Shoalhaven City Council will look to waive more than $1.8 million in development fees and interest for bushfire victims, as it helps the community rebuild after the devastating Currowan fire.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The city will also consider holding a "thank you festival" for emergency services, and will formally thank the community for its "generosity of spirit" during the crisis.
In an extraordinary meeting on Monday, councillors will consider a slew of bushfire-related motions.
These include details of the fire's impact on the Shoalhaven so far, showing it has burned more than 312,000 hectares and damaged or destroyed 428 houses, 43 facilities and 688 outbuildings in areas like Conjola Park and Lake Conjola, Budgong, Kangaroo Valley and rural areas of Sussex Inlet.
To help affected residents, the council is considering writing off fees and charges related to rates, development, environmental services and waste management, totaling more than $1.8 million.
For example, if approved, the owners of eligible properties will have the interest on any unpaid rates from December 2019 until June 2021 frozen, costing the council about $20,000 per quarter.
Likewise, the fees for lodging development applications, gaining a construction or occupation certificate, plumbing and drainage inspections and other development-related expenses will be waived for people with damaged or destroyed properties. The council has estimated $1.2 million worth of these fees will be waived.
Also at the meetong, councillor Nina Digiglio will propose holding a parade or thank you festival in Ulladulla and Nowra, to hail the "RFS, SES volunteers and emergency services who have defended our communities against extreme bushfire conditions since October".
In a notice of motion, she says this could bring the community together and help to stimulate business. The timing, location and format is yet to be proposed, but if supported, would be worked out by the council's tourism department.
Also on the agenda, Mayor Amanda Findley has submitted an emotional mayoral minute to formally thank the region.
"The devastation felt by those who have lost their homes and had buildings destroyed has been witnessed around the world and we have many wanting to help them in any way they can," her motion says.
"We the elected body of Council, appreciate the generosity of spirit that has been shown to the City of Shoalhaven and we thank you for your donations of goods, time and money."
"The community want to thank our front line responders in a meaningful way and we commit to doing so as soon as is practicable."
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
