From left: Eurobodalla Bushfire Recovery Support Service’s Tuula MacKenzie, Annette Greer, Mary Anderson and Judith Ahearn, Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Liz Innes, Jane Robertson, and Michelle Bonner. Photo: Supplied.
The Eurobodalla Bushfire Recovery Support Service will continue to provide assistance to bushfire affected residents until the end of December 2021, after additional funding from the NSW Government and Federal Government of more than $1 million.
The service is run by Eurobodalla Shire Council to support the community, which was severely impacted by the Black Summer bushfires. The funding will provide for the employment of three more case managers, and keep the service open until late next year.
During the Black Summer bushfires, Eurobodalla Shire had 501 homes destroyed, 274 houses damaged and 79 per cent of the shire burnt.
Recovery service coordinator Jane Robertson said more than 500 people had registered for assistance.
“Our team is connecting and working with clients throughout the Eurobodalla Shire, in which every locality was impacted in some way,” she said.
“Their issues are complex and varied. The scale of psychological damage, trauma, grief and loss people have experienced is unmatched to any previous disaster.
“Some are experiencing financial stress due to having inadequate insurance or losing their income. Many are finding a lack of available housing; some are yet to fully clean up their properties; and others are experiencing relationship breakdowns.”
Ms Robertson said the service helped people with things such as housing options; applying for financial support from numerous charities and government agencies; clearing burnt debris and fence lines; and referral to emotional support and specialised trauma counselling.
“Working to find solutions and resolve these complex issues takes time so we’re pleased our work can continue beyond the original planned 12 months,” she said.
For assistance, drop in to the Eurobodalla Bushfire Recovery Support Service at 46 Vulcan Street, Moruya, next to Moruya Pharmacy, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4 pm.
You can phone the service on 02 4474 7434 or email them. The service is currently closed and will reopen on Monday, 4 January.
For more information about bushfire recovery in Eurobodalla, visit the council’s website.
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