Bushfire recovery
Eurobodalla was significantly impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires. Hundreds of homes, many businesses, and thousands of hectares of bushland were damaged or destroyed.
This page provides information about what Council and other agencies have done to help rebuild and restore the social, built, economic and natural environment. Council's priorities are detailed in our Bushfire Recovery Action Plan.
Practical support
- Rebuilding and repairing after bushfires: Visit our page to find out about approval and planning provisions aimed to assist those rebuilding after bushfire.
- Disaster Response Legal Service NSW: Visit the website for legal assistance relating to insurance, credit hardship, housing, employment and document replacement.
- Phone the Disaster Response Legal Service helpline on 1800 801 529.
Inquiries and actions
- 31 July 2020: Read the NSW Bushfire Inquiry's final report.
The NSW Government has commissioned an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season to consider and report to the Premier on causes and factors contributing to the bushfires, preparation and response by agencies, and planning for future bushfire threats.
- NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry website
- Eurobodalla Shire Council's submission to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry (448.7 KB)
- All of Eurobodalla Council’s submissions to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements were also provided to the NSW Bushfire Inquiry.
- 30 October 2020: Read the Royal Commission’s final report.
The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements was established on 20 February 2020 in response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-20 which resulted in loss of life, property and wildlife, and environmental destruction.
The Commission examined coordination, preparedness for, response to and recovery from disasters as well as improving resilience and adapting to changing climatic conditions and mitigating the impact of natural disasters. The inquiry also considered the legal framework for Commonwealth involvement in responding to national emergencies.
The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements has concluded.
Eurobodalla Council's submissions
The Commission draws information from a variety of sources, including public submissions and hearings. Eurobodalla Council received a Notice and Summons to Give Information to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, our submissions are available to read here:
- 10 December 2019: Eurobodalla Council Meeting Notice of Motion: 19-012 Bushfire Fuel Reduction Protocols (259.4 KB)
- 10 December 2019: Eurobodalla Council Meeting Minutes for Notice of Motion: 19-012 Bushfire Fuel Reduction Protocols (411.4 KB)
- 29 April 2020: Eurobodalla Council response to summons (925.9 KB)
- 4 May 2020: Eurobodalla Council response to summons (1.2 MB)
- 4 May 2020: Eurobodalla Council response to summons - key documents (2.0 MB)
- 27 March 2020: Warren Sharpe Submission NND.001.00133 (81.8 KB)
- 19 June 2020: Submission to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements NTG-HB3-611 (831.4 KB)
- 22 June 2020: Response to Issues Paper (5.8 MB)
Council’s Bushfire Recovery Plan sets out activities to rebuild and restore the Eurobodalla Shire's social, built, economic and natural environments:
A Council report presented at the ordinary Council meeting on 13 September 2022 summarises the damage to Council’s infrastructure caused by the 2019-2020 bushfires and the nine natural disaster floods that followed. It also provides an overview of Council’s extensive work since to:
- recover local road and bridge infrastructure
- improve overall infrastructure resilience
- advocate for further support from the NSW and Australian Governments to improve the resilience of infrastructure.
The report was presented to Council at the ordinary meeting on 13 September 2022.
Bushfire-affected coastal waterways
The 2019/2020 bushfires affected a diverse range of landscapes and ecosystems across the Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven and Bega local government areas (LGAs).
Eurobodalla, Shoalhaven and Bega councils engaged an independent consultant to prepare a Catchment and Waterways Bushfire Recovery Plan for south-east NSW. The objective of the plan is to prioritise high-risk sites for targeted ecological restoration activities to aid bushfire recovery and build environmental resilience.
- Shoalhaven City Council: South-East Catchment and Waterways Bushfire Recovery Plan
- Read more about the Catchment and Waterways Bushfire Recovery Plan and Bushfire-Affected Coastal Waterways Project.
Estuary monitoring program
In November 2020 we expanded our monthly Estuary Monitoring Program to identify impacts to fire-affected waterways.
The program includes Clyde River, Tomaga River, Moruya River, Tuross River, Coila Lake, and Wagonga Inlet.
Eurobodalla nesting box program
Damage from the 2019/20 summer bushfires significantly reduced the number of nesting hollows for animals across the Eurobodalla. With thanks to funding from WIRES and government grants, we are installing artificial hollows, called nesting boxes, for local wildlife.
The boxes cannot replace an old growth tree with diverse hollows, but in areas where these hollows no longer exist, nesting boxes can benefit some wildlife species.
News and community updates
We published our final Bushfire Recovery in September 2022. These newsletters shared information on practical and financial support from different government bodies, rebuilding after bushfire, and related community information.
View past editions:
- Bushfire recovery update | September 2022 (final newsletter)
- Bushfire recovery update | 17 March 2022
- Bushfire recovery update | 24 September 2021
- Bushfire recovery update | August 2021
- Bushfire recovery update | June 2021
- Bushfire recovery update | May 2021
- Bushfire recovery update | April 2021
- Bushfire recovery update | March 2021
- Bushfire recovery update | February 2021
- Bushfire recovery update | November 2020
- Bushfire recovery update | October 2020
- Bushfire recovery update | September 2020
- Bushfire recovery update | August 2020
- Bushfire recovery update | July 2020
- Bushfire recovery update | June 2020
Other updates and announcements
- 24 October 2022: Resilience workshop for neighbourhood action plan
- 20 July 2022: New HQ for SES and RFS
- 19 July 2022: Eurobodalla Bushfire Recovery Service extended to January
- 13 April 2022: Campaign fires up to protect infrastructure
- 14 March 2022: Worldwide #bushfireblocks quilts on display
- 15 February 2022: $12.9M for Eurobodalla bushfire recovery
- 8 February 2022: Mending fences? Help is at hand
- 21 December 2021: Free collection of burnt rural fencing
- 7 December 2021: Apply now for community grants
- 2 December 2021: Help grow a Discovery Garden
- 23 November 2021: Friendly support to heal post fires
- 18 November 2021: Men’s Table offers mateship, support
- 8 November 2021: The right mix for Mogo – have your say
- 5 October 2021: Climate cause for concern for councils
- 30 September 2021: Murphys Bridge rebuild starts October
- 29 September 2021: Digging into our environmental recovery
- 20 September 2021: Tender awarded for Mogo Adventure Trail Hub
- 18 August 2021: Building bridges to future resilience
- 17 August 2021: Call to protect shire's telecommunications
- 20 July 2021: Volunteers needed for bushfire recovery
- 14 July 2021: New route for Araluen Road is underway
- 5 July 2021: Youth voices heard at climate forum
- 24 June 2021: Eurobodalla Climate Resilience Plan in development
- 16 June 2021: State-wide changes to submitting DAs
- 24 May 2021: Mogo creek restoration begins
- 21 May 2021: Araluen Road resilience work
- 18 May 2021: New bush fire prone land mapped
- 12 May 2021: Dam good announcement in federal budget
- 10 May 2021: ‘Secondary wave’ of tree deaths post-fires
- 6 May 2021: Garden reaps funding for new sensory playspace
- 4 May 2021: Exhibition brings hope to Scully family
- 26 April 2021: Free native plants to help our wildlife friends
- 21 April 2021: Reflect and heal on environmental losses
- 20 April 2021: Long road to recovery for rural network
- 19 April 2021: Tell Council your vision for Mogo village
- 12 April 2021: BlazeAid volunteers needed
- 24 February 2021: Work continues to reopen Araluen Road
- 18 February 2021: Fund assists community recovery
- 18 February 2021: Mayor responds to Mogo criticism
- 17 February 2021: Bushfire DA approvals reach milestone
- 15 February 2021: Youth photos to capture hope
- 12 February 2021: More free bushfire clean-up help
- 23 December 2020: Eurobodalla Bushfire Recovery Support Service extended
- 9 December 2020: Bushfire commemoration plaque unveiled
- 9 December 2020: Mow and slash long grass now, says RFS
- 25 November 2020: Flags mark one year anniversary
- 12 November 2020: Grow to give to fire-affected neighbours
- 10 November 2020: Picturing devastation, resilience and hope at the Garden
- 6 November 2020: Bushfire triptych portends people’s choice winner
- 6 November 2020: Detour found for Araluen Road residents
- 28 October 2020: Shire more resilient this summer
- 23 October 2020: Araluen Road closed to through traffic
- 28 September 2020: Up for a cuppa and a chat?
- 14 September 2020: Wheels turn on Mogo Adventure Trails Hub
- 14 September 2020: Get Ready with family, friends and neighbours
- 3 September 2020: Bushfire recommendations mixed, but who pays
- 13 August 2020: Progress on biodiversity regs for bushfire rebuilds
- 11 August 2020: Rare native plant discovered post-fires
- 3 August 2020: Switch off biodiversity to allow bushfire rebuilds, Mayor
- 30 July 2020: New bushfire recovery support service
- 22 July 2020: Funds to help environmental bushfire recovery
- 6 July 2020: Eurobodalla bridges on road to recovery
- 29 June 2020: Local voices heard at bushfire royal commission
- 23 June 2020: Council approves blueprint to rebuild Eurobodalla
- 17 June 2020: More help to rebuild after fires
- 17 June 2020: Street meet in Mogo
- 16 June 2020: Low numbers of flying foxes no surprise
- 27 May 2020: Stop before you chop
- 19 May 2020: Willing workers bolster recovery
- 11 May 2020: Sewer checks after the fires
- 23 April 2020: Araluen Road reopens today
- 10 April 2020: First stage of shire’s bushfire relief funding closes this month
- 20 March 2020: Recovery Centres remain open, reduced hours
- 13 March 2020: Local funds for bushfire affected residents
- 13 March 2020: Practical boost for businesses
- 12 March 2020: Mayor cautiously optimistic about business bushfire help
- 11 March 2020: Devil in the detail on rate support
- 9 March 2020: Youth recovery in focus
- 9 March 2020: Out of towners boost rental stock
- 3 March 2020: Waste deal struck
- 26 February 2020: How the bush springs back
- 26 February 2020: Willing hands help get rebuilding underway
- 20 February 2020: Clean-up underway
- 18 February 2020: Recovery outreach to Mogo and Nerrigundah
- 17 February 2020: Communication key for youth recovery
- 17 February 2020: “Does the rain mean we’re safe now?”
- 17 February 2020: BlazeAid sets up camp in Moruya
- 14 February 2020: Clear sightlines to Mogo adventure hub
- 12 February 2020: Out of the ashes - what to plant after a bushfire
- 12 February 2020: Sector plans bushfire support for youth
- 7 February 2020: Flexibility for fire-affected land owners
- 6 February 2020: Bushfire recovery update
- 4 February 2020: ADF salutes Eurobodalla
- 4 February 2020: Mayor welcomes rate relief
- 29 January 2020: Bushfire recovery update
- 28 January 2020: Recovery Centre goes mobile this week
- 24 January 2020: Extra services for fire waste start Saturday
- 22 January 2020: Bushfire recovery update
- 21 January 2020: Bushfire recovery update
- 20 January 2020: We need help and hope, now
- 20 January 2020: Bushfire recovery update
- 17 January 2020: Bushfire recovery update
- 14 January 2020: Eurobodalla Bushfire Recovery Centre to open tomorrow
- 14 January 2020: Residents can give Eurobodalla’s wildlife a helping hand
- 7 January 2020: High fire standards protect Garden’s new centre
- 1 January 2020: Eurobodalla bushfire update
- 1 January 2020: Bushfire emergency update: 1 January 2020