Today is the government’s deadline for the completion of the so-called free bushfire clean up. However Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP, has questioned why more properties have been denied access to the scheme than have been approved.

According to figures provided by Shoalhaven City Council, 492 properties out of 916 registrations in the Shoalhaven were deemed “out of scope” by the NSW Government’s contractor.

“To have almost 500 properties in one local government area denied access to this clean up really tells the story,” Mrs Phillips said.

The Gilmore MP said local people were simply sick of the government’s false promises

“Local families impacted by bushfires were assured by the NSW and Federal Governments that the clean-up of their properties would be free, but this clearly has not been the case,” Fiona Phillips said.

“I find it absolutely shocking that, according to Shoalhaven City Council, more registrations were turned away than were approved,” Mrs Phillips said.

“The government has misled people impacted by bushfire and turned their backs on almost 500 people in the Shoalhaven who have asked for their help.”

This comes on top of reports today that the government has not spent a single dollar from the Morrison Government’s $50 million natural disaster mitigation fund. The fund could be used to prepare for and prevent natural disasters like the drought, bushfire and floods the South Coast has experienced this year, but the government has said it wasn’t needed.

“This is no time for government spin or passing the buck – the government needs to step up and provide answers for why it has turned its back on people impacted by bushfire,” Mrs Phillips said.