If your home was damaged or destroyed in the bushfires, keep an eye on your emails – we have partnered with Service NSW to ask you a few questions about bushfire recovery. Your answers will help us understand what support is most needed in our communities, and to let you know about available assistance.

The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre and the University of Wollongong are commencing bushfire research in the Hawkesbury and are inviting Hawkesbury community members to participate by sharing their stories.

Researchers are undertaking independent research into community preparedness and responses to the 2019-20 bushfires in New South Wales. The research is funded by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and the results will be presented to the NSW RFS.

To participate in the research, simply complete a short form on The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre website at www.bnhcrc.com.au/research/nswfires201920 and the researchers will contact you to arrange a suitable interview time. The website provides more information about the research.

Has your business been impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires? If so, we encourage you to complete the BizRebuild survey.

The research aims to understand how local businesses were impacted by the bushfires. The results will help BizRebuild understand the scale of the impact on businesses and enhance their support programs.

ℹ️Survey link

APPLY FOR A SMALL BUSINESS COVID-19 RECOVERY GRANT

If your small business or not-for-profit organisation has experienced a decline in turnover as a result of COVID-19, you may be eligible for a small business recovery grant of between $500 and $3000.

This grant helps small businesses meet the costs of safely reopening or up-scaling operations. These expenses include, but are not limited to:

👉fit-out changes and temporary physical changes (for example, plastic barriers at checkouts)
👉staff training and counselling
👉business advice and continuity planning
👉cleaning products and additional cleaning services
👉additional equipment necessary to comply with social distancing or other public health measures
👉marketing, communications and advertising
digital solutions (for example, e-commerce or business websites).

ℹ️Applications close 11:59pm Sunday 16 August 2020, to apply online click here

The Red Cross have the following grants open until 31 August 2020 for bushfire impacted residents;

Bereavement Grant
Emergency Grant
Primary Residence Repair Grant
Injury Grant
Re-establishment Grant

Follow this link for further details redcross.org.au/grants

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Council is hosting a series of ‘listening posts’ in the fire-affected regions of the Hawkesbury. We want to understand the needs of our communities so please, visit us on the dates below to talk to Council staff and recovery support services who are there to listen and to help to locate the assistance or services you may need.

COLO
COLO HEIGHTS HALL - Wednesday, 22 July from 10am to 2pm
COLO HEIGHTS HALL - Wednesday, 29 July from 10am to 2pm

BILPIN
BILPIN MARKETS - Saturday, 25 July from 10am to 12pm
BILPIN HALL - Tuesday, 27 July from 10am to 2pm

ST ALBANS
SETTLERS ARMS - Thursday, 23 July from 10am to 2pm
SETTLERS ARMS - Thursday, 30 July from 10am to 2pm

Over the past few months, Hawkesbury City Council has provided 910 free plants to Hawkesbury residents with bushfire affected properties.

Each property owner was able to take home up to 10 free plants from Hawkesbury Community Nursery to help bush fire affected community members replace the native vegetation on their properties.

Plants choices included a selection of ground covers, shrubs and trees suitable for various property locations.

Many residents took the chance to green up their homes, including Lisa Wyatt from Central Macdonald, who was delighted to meet Hawkesbury Community Nursery Officer Jutta Hamilton to collect her 10 assorted natives.