Since the bushfire season began back in October in northern NSW , NACCHO has been working closely with the Federal Government , AH&MRC ,VACCHO , Winnunga and AHCSA Members to support the information sharing about emergency alerts , evacuations , fundraising and support on all our social media platforms ( See our report Part 3 Below ).
The bushfire season is far from over with Katungul ACCHO deciding to close both our Batemans Bay and Narooma offices this Friday, 31 January 2020. ( See Part 4 Below ).
Part 1 National Bushfire Recovery Agency
In the past few weeks after our CEO Pat Turner met with the Prime Minister on two occasions , NACCHO was invited to a forum hosted by the Agency ( See report Part 2)
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency (the Agency) has been established to lead and coordinate a national response to rebuilding communities affected by bushfires across large parts of Australia.
These factsheets provided by the agency to assist bushfire affected communities in their understanding of the recovery assistance and financial support available to them.
Download the 2 key factsheets HERE
Assistance for Families – Fact sheet 2020 01 23
Mental Health Assistance fact sheet 2020 01 23
These factsheets are also available on the Agency’s website along with additional information on relief and recovery measures.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
Culturally appropriate, comprehensive primary health care services are available through local Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services or Aboriginal Medical Services. Most of these services provide access to a general practitioner, nurse or Aboriginal Health Worker.
Visit HealthDirect to find your nearest Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service or Medical Service.
Additional support for Indigenous Australians
The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is available to assist Indigenous Australians and their communities, organisations and businesses get access to supports and services – contact details are available through the NIAA support to bushfire affected communities page.
The Australian Government’s Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) is providing a $2,000 bushfire crisis grant for home loan and business finance customers directly impacted by the recent bushfires. IBA is also temporarily suspending loan repayments for those affected and will assist customers who need help with insurance claims. This assistance can be accessed through the Indigenous Business Australia’s Assistance for bushfire affected customers page.
See our support for small business page for information on other support for bushfire-affected Indigenous corporations.
Immediate support for people directly affected by the bushfires is available now, and we are encouraging everyone to check their eligibility for the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment and Disaster Recovery Allowance by calling the disaster payments hotline on 180 22 66.
Families and individuals
The Australian Government has put measures in place so that families and individuals affected by bushfires can access resources quickly to ease the stress during the recovery phase.
Services Australia have special arrangements in place to help bushfire affected communities, including Mobile Service Centres and Mobile Service Teams. They can help you access all Australian Government payment services.
On these agency pages you can find Click Here
- Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment
- Disaster Recovery Allowance
- Back to school, early education and care assistance
- Child Care Assistance
- Additional support for volunteer firefighters
- Support for job seekers
- Emergency relief
- Financial counselling
- Other financial help after a bushfire
- Health advice
- Mental health support
- Medicare
- Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
- Air Quality
- Telecommunications and energy
- Additional support for Indigenous Australians
- Tax exemption for Disaster Relief Payments
- ATO administrative relief
- Other support measures
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- Lost or destroyed passports or citizenship certificates
- Redeeming damaged banknotes
- Bushfires Disaster Emergency Declaration
Part 2
The “deep sorrow” caused by the bushfires was the first item of discussion when the prime minister, Scott Morrison, met with the nation’s peak Aboriginal organisations on Thursday to agree on three major reforms to the way the government works with Indigenous communities.
The coalition of more than 50 peak Aboriginal community organisations told Morrison of the “deep sorrow that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people right across the nation feel at the scarring of their country and loss of wildlife”.
The meeting “recognised the significant role that cultural burning, led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, can play in expertly managing the impacts of bushfires in the future”.
Indigenous groups tell Scott Morrison of ‘deep sorrow’ at bushfire devastation
Part 3
Over the past 2-3 weeks NACCHO social media has been supporting AHMRC, VACCHO, Winnunga ACT and ACCHO members and communities in the impacted fire zones with a wide range of news ,crisis information sharing , fundraising and wide range of support.
Plus supporting many ACCHO members and supporters who organised donations and other support.
Assisted $1.4 Million Go Fund Me plus VACCHO GEGAC and Illawarra
On Facebook alone we have shared over 90 posts that attracted over 60,000 engagements (shares, likes and comments ) See Pages 3-9.
Download the full report
NACCHO Social Media Report support for Members during fire Crisis V
One post alone about the all female Indigenous fire crew in East Gippsland attracted over 14,00O likes etc
Part 4
Based on information provided this afternoon by the Eurobodalla Emergency Operations we have decided to close both our Batemans Bay and Narooma offices this Friday, 31 January 2020.
Extreme conditions are forecast for Friday and Saturday and we must consider the safety of our staff and clients.
See Facebook for updates
Please take care, stay safe and keep up to date with information from the RFS, Eurobodalla Council and your Fires Near Me app. Thank you all for your understanding and patience during this difficult time.