heroes campaign is a celebration of our community’s resilience and an opportunity to say thank you to the many organisations, services and individuals that have gone above and beyond to support the community through the challenges of bushfires and a pandemic. “There are countless individuals and groups...
Free Public Event to Assist with Bushfire Recovery and Support
It’s been almost 11 months since devastating bushfires tore through Lithgow, Clarence and Dargan, leaving many properties impacted and people in need of support. To assist with the ongoing recovery efforts, Lithgow City Council is hosting a Bushfire Recovery and Community Day on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December at the Civic Ballroom, Lithgow. This free public event will bring together community, emergency and recovery services all under one roof - making it easy for everyone to...
Bushfire recovery event to strengthen and support community
Residents from Lithgow, Blue Mountains and surrounds are being urged to attend the upcoming Bushfire Recovery and Community Day held on Saturday, 5th and Sunday, 6th December at the Civic Ballroom, Lithgow. This free public event will bring together community, emergency and recovery services all under one roof to support, prepare and empower bushfire affected communities. Mayor of Lithgow City Council Ray Thompson strongly encouraged residents to attend the event to receive vital information...
Community Recovery Grants Online Information Session
Lithgow Council will be hosting an online Community Recovery Grants Information Session. Learn about the variety of grants currently available and find the stream that may fund your projects to improve community connection in collaboration with others. Activities could include grass roots activities like local get-togethers, short term activities that improve resilience and connection or medium to large scale community projects. Grants range from $1000 up to $300,000 and applications are open...
Update from the Community Recovery Officer
A big newsletter for October and an even bigger thank you to everyone who has completed Council's Outreach Survey. We've seen a strong number of responses and feedback from across the LGA, which has assisted Council in being able to follow up on available supports, identify principal themes and issues and collect important information for recovery operations. If you would like to complete the survey there is still time, please email Recovery@Lithgow.nsw.gov.au or call 6354 9960. Since starting...
Lithgow Bushfire Recovery Service Drop-In Centre to recommence in July
Council is pleased to announce that we will be recommencing the Bushfire Mobile Recovery Service Drop-In Centre at the Lithgow Library on Thursday 2 July at 3pm. Residents of the Lithgow Local Government Area who have been impacted by the 2019 bushfires are encouraged to visit the Lithgow Bushfire Recovery Service at the Library. You will be able to obtain the latest information, enquire about assistance and ask questions about bushfire recovery. This “one-stop-shop” service will...
Land values for bushfire affected communities
To support communities affected by the recent summer bushfires, Lithgow City Council has accepted an offer from the Valuer-General to receive a new valuation list for 1 July 2020 land values. Since 1 July 2019 land values were determined, many communities have been devastated by the summer bushfires. The 1 July 2019 land values recently issued to councils were determined before the recent bushfires occurred. This means that the values do not reflect any impact of the fires. Many residents have...
Council Bushfire Recovery Assistance
At the 13 January 2020 Extraordinary Meeting, Council resolved to implement a number of bushfire recovery assistance measures. Council is now offering the following assistance measures for bushfire affected residents: Relief from domestic waste charges for properties where dwellings were fire damaged. A rebate for water usage charges during the bush fire crisis (upon application). The waiver of fees for Development Applications and associated charges for replacement dwellings if such costs are...
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
Bushfire Cleanup Progress Update
The NSW Government and the Commonwealth are covering the full cost of cleaning up eligible NSW properties that have been destroyed by bushfires since 1 July 2019. Both insured and uninsured properties used for residential, small business or primary production purposes are eligible for the clean-up program. Public Works Advisory (PWA) has appointed Laing O’Rourke Australia to lead the clean-up. Where possible qualified local contractors and local suppliers have been engaged...
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