Support for Site Clean-up and Rebuild
11 February 2020
Bushfire Generated Waste Disposal
As part of a collaborative arrangement between Wingecarribee and Wollondilly Councils, Wollondilly is also extending their free waste drop-off service at Bargo Waste Management Centre to bushfire affected residents in Balmoral and Wingecarribee Council’s part of Buxton.
The free waste disposal service will be operational until Friday 28 February 2020.
To be eligible for the free service, residents must bring a copy of their letter received from Council, and proof of their residential address, such as a driver’s licence or a rates notice. All loads will be inspected.
Site Clean Up and Rebuild
The NSW Government is coordinating the clean-up of NSW residences and businesses impacted by the NSW bushfires. This includes both insured and uninsured properties.
Public Works Advisory (PWA), in consultation with property owners, is leading the clean-up effort with insurers, local government and contractors, to ensure that properties are efficiently and safely cleared.
The clean-up of bushfire impacted properties may include:
- Containment and removal of asbestos and other contaminated materials released as a result of bushfire
- Removal of all dangerous debris including destroyed material and hazard trees
- Removal of concrete slab foundations
Testing will be carried out on all properties to ensure communities already impacted by fire are not exposed to contamination, and workers are not exposed to any hazardous materials. Work will begin once fire grounds are declared safe by the Rural Fire Service.
Note: The cost of clearing properties will not be deducted from the funds available under insurance policies.
The NSW Government has provided funding to help cover the cost of clean-up's for both insured and uninsured properties;
- If your property is insured; the insurance company will arrange for the clean-up. The insurance provider should be contacted and provided with your claim number to request an assessment and to commence the clean-up process
- If your property is uninsured, the Public Works Advisory will arrange for the clean-up of fire affected properties including ‘cleaning up’ (removal of debris / remediating to a point where the property is habitable i.e. safe to return) of the property and immediately adjacent outbuildings. The NSW Public Works Advisory can be contacted on 1800 88 55 39.
Some properties will have received a Hazard Identification Notice indicating that hazards including exposed electrical wiring, fallen branches, unsafe trees or asbestos contamination may have been identified on the property. In this case, only return to your property when you have been given approval by the NSW Public Works Advisory to do so.
When you do return to your property, even where there is no such sign displayed, there may still be hazards on your property. Please ensure you wear a P2 face mask, which can filter out very fine particles from the air. If the Hazard Identification Notice indicates the presence of asbestos is suspected on your property, you should get further information from the Public Works Advisory on 1800 88 55 39.
Please note that asbestos waste must be removed by a licensed contractor and disposed of at a facility that is licensed to accept the waste. This may include the Resource Recovery Centre located at Berrima Road, Moss Vale and the private waste operator at Kiama Street, Bowral.
www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/uploads/3768/1.-support-for-site-clean-up-and-rebuild_9jan2020.pdf
Owners of Business/ Commercial Premises
Please register with your details. The government is working through the eligibility criteria and will contact you when the specifics are finalised. If you are insured, also speak with your insurer.
Property searches and plans can assist landholders with insurance claims and development applications to council, as well as provide peace of mind regarding land ownership following natural disasters.
If you have been affected by the recent bushfires and would benefit from access to land and property information from the land titles register, please call our Contact Centre on 1300 396 076 or (02) 8776 3575 and they can discuss how best to assist you.
Fire Retardants and Private Water Sources
www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/fire-retardants.aspx
www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/uploads/3768/nsw-frs-use-of-fire-retardants.pdf
Refill of Dams used by Firefighters
The Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (DPI & LLS) will facilitate the replacement of water used by firefighting agencies (e.g RFS) where there is an immediate animal welfare need.
If you require emergency water, contact the Agriculture & Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647 to register your request.
