A team from a Sydney council have temporarily joined the Eurobodalla Shire development assessors crew to help fast-track development applications for bushfire-affected residents.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Most residential properties were expected to be "substantially" cleared by June 30, the Eurobodalla Shire Council said.
The council said four Inner West Council employees - Cameron Gray, Conor Wilson, Asher Richardson and Ellen Shannon - would help process development applications and make way for new ones.
NSW Government fees associated with development application fees had been waived for home owners rebuilding bushfire-affected buildings, Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Liz Innes said.
She said the council was also offering Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessments for affected property owners to simplify and make that process quicker.
"The NSW and Australian Governments will cover the cost of bushfire clean-up and I welcome the arrival of contractors Laing O'Rourke to Eurobodalla last week to start the work," she said.
"They expect most residential properties to be substantially cleared by 30 June."
She said decisions around rebuilding - "if, when, how?" - would be different for everyone but the process must be quick and easy.
"Normal business was interrupted during the bushfires, with some staff unable to safely travel to work and others tasked with immediate emergency response action," Cr Innes said.
"Thanks to the generosity of the Inner West Council and to the willingness of Cameron, Conor, Asher and Ellen to lend us a hand, we can get on with supporting our community to rebuild, with an upswing in applications during the last few weeks."
Inner West Council had also provided arborists to Bega Valley Shire Council and sediment control staff to Central Coast Council. Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said everyone should contribute during times of national emergency.
"In particular the city must offer a helping hand to the bush," Clr Darcy Byrne said.
"Mayors, councillors and local citizens in affected communities have been showing real leadership during this crisis. We are ready to support their work and to stand in solidarity with their communities."
It has been Australia's lost summer. Drought, hail, floods and, worst of all, bushfires have ravaged communities all over the nation. But the selfless actions of friends, family, neighbours, strangers, local groups and volunteer organisations have inspired us and strengthened the bonds of community. Please join us in saying thanks to the heroes of the home front by sharing your stories of gratitude. To salute a person or a group, please use the form below.
