Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) government announced natural disaster declarations and activated assistance to six local government areas (LGAs) on 7 December as bushfires continued to blaze through the country’s most populous state over the weekend.
The declaration and aid cover the LGAs of Central Coast, Mid Coast, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook, Warrumbungle, and Dubbo, according to the announcement on the state’s official website. The Central Coast region, located about 45 kilometres north of the state capital Sydney, is home to over 350,000 people.
As of midmorning on 8 December, more than 50 bushfires had burned through and were being controlled in over 3,500ha in Koolewong, Phegans Bay, Woy Woy Bay, Redhead, south of Booral Road, and on both sides of the Pacific Highway, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).
The fires have damaged at least 20 homes, critical infrastructure, fencing, agricultural assets, and national parks in the state, and killed one firefighter, according to initial assessments.
Support measures for affected communities made available through the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements include immediate financial help, as well as clean-up, rebuilding and recovery assistance for eligible residents whose homes have been damaged; concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers up to A$130,000; freight and transport subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder; and loans for non-profit organisations up to A$25,000.
“The Albanese and Minns Governments are working together to get support to communities impacted by these bushfires as quickly as possible,” Kristy McBain, federal minister for emergency management, said in a statement.
“These declarations make immediate assistance available so the difficult task of cleaning up and rebuilding can begin when it is safe to do so,” Janelle Saffin, NSW minister for recovery, added.
The NSW government said that the extent of the damage from the bushfires has yet to be determined as the RFS continues impact assessments.
Within the insurance industry, IAG has begun on-the-ground support for customers who have been impacted by the disaster.
Luke Gallagher, IAG executive general manager of claims, stated on the company’s official website on Monday that IAG has mobilised its HELP Response Vehicle, assessors and partner builders to provide immediate on-the-ground support to impacted customers.
NSW is among Australia’s most wildfire-prone regions, according to a Reuters report, noting that the “Black Summer” fires of 2019-2020 destroyed an area the size of Turkey and killed 33 people.
