Residents
on the NSW North Coast and elsewhere in the state should ring
ServicesNSW
on 13 77 88
to take advantage of the post-bushfire cleanup offer set
out in the media release below.
I
strongly
suggest that those eligible for this cleanup of residential or
business premises register immediately, as the Morrison Government
has recently demonstrated that it will repurpose bushfire recovery
funding at the drop of a hat and this program might just end prematurely with little notice to bushfire victims if federal funding is reduced or terminated.
The
Morrison and Berejiklian Governments today announced they will share
the costs on a 50:50 basis for the clean-up of residential and
commercial properties destroyed by the recent bushfires in NSW.
This
follows the successful approach adopted by the Commonwealth and
Victorian Governments following the Black Saturday bushfires.
The
cost of the NSW clean-up is expected to run into the hundreds of
millions of dollars, though a definitive number cannot be settled
until the fires have ceased and sites are assessed.
As
part of recovery efforts the NSW Government has also selected Laing
O’Rourke Australia as the lead contractor to undertake the
clean-up.
Prime
Minister Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Commonwealth
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister
responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro, Commonwealth
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David
Littleproud and NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding
agreement would give people more certainty as the recovery process
continues.
“This
is an important step to get the clean-up and rebuilding process
moving to help people get back on their feet,” the Prime Minister
said.
“We
know many people are still battling these blazes but where the
fire-front has passed we’re deploying $2 billion through our
National Bushfire Recovery Agency to help people rebuild their homes
and communities.”
“The
destruction caused by these fires is unprecedented and the process of
recovery and rebuilding will take time, but I want people to know, we
will be with them every step of the way,” the Premier said.
“Government
is picking up the bill for the clean-up, at no cost to owners, so if
you’re uninsured, this is one less thing to worry about and if you
are insured, it means you will be able to use every dollar of your
policy to rebuild.”
Treasurer
Frydenberg said the speed at which agreement was reached between the
Commonwealth and the NSW government was not only a testament to the
working relationship between the two levels of government but that of
the National Bushfire Recovery Agency.
“An
unprecedented joint effort has and is required to assist with the
recovery, rebuilding and future resilience of local communities,”
Treasurer Frydenberg said.
“The
National Bushfire Recovery Agency has played a key role across the
board ensuring the Commonwealth’s resources are reaching the
communities when and where they are needed.”
The
Deputy Premier said the clean-up was a mammoth task but that he was
confident the partnership with Laing O’Rourke will see properties
cleared and the rebuild begin as soon as possible.
“With
2,399 homes destroyed and more than 10,000 buildings damaged or
destroyed all up, we have a long journey ahead of us,” the Deputy
Premier said.
“Despite
the enormity of the job, Laing O’Rourke has indicated the majority
of properties will be substantially cleared by mid-year, with a focus
on residential properties.
“The
contractor will also be working hand in hand with Public Works
Advisory to engage local suppliers and subcontractors, to keep local
economies ticking over.
“Our
emergency services, volunteers and our farmers have been outstanding
in emergency situations these past months, and we need to be as
vigilant in recovery as they have been in the face of disaster.”
Minister
Littleproud said the Commonwealth would continue to step up to do
whatever it takes.
"We
will continue to respond to changing conditions while these fires
affect communities across the country,” Minister Littleproud said.
“As
the rebuilding begins, the Commonwealth will be there to make sure
communities are well-resourced.”
Treasurer
Perrottet said he expected all savings insurance companies may accrue
as a result of the Government funded clean-up to be passed on to
policy holders to help assist them in the rebuilding process.
“I
know people are anxious to have their properties cleared as soon as
possible which is why the NSW Government has hit the ground running
with the clean-up effort,” Treasurer Perrottet said.
“Impacted
owners wanting their property cleared need to call Service NSW on 13
77 88 to register their details and provide consent for access to
their land.
“We
are working with the new National Bushfire Recovery Agency to ensure
a coordinated response to make clean-up as easy as possible for
property owners.”
The
NSW Government will provide regular updates to the Commonwealth on
the progress of the clean-up.
