EIGHT truckloads of waste metal fencing from properties impacted by the Sir Ivan Bushfire in February have been collected at no charge to property owners.
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Metal recycling company SimsMetal last week loaded and removed burnt fencing wire and metal posts and transported it to Sydney for recycling.
SimsMetal business manager for NSW/ACT Charlie Carlyon said the company just wanted to help.
“It is not a money-making arrangement but we understand the farmers in the Sir Ivan Bushfire ground need help,” he said.
“Recycling the burnt wire cleans up the farms and is a better environmental outcome.
“We are about a quarter of the way through the list of farms that need burnt fencing wire removed.
“The light weight and bulky nature of the wire means there is not much weight in each truck load of scrap.”
About 28 property owners took up the offer across the Sir Ivan Bushfire region covering Upper Hunter, Mid-Western Regional and Warrumbungle shires.
Cassilis residents impacted by the fire can access other free and discounted services from Upper Hunter Shire Council:
Tree clearing: Upper Hunter Shire Council is offering a subsidy of up to $1000 to property owners in the Upper Hunter Shire impacted by the Sir Ivan Bushfire, to assist in the clearing of dangerous trees on fence lines. The subsidy can be used to pay for plant hire or materials to assist in clearing council reserve trees on fence lines where they are a threat to new infrastructure or road users.
Council will make an assessment prior to approving the subsidy, which is available until August 31, 2017. For more information contact council’s special projects manager Alan Fletcher on 6540 1103.
Water charges: Cassilis residents can request a waiver for increased level of water usage charges during the Sir Ivan Bushfire event on their current water bill. Requests for a waiver must be made in writing to council to PO Box 208, Scone NSW, 2337, email council@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au or at council offices in Merriwa, Murrurundi and Scone.
DA fee waivers: Council is waiving applicable Development Application, Construction Certificate and inspection fees until February 28, 2018, for property owners re-building their homes destroyed in the Sir Ivan Bushfire. The fee exemption is only available to property owners that owned the property at the time of the bushfire.
Waste disposal: Cassilis residents and landowners can dispose of fire damage waste free of charge at Council’s Merriwa and Cassilis landfills. The waste must not contain asbestos and would generally come from sheds, fencing and equipment that is fire damaged.
For more information about the Sir Ivan Bushfire Recovery, view the latest newsletter available at www.upperhunter.nsw.gov.au