After an emergency

After the immediate danger of an emergency or disaster has passed, families and businesses should continue to exercise caution in their homes and communities to stay safe during the clean-up and recovery process. It is important to give yourself time; recovering from an emergency can be a gradual process.

We have provided some resources and links below for your assistance, please contact Council if you have any questions or visit the Resilience NSW website.

After an emergency event the Local Emergency Management Committee will consider the need to establish a Local Recovery Committee. A Local Recovery Committee is the strategic decision making body for recovery and provides a mechanism for local recovery leadership. The recovery committee will assess community needs and capacity, then develop a recovery action plan.

Recovery centres

During times of emergency, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) determines the need for and location of Recovery Centres. The centres provide a one stop shop for affected residents, businesses and farmers to access recovery assistance from a range of agencies and organisations.

For further information please contact Council.

Practical Support

The following agencies provide practical support and guidance for recovering from an emergency:

Disaster assistance schemes

The Office of Emergency Management provides support and guidance on disaster assistance - for further information, visit the OEM website

If your home or contents have been damaged by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for a Disaster Relief Grant. To apply, call Disaster Welfare Services on 1800 018 444.

The NSW Rural Assistance Authority may be able to provide assistance to primary producers and small businesses that have suffered loss or damage due to a natural disaster.

Insurance and legal

In the first instance, contact your insurer or lawyer directly for advice on what options you have. If you do not have one, we have provided some general resources below.

The Insurance Council of Australia coordinates industry and Government liaison during the recovery phase of a disaster event. For more information on the Insurance Council's Disaster Response, visit disasters.org.au

Legal Aid NSW and LawAccess NSW offer free legal advice and support. For further information about dealing with an insurance company after your property has been damaged, view Legal Aid's guide on What to do after a natural disaster

The NSW Small Business Commissioner has also developed a guide to assist small business owners in the recovery phrase, guiding them through the often complicated insurance claims process and providing advice if they encounter issues with providers.

Emotional wellbeing and support

The following agencies offer a range of support and advice, links to their websites are included below:

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