4 years ago
TWO IN THREE NSW BUSHFIRE VICTIMS STILL WAITING FOR DEBRIS HELP
Murray Watt MP
Bushfire victims are being left out in cold as the Morrison Government’s debris clean-up efforts dawdle across some of the worst hit parts of NSW.
According to the Government’s own data, less than one in three properties registered for debris clearing in NSW have been done*.
Months after the bushfires, work hasn’t even begun in some regions. In Snowy Monaro as of May 20, 119 properties still had blackened remains of homes, sheds and carports scarring their landscape.
Bega Valley residents have also been left waiting, with just 22 per cent of work, completed.
Only one in every 13 charred property in the Queanbeyan-Palerang region has been done, along with just one in six in the Snowy Valleys.
For weeks the Government has been telling us the bushfire clean-up has been going well, but their own figures tell a different story.
It’s not good enough that residents have to wait so long for these very basic needs to be met.
It’s a massive blockage in the recovery process both mentally and physically for families to still wake up every day looking at the rubble of their burnt-down homes.
Scott Morrison promised immediate assistance, but these figures are proof he forgot victims the minute he left the fire ground.
It’s now winter and people are still living in caravans and temporary accommodation.
More than eight weeks ago I called on the Government to boost employment and speed up debris work by fast-tracking bushfire clean up. But that plea has fallen on deaf ears.
The Government must work faster to restore dignity to bushfire victims and help them move forward.
* Response to question on notice no.1530
According to the Government’s own data, less than one in three properties registered for debris clearing in NSW have been done*.
Months after the bushfires, work hasn’t even begun in some regions. In Snowy Monaro as of May 20, 119 properties still had blackened remains of homes, sheds and carports scarring their landscape.
Bega Valley residents have also been left waiting, with just 22 per cent of work, completed.
Only one in every 13 charred property in the Queanbeyan-Palerang region has been done, along with just one in six in the Snowy Valleys.
For weeks the Government has been telling us the bushfire clean-up has been going well, but their own figures tell a different story.
It’s not good enough that residents have to wait so long for these very basic needs to be met.
It’s a massive blockage in the recovery process both mentally and physically for families to still wake up every day looking at the rubble of their burnt-down homes.
Scott Morrison promised immediate assistance, but these figures are proof he forgot victims the minute he left the fire ground.
It’s now winter and people are still living in caravans and temporary accommodation.
More than eight weeks ago I called on the Government to boost employment and speed up debris work by fast-tracking bushfire clean up. But that plea has fallen on deaf ears.
The Government must work faster to restore dignity to bushfire victims and help them move forward.
* Response to question on notice no.1530