Bushfire recovery update

Exploring support on offer

The Eurobodalla Recovery Centre at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club is open every day to support people impacted by the fires. More than 1800 households have registered to date, with 90 to 100 visitors each day. And we’re pleased to report around half of those are returning visitors, taking the opportunity to explore the support on offer.

Professional staff who understand the emergency are on hand to help, providing a one-stop shop for recovery information and services.

No appointment is necessary. If you need transport to get to the centre, please call Council’s Community Transport on 4474 1040.

Customers impacted by bushfires can also contact Service NSW directly.

Call 13 77 88Visit the Service NSW websiteVisit Service NSW staff at the Eurobodalla Recovery Centre, Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, 6 Beach Road, Batemans Bay. Clean up costs covered

Eurobodalla has around 500,000 tonnes of demolition material to be collected from fire affected properties. Nearly 80 percent of Eurobodalla’s land area has been hit by fire.

The NSW Government will cover the clean-up cost of residences and businesses impacted by bushfires and has appointed Laing O’Rourke to oversee the process. Insured and uninsured properties are eligible.

Where possible, local contractors will be engaged to assist the clean-up, and Council has written to businesses in our region to make them aware of this opportunity.

Assistance with Council rates

The NSW Government is providing six months rates assistance for those who have lost their home in bushfire. Contact Service NSW to arrange a waiver or a refund if you have already paid:

Call 13 77 88Visit the Service NSW websiteVisit Service NSW staff at the Eurobodalla Recovery Centre, Batemans Bay Soldiers Club, 6 Beach Road, Batemans Bay. ADF salutes Eurobodalla

Australian Defence Force personnel packed up the distribution point at Mackay Park in Batemans Bay on Monday morning. Arriving in the Eurobodalla on 3 January 2020 as part of Operation Bushfire Assist 2019-20, a small team of ADF personnel were quickly tasked by Eurobodalla’s Emergency Operations Centre to establish a distribution point for the truckloads of donated goods coming into the shire.

One month on, and the vast majority of goods have been given to those in need. Captain Deb Shadlow offered a heartfelt thank you to the community for their very warm welcome to Batemans Bay.

Bushfire recovery for business

The NSW Business Connect Bus is in the shire this week, offering assistance to businesses directly or indirectly affected by bushfires.

Friday 7 February, 9.30am to 12.30pm – MoruyaFriday 7 February, 1.30 to 4pm – Mogo.

Council’s business support team is encouraging Eurobodalla businesses to complete the NSW Small Business Commissioner’s survey about bushfire impacts on small business. This information will help determine the level of government recovery support provided, so be sure to have your say:

Business Connect advisors are now available at Eurobodalla’s Recovery Centre, located at the Soldiers Club, 6 Beach Road, Batemans Bay, 9am to 5pm weekdays and 10am to 4pm weekends. You can also find advice online with NSW Government’s bushfire customer care for businesses.

Assistance for those without power

Residents in Eurobodalla’s remote areas who’ve had a prolonged power outage as a result of bushfire may be eligible for the loan of a generator and a fuel card. Contact Essential Energy on 132080 for more information.

Water

Level 4 water restrictions are in effect across Eurobodalla, with the water storage at Deep Creek Dam now below 50 percent capacity.

Under level 4 water restrictions all outdoor use is banned, except:

watering gardens with watering cans or buckets filled directly from the tapwashing and rinsing private vehicles on grass with buckets filled directly from the tap, between 6-8am and 6-8pm.

Level 4 water restrictions ensure we have enough potable water until we get significant rainfall. Our community needs to pull together and save water now so we don’t have to proceed to much stricter level 5 restrictions in the future. Don’t waste valuable water washing down houses and decks – there will be ash from the fires for some time. That water is needed for drinking, bathing and protecting lives and properties.

Variations apply for specific businesses. Emergency services continue to be exempt from all restrictions.

Find out what you can and cannot do at: