City councils to offer relief and resources to bushfire-ravaged communities

Tuesday, 7 January 2019

In response to the devastation caused by bushfires ravaging NSW, Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has today convened a meeting of Sydney Councils to plan a coordinated response to help local governments in affected areas recover from the disaster.

With an unprecedented number of Australians in urban areas desperate to help those in need, Mayor Byrne said there are practical ways Metropolitan Councils can provide relief to affected communities in regional and rural NSW.

“At this moment of national emergency all of us must contribute to the effort. In particular the city must offer a helping hand to the bush.

“Mayors, councillors and local citizens in affected communities have been showing real leadership during this crisis. We are ready to support their work and to stand in solidarity with their communities.”

Today, Inner West Council has convened a summit of Metropolitan Mayors on Monday 13 January to coordinate assistance for local governments that have been affected by the fires.

Topics to be discussed at the summit include the possibility of seconding staff from urban councils to help with the huge recovery task including in services like waste, town planning, tree management and infrastructure.

For media enquiries, contact John Roper | Media & Communications Coordinator  9392 5914 or john.roper@innerwest.nsw.gov.au