Members of Boggabilla Rural Fire Brigade joined brigades from across New South Wales to help combat bushfires in the Merriwa and Bylong Valley areas in the Upper Hunter region, with the Albanese and Minns Governments on Sunday activating disaster assistance to communities in six Local Government Areas.

The NSW Government’s Natural Disaster Declaration applies Warrumbungle, Dubbo, Upper Hunter, Muswellbrook ,Central Coast and Mid Coast LGAs.

Initial assessments indicate a number of homes have been destroyed with extensive damage to more private property, critical infrastructure, fencing, agricultural assets and National Parks.

The extent of the damage will be made clearer as RFS continue impact assessments.

The declarations activate a suite of support measures for residents, businesses, primary producers, and councils.

Member of Boggabilla Rural Fire Brigade joined brigades from across New South Wales to help combat bushfires at the weekend (Image: Boggabilla Rural Fire Brigade).

People whose homes have been damaged may be eligible for immediate financial help as well as clean-up, rebuilding and recovery assistance.

Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Assistance measures that may be provided to communities include assistance for eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items; grants for low-income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living; grants for low-income, uninsured residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition; concessional loans for small businesses and primary producers up to $130,000; freight and transport subsidies for primary producers to help transport livestock and fodder; loans for non-profit organisations up to $25,000; and financial support towards counter disaster activity undertaken by emergency service organisations to keep communities safe.

Impacted Councils will be provided with support to remove debris and for the reconstruction of essential public infrastructure.

Community members affected by the recent bushfires should contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit Service NSW to access information on disaster assistance, grants, and recovery support.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain said the federal government stands ready to support New South Wales communities during times of emergencies.

“Bushfires like this are very distressing and my thoughts are with everyone that has been impacted,” she said.

“Conditions yesterday were extremely challenging and I’d like to thank all our emergency services, crews are fighting fires and keeping our communities safe.

“The Albanese and Minns Governments are working together to get support to communities impacted by these bushfires as quickly as possible.”

NSW Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin said hearts are with every community impacted by the recent fires.

“We know people have lost homes, livelihoods, and their sense of security,” she said.

“While we continue to contain the fires that have impacted communities across New South Wales, our priority is also to support those people whose homes and livelihoods have been impacted.

“These declarations make immediate assistance available so the difficult task of cleaning up and rebuilding can begin when it is safe to do so.

“The NSW Government will continue to stand with affected communities every step of the way as the full extent of the impact becomes clear,” she said.

The Minns Labor Government understands people want to help, but ask the community not to send physical donations.

The best way to support those affected is by donating through GIVIT, the State Government’s official disaster relief partner at GIVIT.