Interim Administrator calls for bushfire report

Wingecarribee Shire

New growth on burnt tree

Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Interim Administrator Viv May has called for a report into Council’s response following the 2019/20 Black summer bushfires.

Mr May’s request follows visits to the Shire’s bushfire-impacted villages.

“I’ve met with numerous residents and heard some truly harrowing experiences from the fire front,” he said.

“During this time, I’ve been most interested in hearing their accounts and how they felt Council responded following the aftermath of the bushfires.”

Mr May has asked the report to focus on Council’s immediate response to the bushfires and ongoing recovery actions.

“This may prove to be a ‘warts and all’ report,” he said. “But if mistakes were made it’s imperative we learn from these lessons to avoid repeating the same errors, if heaven forbid, the Shire is faced with a similar threat.”

Mr May said the report would focus on Council’s response to the bushfires only.

“While I’ll be seeking input from the NSW Rural Fire Service, National Recovery and Resilience Agency and Resilience NSW, the report will not look at the actions of any other agencies.

“Not-for-profit organisations will also be approached as they too played an important role both during and after the bushfires,” Mr May added.

Council staff have been tasked to prepare the report for the Interim Administrator with a draft expected to be returned to Council by 14 July 2021.

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