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09-12-2025
SYDNEY: Australia activated disaster relief for residents impacted by wildfires that have burnt properties, infrastructure and thousands of hectares of bushland in the country’s most populous state.
The Albanese and Minns Governments have activated disaster assistance to communities in 6 Local Government Areas (LGAs) following a number of bushfires across New South Wales (NSW).
Initial assessments indicate a number of homes have been destroyed with extensive damage to more private property, critical infrastructure, fencing, agricultural assets and National Parks. The extent of the damage will be made clearer as RFS continue impact assessments.
The declarations activate a suite of support measures for residents, businesses, primary producers and councils. People whose homes have been damaged may be eligible for immediate financial help as well as clean-up, rebuilding and recovery assistance.
The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies to the LGAs of;
Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle and Dubbo.
Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include;
Assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items.
Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living.
Grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
Concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers up to $130,000
Freight and transport subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder.
Loans for non-profit organizations up to $25,000
Financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organizations to keep communities safe.
Impacted Councils will be provided with support to remove debris and for the reconstruction of essential public infrastructure.
Community members affected by the recent bushfires should contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit service.nsw.gov.au to access information on disaster assistance, grants, and recovery support.
The Minns Labor Government understands people want to help, but we ask the community not to send physical donations. The best way to support those affected is by donating through GIVIT.
More than 60 wildfires were burning in New South Wales on Sunday, a day after they destroyed at least 12 homes in the state’s central coast region, with a population of more than 350,000 people, about 45 km (30 miles) north of the state capital Sydney, Australia’s largest city.
Authorities have warned of a high-risk bush fire season this Australian summer with increased risk of extreme heat forecast for large swaths of the country, after several quiet seasons.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said fortunately there had been no loss of life so far in the fires.
“This summer, of course, like all summers it would appear in recent times, is going to be a difficult one,” Albanese said in remarks on Australian Broadcasting Corp television on Sunday. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
