Funding boost to support bushfire recovery, response and preparedness in the Shoalhaven - Shoalhaven City Council - Media Release

 

20 July 2021

Shoalhaven City Council has been successful in securing $12 million for recovery in the Shoalhaven, response and preparedness projects following a recent funding announcement.  
 
Council has been awarded funding for eight projects through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package, co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments, which will deliver $283 million for bushfire-affected communities.  

Council has received funding for the following projects:  

• Construction of a fire station for Manyana/Bendalong. 
• Improve the resilience of four Shoalhaven showgrounds for bushfire and emergency evacuations. 
• Extend and improve the Lake Conjola Fire Station.  
• Supporting Lake Conjola tourism access with a new regional boat ramp. 
• Design and construct a new Bendeela Reservoir and Fire Water Tanks. 
• Provision of a user shared pathway and Bridge on Lake Conjola Entrance Road as a key piece of infrastructure leading into Lake Conjola. 
• Upgrade major telecommunication site's resilience to catastrophic events. 
• Huskisson Mangrove Boardwalk refurbishment of the current wooden structure built over the mudflats and through the mangroves into a wider and inclusive structure. 

Other projects funded related to the Shoalhaven include:  

• Upgrade and refurbish sections of the PCYC Shoalhaven Club to improve safety and better serve the Shoalhaven community.  
• Implement anti-erosion and sediment measures; control weeds; manage fires; provide training; run workshops and build land management contract businesses on public land in the Shoalhaven.  
• Implement the Positive Futures recovery program to build resilience, mental health, and networks for bushfire-affected young people and communities. 
• Install a microgrid energy infrastructure at Bawley Point and Kioloa.  
• Implementation for Anglicare’s Road to Recovery Program as a focused approach to engaging communities across the Shoalhaven, Queanbeyan-Palerang, and New England Local Government Areas.  
• Provide practical assistance to regenerate tracts of devasted forest land; regenerate habitats for important species; oversee natural regeneration; reduce fire risk and treat weed incursions, and collect data on forest regeneration and post-fire biodiversity in areas around Milton.  
• Establish an Aboriginal-led land management team in Shoalhaven. 

 Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Amanda Findley was delighted to receive the news.  

“Today’s funding announcement will help Shoalhaven City Council fast-track local infrastructure projects that focus on bushfire recovery, response, and preparedness”, Clr Findley said.  

“I thank the Australian and NSW State Governments for viewing our regional Fire Stations as a priority, with the improvement for Lake Conjola and the construction of the Manyana/Bendalong fire station being announced. 

“The funding will support local job retention and creation in bushfire impacted regions, strengthen community resilience and reduce the impact of future natural disasters,” Clr Findley said.  

Council applied for a number of projects under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package.  

Projects were identified from a range of sources such as Local and Regional Recovery Action Plans, existing NSW Government programs, and directly from councils. 

The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package is part of the $4.5 billion bushfire support program co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments. 

For more information visit the NSW Government’s website on the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package: https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/regional-recovery-programs/bushfire-local-economic-recovery-package.  

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A Message of Hope and Resilience One Year On - Shoalhaven City Council - Media Release

 

26 November 2020

Today, Thursday 26 November, marks one year since the start of the Currowan Bushfires in the Shoalhaven.  

Shoalhaven City Council’s Mayor, Amanda Findley said “One year on Shoalhaven City Council would like to recognise the contribution, generosity, and goodwill of those who came to the aid of Shoalhaven residents during the Currowan Bushfires”. 

“There are countless residents, emergency support services, volunteer groups and community service providers, not for profits and government agencies who went above and beyond to protect our community. 

Whilst it has been a challenging year the Shoalhaven has shown it is a resilient community.  

And today’s message is one of hope. We have seen and continue to see extraordinary compassion and kindness shown to our community.  

Let us remember to stay connected and committed to supporting one another.  

For those that need assistance, we are here to help. I encourage Shoalhaven residents to access support and services by calling Council's dedicated bushfire recovery hotline on 02 4429 5888 or to visit our website for information and resources. 

For those who are able to provide support, donations to the Mayoral Relief Fund are welcomed”, Clr Findley said.  

The funds from the Mayoral Relief Fund have been provided to help support individuals, families and tradespeople who have been directly impacted and need it most.  

Since funds have been directed to bushfire affected ratepayers and residents across the Shoalhaven in the past 8 months, over $308,000  has been given to those in need, with further funds of $114,000 to be distributed in the next few weeks.

In early March 2020, Council organised a series of Mobile Community hubs. More recently Council has supported a series of community resilience hub sessions, organised by Service NSW, to provide bushfire recovery information and support services.  

Since starting in March and resuming in September, there have been over 24 sessions held across the region. These free events will continue in 2021 and are advertised on Council’s website.  

More information on bushfire recovery support, including bushfire recovery support sessions, visit Council’s Get Involved page.  

Image: Hand holding a yellow ribbon. 

In Your Neighbourhood - This Week - Shoalhaven City Council

 

Mural's meaningful message

The amenities building at East Crescent, Culburra Beach now features a feathery new look thanks to a partnership between Shoalhaven City Council, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Lake Wollumboola Protection Association and Birdlife Shoalhaven. The organisations have united to highlight the importance of local migratory, nesting and water birds of the area.

Read the full article to learn more about the project.

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Shoalhaven Heads Master Plan review The Shoalhaven Heads Landscape Master Plan was developed in June 2014 in consultation with the community. Given the age of the Master Plan, many projects have since been completed, or the priorities in the community may have changed, and therefore a review is warranted. In order to review and update the current document, we are seeking feedback on the current Master Plan to identify the community's priorities for future projects. Consultation closes 20 November 2020. TAKE SURVEY

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Have your say: Proposed roundabout at Mollymook The proposed roundabout at the intersection of Tallwood Avenue and Bannister Head Road has been approved for funding under the Federal and State Government Stimulus Commitment, which requires the project to be undertaken this financial year. Consultation took place in November 2019, with the feedback received informing the current designs. View the plans and have your say by taking our roundabout survey, until Friday 20 November 2020. START SURVEY

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Crown Lands Plan of Management review We are currently in the process of revising three Plans of Management as a result of the legislation changes to the Crown Management Act 2016. We are seeking feedback on how you value relevant crown land in Shoalhaven, any issues or challenges experienced or identified, as well as what you would like to see as the future direction for the specified categories of land in the Shoalhaven. You can have your say on the Plans of Management until 5pm 13 November. Visit our Crown Lands Plan of Management project page. CONTINUE

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Recovery afternoon sessions Come along for a chat and receive recovery advice from a number of community service providers. Thursday 5, 3-6pm at Bawley Point RFS Station Thursday 12, 2-5pm at Milton RFS Station Thursday 19, 3-6pm at Lake Conjola Community Centre Friday 27, 2-5pm at Bendalong-Manyana RFS Station For additional information, contact our Bushfire Helpline on 4429 5888. LEARN MORE

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L'Etape scheduled tree works Council crews are undertaking works in stages between October 2020 and March 2021 to prepare for the prestigious L’Étape Cycling event.  The L’Étape Cycling event will be held on 19-22 March 2021 with part of the route crossing through the Shoalhaven region. Tree management works will commence 23 October 2020 and are expected to be completed by 18 December 2020. Residents on Cambewarra Lookout Road, Tourist Road, and Kangaroo Valley Road are advised to travel before 7am or after 5pm, to and from their residence on the  scheduled Tree Work days in November. SEE DETAILS

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Swimming season is underway All Village Pools have now reopened and are welcoming visitors. Open hours are: Monday to Friday: 7-11 am & 2-6 pm Saturdays & Sundays: 10am - 5pm Please be mindful that we need your help to ensure we remain open and COVID-Safe this swimming season. SWIM & GO! Keep a towel length apart (1.5m) Regularly wash or sanitise your hands Avoid unnecessary mingling Minimise use of communal facilities Stay home if you feel unwell VISIT WEBSITE

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Recycling in the laundry

There’s no need to get into a spin over recycling 

Wombat shows you that most of your laundry items are the simplest to recycle. Getting recycling right goes a long way to keeping our environment clean.

Answers to what goes in your yellow bin are in our UPDATED guide, available on our waste page.

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In Your Neighbourhood - This Week

 

First sustainable tourism project begins

The first of seven eco-tourism projects is underway in Shoalhaven thanks to funding from NSW Government’s Restart NSW program, Shoalhaven City Council and Ulladulla Local Aboriginal Land Council. 

Work on Palm Beach will provide more access to Ray Brooks Reserve, including a new pathway which will link the amenities building, car park and the playground.

It will also provide new BBQs and picnic shelters and a path connecting Ray Brooks Reserve to the Basin Walking Trail which will then continue along the foreshore providing a scenic foreshore walk. Read the full article on our website.

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Shoalhaven Heads River works underway The Shoalhaven Heads River Road Foreshore Precinct project was awarded $1.213 million from the NSW Government Restart NSW program. Council has contributed a further $873,776 to this project. The project will benefit the environment and the tourism offering for the local community.   The River Road drainage improvement work is scheduled to commence from early October 2020. Foreshore precinct construction and associated works will continue through 2020 with the project scheduled to be completed by mid-2021, weather permitting. CONTINUE

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Help us identify Boongaree benefits Visitors and residents are invited to take part in the Boongaree Evaluation 2020 - 2024 – Longitudinal Survey, which will help to identify the economic benefit Boongaree will bring to the town of Berry. The development of Boongaree is an action in the Berry Strategic Plan designed to enhance commerce within the town after the commencement of the Berry bypass. Survey results will assist with upcoming applications for grant funding for stages 2 -7 of the project and will support current grant funding acquittals. Survey closes 20 October 2020. START SURVEY

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Contactless donation system introduced A new contactless donation tap system has been introduced at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in Nowra. The new system provides a simple, contactless and cashless solution for tax-deducible donations. Donations go towards growing the exhibition and events program and help the Gallery continue to deliver outstanding exhibitions for the Shoalhaven.  Find out about our current and future exhibitions at the Gallery on the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery website. READ MORE

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Bushfire recovery afternoon sessions Come along for a chat this October and receive recovery advice from a number of community service providers. A sausage sizzle will be offered at some locations. Thursday 15, 2-5pm at Bendalong - Manyana RFS Station Thursday 22, 12-3pm at Lake Tabourie - Lake Tabourie RFS Station Tuesday 27, 12-3pm at Depot Beach - Depot Beach RFS Station Thursday 29, 2-4pm at Morton, Cnr of Clyde Ridge Rd and Woodburn Rd (Bus stop covered area) Call the Bushfire Helpline on 4428 5888. RECOVERY PAGE

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Grants for local sports defibrillators The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program provides grants of up to $1,900 to Councils, sports and recreation clubs towards the purchase and maintenance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Up to $1 million is available during the fourth and final round of the program, which has seen more than 1,500 defibrillators purchased by sporting facilities and clubs across the state. The first eligibility assessments take place from 23 November 2020, so don’t miss out on this great opportunity. DETAILS

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Take part in National Bird Week (19-25 Oct) Birdlife Shoalhaven and NSW government Saving our Species present: Dinner with the Birds Webinar Series. The series has been specifically developed for first time bird enthusiasts – just in time for National Bird Week on October 19 - 25. The series kicks off with Birds for Beginners and the Shoalhaven is a bird mecca, before moving onto talks about powerful owls, heathland birds, glossy black-cockatoos and shorebirds. RSVP for the free event here. LEARN MORE

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Bathroom recycling with Wombat

The bathroom can be a daunting place!  For obvious reasons most bathroom product packaging is made from plastic. But which ones can go into your yellow recycling bin? Wombat starts off with the easy stuff.

Answers to what goes in your yellow bin are in our UPDATED guide.

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