Extra council services are being provided to assist with the clean-up after the ferocious storm which caused widespread damage in Sutherland Shire.
Sutherland Shire Council will provide additional green waste collection, wood chipping and street sweeping services in the hardest hit suburbs, with postcodes 2229 and 2228.
"From initial SES reports, we know that considerable damage was sustained in Miranda, Caringbah and Caringbah South," said mayor Carmelo Pesce.
"To assist these heavily impacted areas, council is providing both kerbside green waste collection as well as additional green waste bin collection service.
"We ask residents in these three areas to place storm related green waste onto the nature strip as early as possible.
"The green waste collection has commenced and will continue until Friday January 24."
"We are also providing the extra green waste bin collection to these three areas on Saturday January 25.
"Residents are advised to place their green waste bin (only) out on Friday evening for collection. Regular fortnightly green waste bin collections will go ahead as normal."
Cr Pesce said residents in other suburbs who were affected would also receive assistance to dispose of storm related green waste material.
"Due to the widespread nature of the storm, we ask residents in other suburbs who are affected contact council on 9710 0333 and report their need," he said.
"We will continue to assess the extent of damage across the shire and will respond accordingly to support our community."
The council is offering all residents affected by the storm access to an additional wood chipping service, to be held on Saturday February 1 at Miranda Park from 8.30am to 3.30pm.
Cr Pesce said the council was working to "help and support our local residents and are doing our very best to respond, prioritising areas most in need of assistance".
"I'm encouraging our community to come together and do what you can to help during the clean-up effort, including assisting your neighbours," he said.
"The clean-up is ongoing and we ask for everyone's patience as we work through this recovery phase."
While Sutherland Leisure Centres suffered some damage in the storm, the council has completed remedial works and centres are now open as normal.
The council-operated Camellia Gardens is currently closed until further notice due to loss of power and fallen trees.
Council staff are also assessing potential damage to parks and open space, with Kiewa Place Reserve playground at Kirrawee closed until further notice, while remediation works are carried out on the shade sails.
"We have deployed operational staff and contractors to begin storm recovery activities and are thankful for the support of Georges River Council, who have also provided additional resources to assist our efforts," Cr Pesce said.
"I'd also like to thank the Police and NSW State Emergency Service for their continuing efforts in responding to hundreds of calls for assistance across our area."
The council issued the following advice:
- If storm damage is posing a risk to safety, residents are encouraged to contact NSW SES in the first instance on 132 500 or if it is life threatening, call 000.
- If you notice any type of fallen power lines assume they are live, stay away from them and call Ausgrid.
- If the damage involves a Council property or a tree in a public space, contact Council on 9710 0333 so we can assess and make safe.
- If the damage is to private property, please contact insurance providers.
For a map indicating areas where additional services will be provided (postcodes 2229 and 2228), visit bit.ly/GreenBinCollection
Residents looking for more information on how to prepare for storm, flood, fire or tsunami, who to call in an emergency or council's role in the emergency response, can visit: sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/EmergencyInformation