National Bushfire Recovery Agency co-ordinator Andrew Colvin, visited the Manning during a trip to North Coast. Here's what he had to say:
Every recovery journey is unique and every individual's recovery experience is deeply personal.
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This was especially evident last week when I had the privilege of travelling through the Mid North Coast and listening to stories of bushfire recovery.
While it may have seemed like bushfire-affected communities had been forgotten this year, the NBRA has been meeting virtually with councils and communities since March to understand how we can best support their bushfire recovery.
However, nothing beats face-to-face engagement, so I was particularly keen to travel to your beautiful region as soon as possible once COVID restrictions eased.
While there is never enough time to visit everywhere, I am grateful to have spent time last week with locals and community groups in Coffs Harbour, Nana Glen, Macksville, Nambucca, Kempsey, Willawarrin, Moparrabah, Port Macquarie, Johns River, Bobin, Taree, Dunbogan, Rainbow Flat and Forster. I also met with the councils for Nambucca Valley, Kempsey Shire, Port Macquarie-Hastings and MidCoast.
I am thankful for the willingness of communities to speak with me about their experiences in the bushfires, and how they have recovered so far.
The flames might have passed, but for many people the emotional impact is still very real.
There is no right or wrong way to feel - people can respond to the same event in very different ways.
If you're not feeling like your usual self, simple strategies can help, like getting enough sleep and exercise, talking to family and friends, finding time to do something you enjoy each day, or talking to a professional.
Free counselling is available, and lots of people are finding it helpful to talk to someone - you can book in with the services listed at www.hnc.org.au/bushfire-support
I am also grateful to communities for sharing their frank and constructive feedback regarding ways to improve available assistance across the government, non-government, private and charitable sectors.
While every community is different and each has their own approach to recovery, there are a number of key themes that were consistently raised with me last week.
Concerns included mental health and wellbeing, telecommunications issues, the need for communities to have dedicated community halls or gathering spaces, and the burden created for individuals and communities by damaged or destroyed fencing.
Communities also had positive feedback for the RFS, SES, emergency first responders, volunteers, charities and Commonwealth and State government grants for primary producers, small businesses, tourism, community infrastructure and local economic recovery.
But we also know that accessing them can sometimes feel like an added burden.
Having heard directly from your communities, the NBRA's role is to work with the local and NSW governments to ensure a coordinated approach to addressing these issues.
While we cannot promise a solution for every issue raised, we will continue to work with our counterparts to facilitate the best possible community-led recovery.
This will look different for every community; only each community can know what will work best for them.
If you were affected by the 2019-20 bushfires, please contact the NBRA and ask to speak with your local Recovery Support Officer (RSO), or visit our web site to see what support is available.
We know that many of you are busy running properties, managing your small business and/or rebuilding your home, all while dealing with the personal aftermath of the bushfires.
Our RSOs in Kempsey and Forster are there to make navigating recovery from the bushfires easier, so you can continue to focus on your wellbeing, livelihood and families.
To get in touch with your local RSO, please email liaison@bushfirerecovery.gov.au If you prefer, you can also send us a confidential message via our Facebook page or website. Visit facebook.com/FireRecoveryAU and click Message, or www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au.
In particular, I note that several funding measures are closing soon. Please ensure you engage with the NBRA, or your State representatives through Resilience NSW on 9212 9200 or info@resilience. nsw.gov.au soon so you don't miss out.
This financial support is an acknowledgement from the Australian Government for those who are so often the backbone of our country - such as primary producers and small business owners - and who suffered heartbreaking losses during the Black Summer.
Thank you for hosting me in your backyard. Your experience during the 2019-20 bushfires is not forgotten and the NBRA is here to assist you however we can as you continue your personal and community recovery
