The Wambelong fire that started on January 12 in the Warrumbungle National Park has destroyed many homes and 43,000 hectares of land and is still burning. The extent of the fire and the destruction in terms of loss of property stock and destruction of wildlife is unprecedented in the area.
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In order to ensure that donations will benefit the community directly, Warrumbungle Shire Council has set up a Warrumbungle Shire Mayor’s Bushfire Appeal and will be taking donations from members of the public who wish to assist residents who have suffered, and in many cases lost everything as a result of the fire. Money is the most useful donation because it provides both flexibility and choice to meet immediate needs. It also circulates in the affected community, stimulating faster recovery for the local economy.
The Warrumbungle Shire Mayor’s Bushfire Appeal aims to provide a “one stop shop” where members of the public can donate money to assist victims of the Wambelong, and the nearby Redbank fires, while ensuring that all monies donated are used solely on assisting residents who have suffered as a result of either the Wambelong or Redbank fires.
How will Council accept donations?
Council has set up a special purpose bank account to accept donations via EFT:
Account Name: Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor’s Bushfire Appeal
BSB: 062-524
Account: 10133579
Bank: Commonwealth Bank
Donations will also be accepted by cheque or payment at the Shire’s Coonabarabran and Coolah offices, and also at all CBA branches. Further details are available on the Warrumbungle Shire Council’s websitewww.warrumbungle.nsw.gov.au or by calling Council on 02 6849 2000.
Are donations tax deductible?
All donations over $2 are tax deductible. Please contact Council with details of your payment to request a tax receipt.
How does Council plan to distribute funds collected?
All funds received will be allocated to locally based registered charities who will provide direct assistance to victims of the two bushfires on behalf of Warrumbungle Shire Council. Council will not use any donated funds for administration or other Council purposes (e.g. infrastructure repairs).
Council will also ensure that all funds donated to charities will be used to assist victims of either the Wambelong or Redbank fire natural disaster events, and no monies will be used by selected charities to cover administration or other management costs.
What about donations of gifts?
The recovery effort for the Coonabarabran Bushfires is encouraging donations to the appeal. At present there is no more need for second hand goods and local charity agencies have no storage space left to receive donated items.
If we identify particular needs we may launch a targeted appeal for specific items, so please watch out for that. If you have any goods you wish to donate, then please consider selling these and donating the proceeds to the appeal.