Bushfire Recovery Wingecarribee

Green Wattle Creek, Currowan and Morton Fires impacted the Wingecarribee Shire in late December 2019 and early 2020. This page aims to support our community through the recovery phase associated with these bushfires.
If you have been affected, there is a range of assistance for you. Council is working in partnership with emergency services, State and Federal government agencies, charities and others to deliver this assistance.
For detailed information about the assistance available please use the SEARCH TOOL at the top of the page, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and links on this webpage or call Council's Bushfire Recovery Hotline 1800 316 500 or email communityrecovery@wsc.nsw.gov.au.
Updated 23 February 2021
Green Wattle Creek, Currowan and Morton Fires impacted the Wingecarribee Shire in late December 2019 and early 2020. This page aims to support our community through the recovery phase associated with these bushfires.
If you have been affected, there is a range of assistance for you. Council is working in partnership with emergency services, State and Federal government agencies, charities and others to deliver this assistance.
For detailed information about the assistance available please use the SEARCH TOOL at the top of the page, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions and links on this webpage or call Council's Bushfire Recovery Hotline 1800 316 500 or email communityrecovery@wsc.nsw.gov.au.
Updated 23 February 2021
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Wingecarribee Bushfire Review - Community Information Session
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe Wingecarribee Bushfire Review 2021 consisted of 44 recommendations. Council is committed to deliver on each recommendation. You are invited to join Council’s executive team and staff to discuss what Council has achieved and the direction Council is taking in preparing for future disasters in our Shire
A Community Information Session will be held at our Moss Vale Civic Centre on Thursday 31 March 2022 6:00pm.
if you are interested in meeting with us please register your details here.This session is for those who'd like to know more about the progress of the recommendations, have any questions, or would like to say hi and meet the team.
If you would like to access the Wingecarribee Bushfire review please click here. Please note, due to the rapidly changing COVID situation, we may have to reassess the format of the event depending on NSW Health advice. Our aim is to keep both staff and the community safe. If there are any changes, we will contact you.
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Calling all young budding artists! Could you be the creator of our very first resilience character for the Wingecarribee?
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkDo you love drawing or creating characters? Would you love to see your creation come to life and be featured in future communications across the shire? Then this competition is for you!
Following the recovery from the 2019/20 Bushfires, Council will be working to promote upcoming resilience programs and projects for all communities across the shire and are looking to create a ‘character’ that will be easily recognisable and become well known through Council promotions and publicity.
Council is looking for a young person (18 years of age or under) to create a character that best represents resilience in your community, this could be a person or animal, it could be our very own Wingecarribee superhero, just let your imagination go wild!
1st Prize - Drawing classes with local business 'Art Newbs' valued at $250 with local business 'Art Newbs' valued at $250 plus you will have bragging rights with your character to be featured in recovery & resilience communications across the Wingecarribee.
The runner up will receive a $100 'Arthead' gift Voucher.
What you need to do: Simply take a photo of your creation, don't forget to give your character a name and send it through to communityrecovery@wsc.nsw.gov.au and ensure you have read and understood our Terms and Conditions HERE.
Competition closes Friday 28 January at 4pm.
THANKS FOR ENTERING AND GOOD LUCK!
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Community screening of 'A Fire Inside' at Empire Cinema
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCouncil has organised a free community screening of ‘A Fire Inside’ on Wednesday 3 November at 6.30pm At Empire Cinema, Bowral. Tickets only available through Council.
The film presents an inspirational look at the way people respond to a crisis and its true cost to the human spirit. Directors Justin Krook and Luke Mazzaferro interview volunteers, farmers, publicans and pensioners, uncovering stories of devastating heartbreak but also of astonishing resilience. The Southern Highlands and the selfless actions of our community are featured in this moving film.
Council understands that this film has the potential to re-surface some trauma for our community. Our community need to make their own individual decision when considering viewing this film as the Wingecarribee and our residents are heavily featured. By holding this event we are insuring that community’s decision is an informed one.
Before reserving your tickets, Council encourages you to head on over to 'To watch or not to watch' a great Red Cross resource to use to identify whether or not now is the time to view this film.
To reserve tickets please visit Councils events page.
As per NSW Health Guidelines, patrons will have to show proof of vaccination (or certified medical exemption), masks must be worn inside the Cinema at all times, as well as restricted seating. Empire Cinema are following all NSW Health guidelines, and staff are following all COVID Cleaning Practices to ensure your safety.
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Feedback sought for Council's Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant proposal
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe Black Summer Bushfire Recovery (BSBR) Grants Program is currently open to local Councils, businesses and community groups impacted by the 2019/20 bushfires. Wingecarribee Shire Council is requesting feedback from community on potential Council projects under the (BSBR) grant by completing the quick 5min survey below.
The BSBR grant is a program under the National Recovery and Resilience Agency aimed to support community recovery or resilience. The funding envelope allocated to the Wingecarribee is $1.6 million. Projects must address one or more of the following recovery or resilience needs:
- social recovery and resilience
- economic recovery and resilience
- recovery and resilience of the built environment
Together with key stakeholders, Council has identified 12 projects that address recovery and resilience for our community.
Council would like to also provide support to those community groups in our shire who are also applying.
For more information on the BSBR grants and guidelines head to the National Recovery and Resilience Agencies website
Online survey to be completed here by 4pm Wednesday 18 August 2021
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Feedback sought for bushfire response review
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkAt the Council meeting held on 12 May 2021, Mr Viv May requested a review of Council’s response to the 2019/20 Black Summer Bushfires.
The review will examine Wingecarribee Shire Council’s response to the immediate emergency as well as the short and long-term bushfire recovery support offered.
Feedback is sought from anyone impacted by the bushfires, whether in a personal, work, voluntary or community capacity.
We’re offering a number of opportunities to provide feedback and share your experience:
Community listening online events: - Wednesday 7 July 2021 – 6pm - Southern Villages, via Zoom. Register here: https://communitylisteningevent-southernvillages.eventbrite.com.au
- Thursday 8 July 2021 – 6pm - Northern Villages, via Zoom. Register Here: https://communitylisteningevent-northernvillages.eventbrite.com.au
Online feedback form / survey to be completed here by (
7pm Friday 9 July)9am Monday 12 July 2021 (extended).The review will specifically focus on Council’s:
- response to the immediate bushfire emergency, including coordination of Local Emergency Management Committee
- provision of immediate support and information for bushfire impacted residents, including Council’s Mayoral Relief Fund
- management of short-term recovery needs, including set up, participation in and effectiveness of local and regional recovery committees
- development of recovery plans and implementation of actions
- approach to seeking and utilising bushfire response and recovery funding offered by Federal and State Government
Note: The review is being undertaken to examine Wingecarribee Shire Council’s response to and recovery from the bushfires. It is not to examine emergency service responses or the State Government’s recovery arrangements.
Recovery takes time and is different for everyone. We are all affected by disasters in our own personal way. Having someone to listen to and support you through this is very important. Check in on your friends and neighbours, and if you or someone you know needs help, reach out.
The following are free services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
• Mental Health Line – 1800 011 511
• Lifeline Bushfire Recovery - 13 43 57
• Mensline - 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800
• Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636
• ReFrame/You in Mind – 0455 104 104
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000.
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2021 Community Recovery Concert
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkOn Saturday 10 April 2021 Council hosted a Community Recovery Concert for our bushfire affected community.
The event featured performances by Justice Crew, Mahalia Barnes and her band the Soul Mates, Jess and Matt from the X Factor and local performers Michelle Cashman and Bald and the Beautiful.In addition to the onstage music the afternoon featured roaming entertainers, jumping castles and food vans.
Wingecarribee Shire’s Community Recovery Concert was proudly funded by the NSW Government in association with Council.
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Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Small Grants Program
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkRound 3 of the Bushfire Recovery and Resilience (BCRR) Small Grants Program will open for applications on Monday 3 May at 9am and will close at 4pm on Monday 24 May 2021.
The program will provide financial support for small scale community-led recovery and resilience projects and events. Not for profit community organisations and associations based in the Wingecarribee Local Government Area can apply for one-off grants of $2,000 - $10,000. The program has a total value of $85,000.
The aim of the BCRR Small Grants Program is to support bushfire impacted communities:
- in the process of social recovery, with a focus on health and wellbeing
- provide opportunity for community connection
- strengthen community resilience.
Applications will be via the SmartyGrants portal.
The Grant Guidelines and application can be accessed here
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Beating The Bushfires
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkPrevention and Detection of Suicide and Mental Illness for Frontline Workers and Community Members
Dokotela Psychiatry, in collaboration with Community Links Wellbeing and SWS Primary Health Network, will be hosting a FREE Webinar for frontline workers and the community from areas affected by the 2019-2020 bushfires.
The webinar will cover the following topics:
The impacts of traumatic stress
- Resources to help yourself, family and friends suffering after a traumatic event
- How to identify people at risk of suicide or suffering emotional disturbance
- How to encourage your family member, friend or colleague to seek help
- What you should do if someone expresses suicidal intent
WEBINAR: Community Members
WHEN: Tuesday 4th May 2021 at 6pm
WEBINAR: Frontline Workers
When: Tuesday 18th May 2021 at 6pm
Register here
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out on swsphn@dokotela.com.au or contact Emma on 0412 757 258. -
Community Recovery Concert
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkSaturday, 10 April 2021 | 03:30 PM to 08:30 PM
We will be holding a FREE Community Recovery Concert to bring joy and community re-connection, in acknowledgement of the long recovery process on the back of the bush fires of 2019/20.
The concert will feature:
- Mahalia Barnes
- X Factor Finalists ‘Matt & Jess’
- Justice Crew
- Michelle Cashman
There will be free face painting, balloon twisting and jumping castles, with local food vans providing food available for purchase.
A free shuttle has been organised to and from the event for residents of the Northern and Southern Villages - if you would like to reserve your seat on the bus please email communityrecovery@wsc.nsw.gov.au or call 02 4868 0888.
Gates open at 3.30pm with the concert to finish around 8.30pm.
Book your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/community-recovery-concert-tickets-147213061229
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Community Recovery Workshops Response
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkIn October 2020, Council delivered Bushfire Recovery Community Workshops in partnership with Resilience NSW. The workshops were an opportunity for conversation about what is needed now to support recovery and to help build community resilience.
Click here to view a summary of the key themes coming out of the workshops, what we heard from communities about recovery needs and how Council has been responding.
Bushfire Recovery Information
This page has been set up to host information about Council support as well as provide links to other agencies and organisations.
To find information:
- Use the search tool at the top of the page.
- Browse through the News items and Media Releases or click on the Helpful Links.
- Use the Ask a Question tool or check out our FAQs.
- Call our Bushfire Recovery Hotline 1800 316 500 or email mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au.
Emailed Bushfire Recovery Newsletter
Click here to subscribe and receive emailed updates to your inbox.
View past editions here.
Follow Project
Media Releases
Videos
Recovery Meetings - Online
A series of online Community Recovery Meetings were held while tight Covid restrictions continued.
Click here to view recordings of these meetings:
Thursday 13 August 2020 - Conducted online, the theme of this session was Let's Grow Together and featured Council's environment team speaking about a variety of topics to help rejuvenate fire grounds including weed management, vegetation regrowth and Land for Wildlife programs.
Thursday 30 July 2020 - Conducted online, this session had a theme of Health and Wellbeing and featured Petrea King from Quest for Life, Alice Richards from You in Mind, Jade Weidner (Mental Health Program Advisor) and Daneeka Bertolissio (Bushfire Recovery Mental Health Clinician) from South Western Sydney Local Health District as well as Tanya Smith from Community Links (Recovery Support Service).
Thursday 16 July 2020 - Conducted online, this meeting had a theme of Building Back Better and featured speakers from Country Division, NSW chapter of the Australian institute of Architects, Building Angels, Renew (sustainable living) and WSC Environment Team - Land conservation.
Thursday 2 July 2020 - Conducted online, this meeting featured speakers from Council (Rebuilding process - DAs, fees and charges, BAL and design), NSW Rural Fire Service (involvement in DA process), NSW Department of Primary Industries (Recovery Support Service), Anglicare Financial Counselling Services and Insurance Law Service.
Thursday 18 June 2020 - this session featured speakers from Council, Laing O'Rourke, Red Cross, Community Links and Shane Fitzsimmons, former NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner and now Commissioner of Resilience NSW.
Document Library
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Newsletters
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Bushfire Recovery Northern Villages - Issue 2.pdf (591 KB) (pdf)
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Bushfire Recovery Southern Villages - Issue 2.pdf (583 KB) (pdf)
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9th April 2020 - Bushfire Recovery Newsletter - Southern Villages (416 KB) (pdf)
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25 March 2020 - Bushfire Recovery Newsletter - northern villages (573 KB) (pdf)
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OEM Regional Recovery Newsletters - click to see latest edition
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Financial Assistance
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Stories towards regeneration_Flyer.pdf (6.58 MB) (pdf)
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Community Recovery Workshops Response Document (685 KB) (pdf)