Recovery Centres remain open, reduced hours

Eurobodalla’s Bushfire Recovery Centre in Batemans Bay and the Recovery Point in Narooma will remain open for the time being, although with reduced hours from this Saturday.

While COVID-19 requirements limit indoor gatherings to under 100 people, the NSW Office of Emergency Management and Council consider the recovery centres an essential service for residents needing bushfire recovery support and information.

One of the busiest recovery centres in New South Wales, Batemans Bay has registered nearly 5,000 households for assistance since opening on 15 January.

The Narooma Recovery Point has been supporting residents with essential recovery information since February, and is also proving popular with residents from Bega Valley’s north.

The centres are managed by Council in collaboration with NSW Government departments. Staff there can help identify the right financial, housing and emotional support, get application processes started and answer questions.

Reduced opening hours will allow the recovery teams to begin placing a greater focus on outreach services to impacted communities. Council will announce the outreach schedule late next week.

Those visiting the recovery centres are asked to follow Australian Government health warnings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Please practice social distancing and stay 1.5 metres from others, and don’t visit the centres if you have cold or fever symptoms, if you’ve had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case, or returned from overseas in the past 14 days.

The Recovery Centre is located at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club and the Recovery Point at Narooma Golf Club. Both are currently open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. After Saturday 21 March, hours will be reduced to Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm at Batemans Bay, and Monday to Thursday, 10am to 4pm at Narooma.

Residents can also call the Service NSW Bushfire Customer Care service on 13 77 88.