"We are in pain, we are in trauma, we are in deep, deep stress."
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These were the words of Exeter resident Sara Haslinger at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Haslinger, who lost her home during the bushfires recently, said she wanted to see development application fees waived for those who had lost their houses.
"I understand there is a motion for all fees relating to each of us who have to rebuild to be waived," she said.
"I'm asking you to follow the example of Blue Mountains Council, Shoalhaven Council and Bega Valley Council. Waive the fees."
The motion to waive DA fees for residents was defeated at the meeting. However the debate is unlikely to end here.
Wingecarribee Shire councillors discussed this possibility in detail at the meeting.
Councillor Garry Turland moved a motion to divert $300,000 from rate relief for properties with homes destroyed to support on the ground.
Cr Ken Halstead moved an amendment to the business papers to waive DA fees for replacement houses that were burnt down in the recent bushfires, along with several other items.
The motion also sought to impose a processing time of 10 working days for replacement homes and businesses.
These were two of 11 financial matters included in the recommendation.
During the debate, Cr Turland said he would like to add Cr Halstead's amendment to his motion.
This was agreed upon and Cr Halstead withdrew the amendment.
Cr Peter Nelson raised a foreshadowed amendment to provide a detailed report to be brought back to council on February 12.
The report would outline relief options for DAs and associated fees for residents who've lost houses.
"I'd like to consider DA refunds at a later stage which will be at the next council meeting," Cr Nelson said.
"I'd prefer to consider them in light of a full report from staff so that all the facts are known.
"For instance the payment of DA fees must be made to council for the DA to actually be compliant."
The amendment was put to a vote. Crs Nelson, Grahame Andrews, Larry Whipper, Gordon Markwart, Graham McLaughlin and Duncan Gair voted in favour of the amendment.
Meanwhile Crs Ian Scandrett, Garry Turland and Ken Halstead voted against the amendment.
In addition to the preparation of a report, councillors moved the following:
1. That council acknowledge the allocation of $1 million to Wingecarribee Shire Council through the Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Grant for bushfire impacted communities
2. That council acknowledge the requirement of the grant funding to develop a program of works within three (3) months (i.e. no later April 9, 2020) and report to the Office of Local Government on how the funding was spent within 12 months (i.e. no later 9 January 2021)
3. That council allocate the $1 million Commonwealth Government Disaster Recovery Grant for bushfire impacted councils for the following projects and amounts:
- Waste disposal at Bargo Waste Management Centre - $50,000
- Tourism Recovery Program - $75,000
- Balmoral Park, Balmoral - $100,000
- Casburn Park, Wingello - $50,000
- Tree Removal at Balmoral, Wingello, Exeter, Wombeyan Caves Road and Manchester Square - $225,000
- Glow Worm Glen - $25,000
- Mountain Bike Tracks at Wingello and Bundanoon - $25,000
- Roadside Entrance into Bundanoon - $25,000
- Contribution to Honour Fallen RFS Firefighters $15,000
- Rate Relief for Properties with Homes Completely Destroyed $300,000
- Flora and Fauna $100,000
- Contingency $10,000