Clean up and recovery (bushfires)

NSW RFS (as the lead agency) assess site safety and advise residents on the status of return to home. We will share news on our Facebook page.

Follow NSW RFS on Facebook, including the local unit NSW RFS Central Coast District 

Fact sheet 

Read the property hazards following a bushfire fact sheet

Shut off damaged utilities

• Houses, sheds and other structures burnt in a bushfire can leave potential health hazards. Find out more about returning safely to your property after a bushfire.
• Do not go back to your property if the emergency is still active.
• Don't enter a damaged building or structure, unless authorities tell you it is safe.
• When you can enter your home, make sure you take care around electricity, gas and water, and shut off damaged utilities if it is safe to do so.

Assessing property damage

If you can still live in your property but critical repairs are required:
•    take photos of the damage
•    secure your valuables
•    reach out for legal and insurance support.

Key steps for safe bushfire clean‑up

Before you start

• Wait for emergency services to confirm it’s safe to return.
• Check for hazards: unstable structures, utilities (gas, water, electricity), disrupted sewerage, hot coals.
• Read the property hazards following a bushfire fact sheet

Protective gear

• Wear sturdy shoes, heavy‑duty gloves, long sleeves/trousers, and a P2/N95 mask.
  Dispose of contaminated clothing safely and wash/shower afterwards.

Handling ash

• Ash from CCA‑treated timber (e.g. telegraph poles, fence palings) is toxic.
• Keep ash damp, shovel into sealed bags, and never spread it on gardens.
• Read our 'waste' section on this web page for information on disposal or contact a waste facility

Asbestos and health risks

Asbestos fibres can pose a risk to health if airborne, as inhalation is the main way that asbestos enters the body.

Learn about the health risk, how to protect yourself and the safe removal of asbestos and health risks.

Waste management

• Separate waste: food, bulk items, green waste, scrap metal, hazardous materials.
• Read our 'waste' section on this web page for information on disposal  

Chemical hazards

• Wear gloves when handling chemicals.
• Use EPA Household Chemical Cleanout events for safe disposal.
• Report pollution or hazardous debris to the Environment Line (131 555) or info@epa.nsw.gov.au

Cleaning your home

• Ventilate rooms; wash surfaces with soap/detergent or bleach solution.
• Clean utensils thoroughly; discard contaminated medicines, cosmetics, or items exposed to fire retardants.
• Air soft furnishings outside; some items (e.g. pillows) may be unsalvageable.

Swimming pools

• Remove debris and ash; water may need to be emptied and refilled.
  Keep pools covered to prevent mosquito breeding until reinstated.

See more detailed clean-up advice on the NSW Government’s bushfire recovery webpage. 

Cleaning up fire suppressants or foam residue

If aerial fire suppressants (such as retardant) or firefighting foam have left residue on your home or vehicles:
•    Scrub the surfaces using a mild detergent and brushes to loosen and dilute the dried residue.
•    Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any remaining material.
•    Be cautious – the area may be slippery during cleaning.
•    A follow-up with a pressure washer can help, but scrubbing is essential to fully remove the residue.
•    Wear gloves and non-slip shoes for safety while cleaning.

Important numbers

• For medical advice contact your doctor or the 24-hour healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222.
• For medical emergencies call Triple Zero 000 or go to your nearest hospital emergency department if it is safe to do so.
• For 24-hour mental health support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or 13YARN, run by
• Aboriginal people, on 13 92 76.

If your household has been impacted by the recent bushfires, help is available. 

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 9 December, a support package for Koolewong fire affected residents was announced. View details here.

Before you begin cleaning up, take photos of any property damage. This evidence can support potential insurance claims and financial assistance applications. Find out more about how to demonstrate damage

Are you uninsured?
If you are uninsured, support may be available to you contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit NSW Government. 

The Insurance Council of Australia can be contacted for any questions, complaints or concerns about insurance on 1800 734 621 or Insurance Council of Australia.

Legal Aid NSW can provide free legal advice and minor assistance to people affected by disasters on a range of issues, including insurance, on 1800 801 529.

Are you insured?
If you are insured talk to your insurance company as soon as possible about how to make a claim.

Remember, before cleaning up, take photos or video of damage to your property and possessions as evidence for your claim. 

If you have clearance from your insurer and evidence for your claim, you can start cleaning up. 

Please keep personal safety front-of-mind when cleaning up and disposing of waste after bushfires.

Kerbside bin collections

• Weekly kerbside bin collections are continuing as normal. For properties on roads currently closed to vehicles, services will resume once access is restored. Please leave your bins on the kerbside (if safe to do so) until they’re collected.

Expanded waste disposal services

Council has introduced additional waste services for residents affected by the bushfire, primarily within the bushfire management exclusion zone:

a. Providing bulk waste skip bins at centralised locations across the broader area to dispose of priority items such as perishable food and providing the opportunity to order additional and bulk kerbside collections.
b. Providing the prompt replacement of any damaged bins.
c. Providing additional collections of existing bins for disposal of excess household waste, and
d. Continuation of the weekly household kerbside bin and bulk waste collections, and for roads currently closed services will resume immediately once access is restored.
e. Support owners to mitigate out-of-pocket expenses for waste disposal fees at Council waste facilities for cleanup and disposal of building waste from sites where houses were destroyed or damaged by the bushfire.  

Bushfire debris disposal

• Owners of properties with damage to buildings and structures should go through their insurance companies in relation to claim, clean-up and repair.
• If you need to remove bushfire impacted household waste and debris from your property, book a bulk kerbside collection, delivered as part of Councils domestic waste collection service. You can book up to six general or green waste bulk kerbside collections a year, reset annually on 1 February. For more information head to https://1coast.com.au/. Note: this service is not available for the disposal of building and demolition waste or for commercial premises.
• Alternatively, residents can take bulk waste to one of Council’s two waste management facilities at Woy Woy or Jilliby (fees apply). The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has waived the waste levy for bushfire affected residents on the Central Coast for the next 4 months. Residents will still need to pay the standard disposal fees for waste sent to landfill. Only the NSW Government levy has been waived. This applies to fire impacted mixed waste sent to landfill only. As a result, the gate fee for mixed waste at Council waste facilities has been reduced from $445.00 to $253.38 per tonne (inclusive of GST). To access the reduced fees, please bring your name, and the source address of the waste when disposing of materials.  
• Green organics (garden waste) are not subject to the levy, so the standard fee of $188.00 per tonne still applies to cover processing and recycling costs.
• Some recyclable items such as scrap metal and batteries remain free to drop off.

For assistance with pets, livestock (including horses) and wildlife, call the RSPCA on 1300 278 358 or the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.

For advice about assisting injured wildlife, visit WIRES Emergency Advice or call 1300 094 737.

Natural disasters, cleaning up and recovery can take a toll mental and emotional health. People in emergency incident affected communities may be feeling anxious, worried or afraid. It’s vital that you seek support and look after you and your loved ones' wellbeing.

If you or someone you know needs support, call NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or visit nsw.gov.au.

Support is available:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
• Mensline Australia: 1300 789 978
• Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
• Suicide Callback Service: 1300 659 467

Many in our generous community are asking how they can best support those affected.

The safest and most effective way to help is though GIVIT (www.givit.org.au). A local bushfire appeal will be set up shortly, and we will share a social media post when that is confirmed. Community members may post specific requests in the meantime. 

GIVIT is the official donation management partner for this recovery. They work with trusted community organisations and recovery agencies to ensure your support goes directly where it’s needed most.

Please do not collect, send or drop off clothing or goods in affected areas. Unsolicited donations can disrupt clean-up efforts and overwhelm local recovery operations.

Be alert for scam fundraising pages. Always use official channels like GIVIT 

Thank you for helping communities recover safely and effectively. 

View other not-for-profit organisations that you can make financial donations to. 

Register to volunteer 

• View Council’s road closures.
• Road closures and impacts to traffic: www.livetraffic.com, call 132 701 or download the Live Traffic App.