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.
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.
Community Links has been appointed as the recovery support service for the Wingecarribee area. They will link you to your own personalised recovery support worker, who can help you navigate and access services and disaster assistance packages.
Call 4683 2776 or email intake@communitylinks.org.au to be put in touch with a Recovery Support Officer who can:
- Provide relevant information about the range of assistance and services available
- Help you work out what needs to be done and develop an action plan
- Connect you with the services required and assist in coordinating these
- Assist with referral and application processes for services needed
- Facilitate meetings between you and relevant agencies
- Assist with practicalities, such as dealing with insurance companies or replacing key documents.
Learn more in the fact sheet.
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.
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.
Community Links has been appointed as the recovery support service for the Wingecarribee area. They will link you to your own personalised recovery support worker, who can help you navigate and access services and disaster assistance packages.
Call 4683 2776 or email intake@communitylinks.org.au to be put in touch with a Recovery Support Officer who can:
- Provide relevant information about the range of assistance and services available
- Help you work out what needs to be done and develop an action plan
- Connect you with the services required and assist in coordinating these
- Assist with referral and application processes for services needed
- Facilitate meetings between you and relevant agencies
- Assist with practicalities, such as dealing with insurance companies or replacing key documents.
Learn more in the fact sheet.
Updated 23 February 2021
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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.
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Stories Toward Regeneration
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe Stories Toward Regeneration project is a series of wellbeing and creative workshops that will utilise the experiences of participants to tell a story. The creative works can take on any common medium such as poetry, painting, spoken word – you will be guided to choose. Observers who do not wish to create are also welcome. At the completion of this project, the finished works will sit on a dedicated interactive website.
To book a place and find out more information about this workshop please follow this link or call 0408 617 143.
https://www.yoursaywingecarribee.com.au/52173/widgets/278917/documents/197270
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Stories To Heal Us
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link"Stories to Heal Us” is an intentionally designed therapeutic art workshop created in response to the needs of the people within the Wingecarribee LGA in the wake of the devastating Green Wattle Creek and Morton Bushfires, followed shortly by the whirlwind of COVID-19 restrictions.
Come together in a creative space to tell your unique story and heal from the impact of the 2020 bushfires. You will be guided to explore your story through written word, art or spoken word.
All materials will be provided, along with refreshments to nourish us!
No prior experience is needed to participate in the workshops and we welcome all community members, as well as families to come together, as we know there is a story in all of you worth sharing.
To book a place at this workshop please contact Wildflower Holisitic Services on 02 4684 1080 or info@wildflowerholisticservices.com .
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Opportunity to have bushfire-generated green waste cleaned up and processed
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkProperties identified by Council as being potentially eligible to qualify for the EPA’s Bushfire-Generated Green Waste Clean-Up and Processing Program are being contacted by mail and email. This initiative expects to manage tonnes of waste generated by the bushfires, including green waste that would otherwise present significant environmental, safety and bushfire risk including remaining bushfire affected hazardous trees.
To be considered for the green waste program you must meet guidelines, and return the Consent to Enter form. You can fill in the PDF form or print, sign and photograph to email it back to bushfiregrant@wsc.nsw.gov.au
The program requires:
- consent to allow our contract arborists to rapidly assess a property for eligibility between 15 February and 19 March 2021, and
- a report back to the EPA by Council to seek funding for the greenwaste to be removed from the property.
Unfortunately Council is working to a short time frame provided by the EPA to do the inspections and report back, so we appreciate your prompt response on this matter. Click here to read the letter and form.
To register your interest please quickly complete and return the form by 12 March 2021 via email to bushfiregrant@wsc.nsw.gov.au. If you have any questions please call 02 4868 0888 or send an email to bushfiregrant@wsc.nsw.gov.au.
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Small Grants - Bushfire Recovery and Resilience
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkRound two of the Bushfire Recovery and Resilience (BCRR) Small Grants Program is now open for applications and will close at midnight Wednesday 17 March 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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More images sought for photo book
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkThe PhotoVoice exhibition is being commemorated in a high quality arts publication.
In October 2020 a photographic competition was conducted which resulted in an exhibition called PhotoVoice. The community shared emotive imagery embodying resilience during that horrific time, and renewal in the period since.
Eighty photographs were exhibited in Wingello and Balmoral, revealing the heartbreak and hope of our communities in the path of the flames, starting down the road to recovery.
The PhotoVoice exhibition is now being designed into a high quality book which will bring these powerful images to life in a more traditional way.
As PhotoVoice was put together very quickly back in October, we are now offering another opportunity for people to submit photographs that they feel meet the criteria to be considered for inclusion in the book.
Find out more and send your photographs in via the ARTSfile website at artsfile.com.au/editorial/photovoice by Sunday 14 February 2021.
A similar style book was produced previously - see https://issuu.com/wscmedia/docs/thank_you
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Photo competition and exhibition
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: The Photo Voice competition and exhibit has concluded. Stay tuned for updates on the Photo Voice Book.Wingecarribee Shire Council's Bush Fire Social Recovery Committee and the Southern Highlands Foundation (FireAid) are inviting photographers from across the Shire to join them as they prepare a special photo exhibition documenting last season’s ‘Black Summer’ bushfires.
In the weeks that followed the Green Wattle Creek and Morton bush fires we heard devastating tales of loss and grief. But we also learnt of remarkable stories of heroism, resilience and mateship. The idea behind this photo exhibition is to document and continue to capture a lasting record of those moments that represent the spirit and recovery of our community.
This may include images of firefighters on the fire-front, recovery of the environment or the journey of renewal.
Entitled ‘Photo Voice: Renewal and Resilience’, the exhibition is open to both professional and amateur photographers who were directly involved or affected by the 2019/20 bush fires.
Selected images and text will be featured on the ARTSfile website, exhibited at the Community Halls in Wingello (8 November) and Balmoral (15 November), and published in a book which will be available for purchase later in the year.
Entries open 9 October 2020 and close 26 October 2020
Please fill out the Entry Form at https://artsfile.com.au/editorial/photovoice, read and agree to the Terms & Conditions, upload your images following the guidelines provided and click SUBMIT.
For more information:
P 02 4868 0888
E cath.brennan@wsc.nsw.gov.au -
Community Workshops
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this linkCLOSED: These Workshops have now concluded.What does your community need to recover and build resilience?
Council in partnership with Resilience NSW are hosting free facilitated community workshops to talk about bushfire recovery, what is needed now and into the future.
This is an opportunity to engage with your community and have a say in planning to support recovery and resilience.
Morning tea and a light lunch will be provided. COVID safety measures will apply and registration is a requirement.
For those unable to participate in person, an online option will be available via Zoom. Please indicate your participation choice when you register.
Workshop one: North and West Villages- Date: Saturday 10 October 2020, 10 am to 1 pm
- Location: Mittagong RSL
- RSVP: Wednesday 7 October
Workshop two: Southern Villages
- Date: Saturday 17 October 2020, 10 am to 1 pm
- Location: Moss Vale Services Club
- RSVP: Wednesday 14 October
For more information contact our Community Recovery Officer, on phone 4868 0888 during business hours, Monday to Friday.
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
Helpful Documents
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)