Council announces $2M budget for bushfire response

Council announces $2M budget for bushfire response

Published on 16 January 2020

Blacktown City Council has taken further initiatives in its continuing response to the devastating bushfires that have ravaged much of New South Wales.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said a special meeting of Council on Wednesday endorsed a budget and plan of action aimed at maximising Blacktown’s contribution to the bushfire relief and response effort.

“Councillors endorsed an initial budget of up to $2 million to be allocated over the next 12 months to Council’s bushfire relief and recovery efforts,” Mayor Bleasdale said. 

“Council recently announced the cancellation of fireworks displays on Australia Day and Lunar New Year resulting in savings of $15,000.  Councillors voted unanimously to donate that money to the Blacktown City Bushfire Appeal.

“The Australia Day Celebrations at The Rooty Hill and the Lunar New Year festivities at Nurrangingy Reserve will be cash donation points for the Blacktown City Council Bushfire Appeal.”  

When Cr Bleasdale became Mayor he elected to forego use of a mayoral car resulting in savings of $15,000 per year. Councillors unanimously voted to donate these funds to the Blacktown city Bushfire Appeal.

“Council has drawn up a list of staff, vehicles, plant and equipment that is available and can be sent to bushfire-affected councils to assist in relief and response efforts,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“Blacktown City Council already has staff working in the Local Government Bushfire Recovery Support Group and Shoalhaven Council in Nowra assisting in the recovery effort.

“Council will be sending planning staff to assist Lithgow Council with DA processing for rebuilding and has offers on the table to assist Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury councils.

“Blacktown is taking a leading role in the Metropolitan Mayors’ bushfire response group and will host its second meeting on 28 January.

“The Blacktown City Council Bushfire Appeal continues to receive donations of money, packaged non-perishable foodstuffs and items of personal hygiene to be distributed to victims of the bushfires,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“Council staff delivered two truckloads of non-perishable foodstuffs to Foodbank at Glendenning that had been collected from Blacktown libraries.

“Council’s Bushfire Appeal recently received a $5,000 donation from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association and a truckload of foodstuff donations from the Church of Christ, Minchinbury.

“Council has reaffirmed its commitment to do whatever it can to assist the councils and communities that have been so devastated by the unprecedented bushfires,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Blacktown City Council bushfire response includes:

Up to $2 million over the next 12 months to assist in bushfire relief and recovery efforts. Blacktown City Bushfire Appeal, accepting cash, non-perishable foodstuffs and items of personal hygiene for distribution to bushfire affected communities. $15,000 donated to the Bushfire Appeal from savings from the cancellation of fireworks displays. $15,000 donated to the Bushfire Appeal from savings from foregoing the mayoral car. Establishing Australia Day and Lunar New Year celebrations as donation points for the bushfire appeal. Seconding staff to Shoalhaven Council and to the Local Government Bushfire Recovery Support Group. Direct offers of assistance to Hawkesbury, Lithgow and Blue Mountains councils. Offers of staff, plant, equipment and vehicles to affected councils through the Local Government Bushfire recovery Support Group. Blacktown City Council will host the 2nd Metropolitan Mayors’ bushfire recovery meeting 28 January.

How you can help

Online cash donations to the Blacktown City Council Bushfire Appeal

Account name: Blacktown City Council Bushfire Appeal BSB: 032 071 A/c number: 638868

Over the counter cash donations to The Blacktown City Council Bushfire Appeal

 Blacktown City Council Administration Centre, Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown.

Collection points for non-perishable food and personal hygiene items

Max Webber Library, 61 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown Our Library @ The Mount Druitt Hub, Ayres Grove, Mount Druitt Dennis Johnson Library, Cnr Stanhope Parkway & Sentry Drive, Stanhope Gardens Riverstone Library, 1st Floor, Riverstone Village, cnr Market Street & Riverstone Parade, Riverstone Lalor Park Library, Cnr Freeman Street and Northcott Rd, Lalor Park Blacktown City Council Administration Centre, 62 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown.