Council wishes you a safe and Merry Christmas!

Cessnock City Council would like to wish all of its residents a safe and Merry Christmas. Council’s also asking residents to ensure over the busy holiday season they are staying up to date with the current bush fire situation.  

The best way for residents to stay safe is by following advice from the Rural Fire Service. This advice is provided in a variety of ways including on the Fires Near Me App. Residents can also tune into their local ABC radio station. If you’re staying local for Christmas that’s ABC Newcastle 1233.  

Cessnock City Mayor, Councillor Bob Pynsent said unfortunately over this Christmas period we really need to be mindful of the threat of fires in the Cessnock Local Government Area (LGA).  

“Despite that the fires in our LGA have been downgraded, this could change very quickly.  The dry, hot conditions are expected to continue making the fire danger ever present. I’d also encourage residents who haven’t yet to ensure their property has been properly prepared by removing any material that could be subject to an ember attack.”  

“We also want to encourage everyone to check on their elderly family, friends and neighbours on hot days. As a community we all need to look out for one another.”  

The Australian Government and NSW Government have also announced grants of $15,000 are now available for bushfire-hit farmers and small businesses in a number of areas including Cessnock and Singleton LGA’S. This funding announcement comes in addition to $48.25 million already committed by the State and Federal Government to bushfire disaster recovery.   The recovery grants are being jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW governments through the DRFA. For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444. To apply for recovery grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.

 12/23/2019