The NSW Government is continuing to support communities affected by recent bushfires, announcing today that recovery hubs will be established and hardship payments made available for individuals and families whose homes were destroyed or damaged or who are facing severe hardship due to the recent fires.

Recovery Hubs will be open in Woy Woy and Buledelah this Friday, 12 December, with the NSW Reconstruction Authority, Vinnies, Salvation Army, Legal Aid, Red Cross and GIVIT, on hand to provide personal support to impacted communities.

The state government is partnering with local charities to deliver personal hardship payments of $900 to households where their home has been destroyed or severely damaged, and up to $180 for households experiencing hardship as a result of the bushfires.

Recovery support is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the NSW Government under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Natural disaster declarations have been announced for seven Local Government Areas - Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle, Dubbo and Lake Macquarie, with emergency services and local councils working alongside the NSW Reconstruction Authority to confirm the extent of damage and ensure residents can access help as quickly as possible.

Residents, businesses, primary producers and councils in the declared LGAs are now able to access a range of support, including:

• Emergency accommodation and essential support for people whose homes have been damaged
• Clean up assistance for eligible property owners
• Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace essential household items and undertake structural repairs needed to make homes safe and habitable
• Freight subsidies to move livestock and fodder, and small business and primary producer low-interest loans
• Assistance for councils and emergency services for counter-disaster operations and essential public asset repairs

Information, including how to apply for payments and support for impacted communities, can be found by visiting a Recovery Hub or at nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates.  

The NSW Government is continuing to deploy personnel and resources into impacted communities as the full extent of damage and support needs becomes clearer. 

Community members wishing to support impacted residents can donate through GIVIT, which is coordinating goods, services and financial donations on behalf of the NSW Government to ensure help reaches communities in need. Visit givit.org.au for more information. 

Central Coast Recovery Hub

Location: Peninsula Community Centre, 98 McMasters Rd, Woy Woy

Open: 1pm to 5pm - Friday 12 December

Support services: NSW Reconstruction Authority, Central Coast Council, Service NSW, Vinnies, Legal Aid NSW

Bulahdelah Recovery Assistance Point

Location: Bulahdelah School of Arts, 76 Crawford Street, Bulahdelah

Open: 1pm to 5pm - Friday 12 December

To keep up to date on recovery support, visit nsw.gov.au/firerecoveryupdates.

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said, “These communities have faced fast-moving and destructive fires, and our focus right now is making sure people have somewhere safe to stay and can access the essential support they need.

“Teams are on the ground working with combat agencies and councils to confirm damage to homes, businesses and public assets, and support is already being delivered across all seven LGAs.”