REGIONAL BUSHFIRE RECOVERY - Council Update - 3 November 2023
> With fire crews currently responding to and monitoring minimal fire activity within the region, all of which are burning within containment lines, Council has commenced the transition into a recovery status.
> The Tara Neighbourhood Centre (49 Day Street, Tara) continues to operate as a Community Recovery Hub and will remain open over the weekend. Multiple service agencies are in place to support affected residents such as hardship assistance packages, housing services, the latest emergency information, health services, and on-site counselling.
> For residents who have been impacted by the fire emergency and are in need of food, you can visit the Tara Customer Service Centre for replenishments during standard business hours (closed this Saturday and Sunday).
> Residents impacted by the fires that were in the drop zone for fire retardant are advised not to drink or bath in water stored in tanks connected to roofs. The water can be used to clean and water plants. For more information on the products used, please visit https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/safety-education/water-additives or https://www.blazetamer.com/faqs
> For rainwater tanks and roofs impacted by smoke and ash, it is recommended to filter the water prior to drinking.
> If you require safe drinking water, Arrow Energy have a supply available for collection at the Wieambilla Sports Club.
> Clean-up crews have commenced roof and water tank cleaning in bushfire affected areas. Impacted residents who require this service can register by contacting Council on 1300 COUNCIL (1300 268 624) or visiting the Tara Community Recovery Hub for referral. Cleaning is expected to take some time to fully complete and we kindly ask residents to be patient as crews move through the work as quickly as possible.
> A catch-up waste collection service will occur only in the bushfire affected Tara estate areas from 6am tomorrow (Saturday 4 November) for those who missed the Wednesday 1 November collection due to access constraints. Please place both general & recycling bins out for collection.
> Starting Monday 6 November, the Tara Landfill will be on extended hours to 5pm daily (normally 12:30pm closure) to assist residents with disposal of waste.
> If this bushfire event has impacted on your mental health in any way, there are a number of support services available to you. You can contact the Mental Health access line on 1300 MH CALL (1300 642 255), find out more at https://www.qld.gov.au/health/mental-health/help-lines/1300-mh-call. Alternatively you can visit the Tara Community Recovery Hub.
> Personal hardship assistance is available to affected residents. Residents can phone the Community Recovery hotline on 1800 173 349 or visit: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/
> Primary producers who experienced damage or losses due to the bushfires are encouraged to complete DAF’s Agriculture Disaster Impact Survey: https://brnw.ch/21wDXqx You can also access disaster assistance loans: https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/program/disaster-assistance-loans and freight assistance: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/disaster/funding/freight
> GIVIT's bushfire appeal is now in operation and is the preferred avenue for donations from the public. You can donate here: https://www.givit.org.au/bushfires. The State Government has also created a central point of truth for community donations: https://www.qld.gov.au/about/bushfires. We ask that you do not take food or other donations to any Council facility, to the former evacuation centres, or to the recovery hub that has been established in Tara.
> Residents can keep across up-to-date emergency and recovery information via the Disaster Dashboard: https://disaster.wdrc.qld.gov.au/
Council will provide another general update Monday 6 November unless required sooner.