9 January 2020 Community Meeting

Local residents impacted by the recent fires attended the community recovery meeting on Thursday 9 January led by Lithgow City Council and NSW Office of Emergency Management.

Impacted residents were able to gain support and advice on a range of matters, including financial support, health and wellbeing, property clean-up and legal support.

“The recent fires have had a tragic impact on the local community and now is the time for everyone to come together,” Mayor Ray Thompson said.

“Thursday’s community meeting meant impacted residents could talk to others from the community, seek advice and support from various agencies and access the most up-to-date information on the recovery effort.”

Questions and concerns were raised about clean-up, the RFS and air-based fire fighting, animal welfare, rebuilding and development applications, bushfire ratings for new builds and who will be helping clean up dangerous trees on properties.

160 community members attended the meeting.

19 agencies attended the meeting including: • Legal Aid • Lithgow Lions Club • NSW Office of Emergency Management • Anglicare • Insurance Council of Australia • NSW Police (Lithgow) • Local Land Services • Salvation Army • Family and Community Services • St Vincent de Paul • Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) • Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network • Red Cross • Disaster recovery chaplain • Councillors and senior Council staff.

Individuals who have been impacted by the fires but were unable to attend the community meeting, can call the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444, Monday – Friday 8.30am- 4.30pm.

Further recovery information and updates are available at www.emergency.nsw.gov.au.