Financial assistance for bush fire affected residents
Staff from Wingecarribee Shire Council will be based at the Balmoral Village Rural Fire Service (RFS) shed in the coming days to distribute pre-loaded cash cards to fire-affected residents.
Staff will be in attendance today, Tuesday 24 December, and again on Friday 27 December.
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Duncan Gair said the cash cards were to help those residents directly affected by the bush fires in the coming days.
“Some families have lost everything,” he said. “These cards are to help those people purchase food and immediate necessities in the days ahead.”
Cash cards of $250 per person or $500 maximum per household are available. Applicants must be residents of the Shire and identification may be required.
“We know the timing of these fires have been particularly difficult leading up to the Christmas shut-down,” the Mayor added. “Because of these circumstances we stress that these cards are intended for those residents of Balmoral and Buxton that have lost so much.”
Staff will be on-hand between 2.00pm and 4.00pm Tuesday 24 December at the Balmoral Village RFS Shed and again between 10.00am and 3.00pm on Friday 27 December 2019.
The Balmoral Village RFS Shed is located on Railway Parade in Balmoral.
Residents are reminded of the following additional financial assistance avenues:
- The NSW Government Office of Emergency Management is coordinating donations of $1000 per adult and $400 per child.Phone the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444 between 8.30am and 4.30pm or visit www.emergency.nsw.gov.au for more information.
- The Australian Red Cross are offering $2000 assistance grants per household to bush fire affected residents.Phone 1800 268 772 or visit www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-bushfires for more information.
For additional information on disaster assistance advice including housing assistance, cleaning up, insurance queries, animal welfare, legal assistance, replacement of personal documents, counselling and mental health support services, visit
www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/Pages/for-the-community/disaster-assistance/disaster-assistance.aspx.
Mayor Gair said Council rubbish services were being restored as per the usual collection schedule and residential bins lost in the fire replaced.
“Following from yesterday’s visit I’d like to thank everyone involved in the ongoing efforts in helping the villages of Balmoral and Buxton get back on their feet,” the Mayor added.
“The volunteers, emergency services, utility providers and local Police under the direction of Inspector John Klepczarek have been absolutely amazing.
“My final words of gratitude however are saved for those brave men and women of the Rural Fire Service who continue to protect our Shire.”
For Green Wattle Creek Fire insurance claim purposes quote Police Event Number E74268368.