In partnership with the NSW Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Clarence Valley Council has set up a Disaster Welfare Recovery Assistance Point for communities and residents in recovery.

General manager Ashley Lindsay said, “We understand that the recovery from these unprecedented bushfires will take time, we want to ensure that residents and communities in recovery have a dedicated point of contact in Council where they can come and seek advice and information.”

During the initial emergency the evacuation centres are the first point of support and registration for people in need. After the initial emergency these evacuation centres transitioned to a Disaster Welfare Assistance Point – Clarence Valley had an assistance point in Victoria Street, Grafton.  The Disaster Welfare Recovery Point is the latest initiative supporting bushfire affected communities.

“We have been supporting the Office of Emergency Management from the very beginning of the bushfire season in our region. As time goes by the support provided changes depending on the phase of recovery the community are in,” Mr Lindsay added.  

In addition, as part of the recovery, staff from the OEM and Council will also be visiting communities and taking part in community recovery meetings.

The Recovery Assistance Point is open at 2 Prince Street, Grafton, Monday – Friday between 8.30am – 4.30pm.