Dolphin Sands Bushfire

Residents and property owners of impacted Dolphin Sands properties who haven't yet spoken with a pitt&sherry representative, or who have questions about the Program are encouraged to contact pitt&sherry:

Call: 0482 166 711 or 0488 227 427

Email: engagement@pittsh.com.au.

Factsheets

Dolphin Sands Clean-up Program

The Program is being undertaken in two stages. 

Stage one: environmental contamination and waste inspections of impacted properties 

• Identify immediate safety risks such as unstable structures, hazardous materials, and unsafe debris.
• Specialist testing for and identification of hazardous materials including asbestos, chemicals, and other dangerous substances. This may include soil-testing.  

These assessments are critical to inform a specific clean-up plan for each impacted property.  

This helps protect residents, workers, and the community. 

Stage two: property clean-ups by Batchelor Construction Group 

• Clean-up will be undertaken by contractors, Batchelor Construction Group, in line with each property’s specific clean-up plan.  

Property owners will be contacted for consent and to discuss details of the clean-up including what is and is not to be removed before clean up activities start.

In early December, approximately 116 properties were identified as being impacted from the bushfire by the Tasmania Fire Service. 

pitt&sherry has completed over 80 Environmental Contamination and Waste Inspections of Dolphin Sands properties where they had permission from property owners/residents.  

Following these inspections, pitt&sherry confirmed there were no critical environmental risks identified requiring immediate action.  

pitt&sherry have now provided property owners/residents with initial feedback on their own properties. 

Initial feedback notes fire-damaged and asbestos containing materials on some properties. These materials are low risk but must not be disturbed.  

They are classified as controlled waste under Tasmanian law and must be handled by qualified professionals. 

Air monitoring showed asbestos fibres were below detection limits during inspections, posing low risk as long as the asbestos containing material remain undisturbed.  

TasWater have set up a temporary drinking water station to support the community.

Where: 97 Maria Street, Swansea (next to the Swansea Waste Transfer Station)
What’s available: Safe drinking water for residents
Bring: Your own clean containers for water collection

This station will remain available until further notice.

The Repair and Restoration Grant is available for people in the bushfire affected area (Dolphin Sands) who have had to evacuate their primary place of residence following the bushfires that started on December 4.  

The grant offers up to $11,650 per household who have experienced substantial property damage and meet the following criteria:   

• Are low-income homeowners and occupiers of a principal place of residence in the Dolphin Sands area
• Do not hold liquid assets (cash, bank accounts, shares) over the value of $35,000 (this excludes principal place of residence, vehicles and personal effects)

For more information on eligibility and what the grant can/cannot be used for please download this factsheet:

To find out more and complete an application, go to: Community Grants - Service Tasmania

The Replacement of Household Items Grant is available for people in the bushfire affected area (Dolphin Sands) who have had to evacuate their primary place of residence following the bushfires that started on December 4.

The grant offers up to $11,650 per household for people who have experienced substantial loss of essential personal items and meet the following criteria:

• Are low-income homeowners and occupiers of a principal place of residence in the Dolphin Sands area
• Do not hold liquid assets (cash, bank accounts, shares) over the value of $35,000 (this excludes principal place of residence, vehicles and personal effects).

For more information on eligibility and what the grant can/cannot be used for please download this factsheet:

To find out more and complete an application, go to: Community Grants - Service Tasmania

The Temporary Living Expenses Grant is available for people in the bushfire affected area (Dolphin Sands) who have had to evacuate their primary place of residence following the bushfires that started on December 4.

The grant offers up to $11,650 per household for people who are unable to live in their primary place of residence and who also meet the following criteria:

• Are low-income homeowners and occupiers of a principal place of residence in the Dolphin Sands area.
• Do not hold liquid assets (cash, bank accounts, shares) over the value of $35,000 (this excludes principal place of residence, vehicles and personal effects).

For more information on eligibility and what the grant can/cannot be used for please download this factsheet:

To find out more and complete an application, go to: Community Grants - Service Tasmania

An Environmental Contamination and Waste Inspection aims to identify immediate safety risks, such as unstable structures, hazardous materials, and unsafe debris. Specialists also test for and identify hazardous materials, including asbestos, chemicals, and other dangerous substances, this may include soil-testing.  

From these assessments, pitt&sherry will develop a specific clean-up plan for each impacted property.  

This assessment helps protect residents, workers, and the community. 

No-one will access your property without your permission.

Environmental scientists and asbestos hygiene specialists from pitt&sherry inspected properties with damaged structures in Dolphin Sands, where owners provided permission.  

The inspections aimed to identify environmental contamination and waste hazards after the recent fire.  

We anticipate that your detailed Environmental Contamination and Waste Inspection report will be provided to you by mid-January.  

It will outline hazards found on your property (e.g. asbestos containing materials) and inform your property-specific clean-up plan.

Inspections were only conducted at properties with owner permission.  

If you gave permission, you’ll receive an initial summary of findings by 24 December 2025. Following further analysis and laboratory results, a detailed inspection report for your individual property will be provided to you by mid-January.  

Burnt structures, vehicles, likely environmental hazards (including asbestos), damaged off-grid battery storage, fuel/chemical storage, and septic systems.  

Trees/vegetation and tank water testing were not included in these inspections. 

Yes.

Please contact pitt&sherry to discuss your Dolphin Sands property: 

Call: 0482 166 711 or 0488 227 427
Email: engagement@pittsh.com.au 

Asbestos containing materials (ACM) and other hazards such as burnt structures, vehicles, off-grid battery storage, fuel and chemical storage, and septic systems. 

Ambient air monitoring showed asbestos fibres were below laboratory detection limits during inspections, posing low risk as long as the asbestos containing material remains undisturbed.  

Exposure is likely only if ashes or remnants of asbestos containing materials are actively disturbed. 

Do not disturb asbestos containing materials.  

Fire-damaged and asbestos containing materials is classified as controlled waste under Tasmanian law and must be handled by qualified professionals.  

During high winds: Stay indoors or wear masks, as wind can disturb ashes. 

Do not walk or drive on your septic system.

Most properties had actual or potential damage to septic systems, but no active leaks or overflow were reported.  

Further assessment by a qualified person is recommended.  

If you notice leaks outside normal overflow, stay clear, maintain hygiene, and report to engagement@pittsh.com.au

Be mindful of possible contamination of tank water.  

Refer to health advisories for guidance on safe use, flushing, and testing after bushfire.

The Environmental Contamination and Waste Inspections conducted by pitt&sherry confirmed there were no immediate safety risks identified.

Fire-damaged and asbestos containing materials were identified on some properties.

Results from ambient air monitoring for asbestos fibres were below laboratory detection limits during inspections. This means there is a low risk as long as the asbestos containing material remains undisturbed. Appropriate protective equipment should be worn when on site.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC) is leading the coordination of the clean-up and demolition of fire-affected properties. This work is supported by Glamorgan Spring Bay Council, the Environment Protection Authority, Department of State Growth, and qualified contractors. 

pitt&sherry have been engaged to undertake Environmental Contamination and Waste Inspections, and Batchelor Construction Group (BCG) for property clean-up.  
 
It will be a combined effort to plan the clean-up in safe and structured way, in the best interests of the community.   

The Dolphin Sands community has been significantly impacted by the recent bushfire which has created a large amount of fire debris and hazardous waste including remnants of buildings, vehicles and other infrastructure.

Support is being provided for impacted property owners by delivering a Clean-up Program, which will safely remove and dispose of hazardous waste.

There will be no cost to property owners or residents for the Dolphin Sands Clean-up Program.   

This assistance has been made under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).  

Yes. We anticipate that work will conclude around early May. This is based on the current schedule of works for consenting properties.

We will confirm the end date for the Program with property owners well in advance.

Risks to public safety, occupation status (e.g. primary places of residence) and logistical and operational factors (such as availability of specialist resources and equipment) will inform the scheduling of individual property clean-ups.

This scheduling will be coordinated by the State Government, with advice from pitt&sherry and Batchelor Construction Group.

Clean-up activity is being scheduled through consideration of a number of factors including the risks to public safety, occupation status (e.g. primary places of residence) and logistical and operational factors (such as availability of specialist resources and equipment).

Some sites may be deemed a higher risk than other sites and require urgent attention. Additionally, the limited availability of specialised asbestos removal contractors may mean that some lower risk sites are treated before all the higher risk sites are treated.

It is therefore important to note that it may take some time before your property clean up commences.

This does not mean your site will not be addressed. If you returned your consent deed to pitt&sherry, your property will be cleaned up as part of the program.

The Clean-up Program will include fire-damaged materials on your property that must be removed to make the site safe. These materials may be identified in the findings from your property assessment and may include: 

• All destroyed structures.
• Damaged/destroyed vehicles.
• Burnt or fire damaged material.
• Contaminated or potentially contaminated soils to a depth of 100 mm
• Footings and other underground elements of structures
• Septic tanks and/or waste treatment units

The Clean-up Program will include removing and disposing of fire-damaged materials on your property to make the site safe. In addition to standard demolition and excavation services, owing to the hazardous nature of the fire damaged materials, experts in the treatment of asbestos have been engaged to guide the cleanup of individual properties, monitor ambient conditions during cleanup and then certify that the property has been cleaned up fully and effectively.

The nature of the clean-up is complex. We anticipate that work will conclude around early May. This is based on the current schedule of works for consenting properties. It may take longer than this.

We will confirm the end date for the Program with property owners well in advance.

Scheduling of individual property clean-ups is being informed by risks to public safety, occupation status (e.g. primary places of residence) and logistical and operational factors (such as availability of specialist resources and equipment). 

We anticipate that works to clean up all fire impacted structures and debris will conclude around early May.

If you have not yet completed your consent deed and you wish to have your property cleaned up, it is important to complete and return your deed to pitt&sherry as soon as possible.

Individual property cleanups will be scheduled based on a number of factors including:

• Returned consent deed,
• Risks to public safety,
• Occupation status (e.g. primary places of residence),
• Logistical and operational considerations (such as availability of specialist resources and equipment).

Dolphin Sands is an environmentally protected area, so removal of any vegetation must be undertaken in accordance with all relevant legislation, policies and guidelines.

BCG will remove any fire-impacted trees or organic debris which pose a risk to the property users and/or the works being completed, including:

• Safe access for property owners and all personnel involved in the clean up;
• Safe working conditions for all personnel involved in the clean up;
• Other impediments to carrying out clean-up operations.

Fire-impacted trees and organic matter which has been stockpiled by participating property owners will also be removed and disposed of, if located in an area that is accessible by machinery suitable for this task.

You will need to complete a consent deed which gives BCG permission to access your property and remove fire impacted vegetation.

Glamorgan Spring Bay (GSB) Council has developed a FAQs document on what you can and cannot clear. Property owners should contact Council directly if they are unsure. GSB Council will not be removing any fire impacted vegetation.

Call: 03 6256 4777
Email: admin@freycinet.tas.gov.au

Removal of any vegetation must be undertaken in accordance with all relevant legislation, policies and guidelines.

BCG will remove any fire-impacted trees or organic debris which pose a risk to the property users and/or the works being completed, including:

• Safe access for property owners and all personnel involved in the clean up;
• Safe working conditions for all personnel involved in the clean up;
• Other impediments to carrying out clean-up operations.

Fire-impacted trees and organic matter which has been stockpiled by participating property owners will also be removed and disposed of, if located in an area that is accessible by machinery suitable for this task.

You will need to complete a consent deed which gives BCG permission to access your property and remove fire impacted vegetation.

Glamorgan Spring Bay (GSB) Council has developed a FAQs document on what you can and cannot clear. Property owners should contact Council directly if they are unsure. GSB Council will not be removing any fire impacted vegetation.

Call: 03 6256 4777
Email: admin@freycinet.tas.gov.au

Yes. Contractors are attending Dolphin Sands 2-3 days each week to remove green waste that has been stockpiled by property owners.

When you have finalised stockpiling your green waste, contact pitt&sherry to organise collection.

You will need to complete a consent deed which gives BCG permission to access your property and remove any green waste.

Call: 0482 166 711 or 0488 227 427
Email: engagement@pittsh.com.au

Green waste should be stockpiled inside property boundaries in an area close to the property entrance that is accessible by machinery suitable for this task.

Stockpiles do not need to be outside of the property in order for the contractors to access it.

You will need to complete a consent deed which gives BCG permission to access your property and remove any green waste.

Call: 0482 166 711 or 0488 227 427
Email: engagement@pittsh.com.au

Stockpiling green waste on verges/nature strips could become a hazard and result in a liability concern for Council.

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council will investigate whether an exception could be made possible for a limited time and for this specific purpose and provide advice to property owners.

It is the responsibility of the landowner to remove fire impacted vegetation that poses a safety risk.

Fire impacted vegetation on Crown or Council owned land will only be removed if it is identified as a safety risk.

Unnecessary removal of fire impacted vegetation can have environmental impacts, such as erosion, water run-off, and removal of habitats for wildlife.

Yes. Fire-impacted fencing material including wire and posts will be removed if they have been stockpiled by participating property owners and located in an area that is accessible by machinery suitable for this task.

You will need to complete a consent deed which gives BCG permission to access your property and remove damaged fencing.

Glamorgan Spring Bay Council will not be removing any fire impacted damaged fencing.

Gas bottles are designed to vent if they are exposed to extreme heat. Any gas bottles with signs of fire impact should therefore not be at risk of spontaneous venting once the fire has passed.

However, as with all fire impacted debris, residents are encouraged not to disturb them unnecessarily.

As part of the Clean-Up Program where consent has been provided, contractors will safely vent and remove gas bottles found on properties.

Damaged gas bottles will be disposed of and an arrangement has been established with Origin Energy to collect undamaged gas bottles. Residents/property owners are advised to contact their supplier to cease billing for disposed of gas bottles.

You will need to complete a consent deed which gives BCG permission to access your property and collect gas bottles for disposal or return to Origin Energy.

If you are concerned about any gas bottles on your property, you can arrange for them to be collected prior to other clean-up works commencing by contacting pitt&sherry.

Call: 0482 166 711 or 0488 227 427
Email: engagement@pittsh.com.au

Yes. When completing your consent deed for BCG to access your property, you can state any items you do not want removed.

Unless otherwise instructed, material which will be removed includes:

• All damaged/destroyed structures.
• Burnt or fire damaged material (such as water tanks, electricity infrastructure, vehicles, caravans etc.).
• Contaminated or potentially contaminated soils to a depth of 100mm.
• Footing and other underground structures.
• Septic tanks and/or waste treatment units.

No. As part of the clean-up program, you will need to complete a consent deed which gives Batchelor Construction Group permission to conduct clean-up activities on your property.

In the consent deed, you can say what items or areas you want excluded from the clean-up program.

For more information on the consent deed, contact pitt&sherry:

Call: 0482 166 711 or 0488 227 427
Email: engagement@pittsh.com.au

Unfortunately, no. Due to the contamination that occurs with fire damaged materials from heavy metals and from the amounts of asbestos found, decontamination and sorting of materials for recycling would be too costly and time consuming.

All material removed from properties is being taken to landfill at Copping.

No. The clean-up consent deed can be witnessed by an independent party to the consent deed (i.e. someone who doesn’t own the property) who is over the age of 18.

No. Clean-up will only proceed with resident/property owner permission.  

Yes, you can withdraw your consent at any stage in the clean-up program. No one will access your property without your permission.

Call: 0482 166 711 or 0488 227 427.
Email: engagement@pittsh.com.au

Your property may contain hazardous materials such as asbestos, batteries, fuels and chemicals, and damaged septic systems. There will also be heavy machinery moving on the site. These hazards could cause you physical harm which is why you are not allowed on site while the clean up is happening.

Additionally, materials such fire-damaged and asbestos containing materials are classified as controlled waste under Tasmanian law and must be handled by qualified professionals.

Batchelor Construction Group (BCG) has asbestos specialists guiding and undertaking the safe removal of asbestos from each property.

The clean-up program has been created to remove and dispose of hazardous material as a result of the Dolphin Sands Bushfire in December 2025. The program cannot give you any cash.

You will need to work with your insurance company to engage clean up activities.

If you have changed your mind and now want an Environmental Contamination and Waste Inspection, please contact pitt&sherry.

Call: 0482 166 711 or 0488 227 427.
Email: engagement@pittsh.com.au

There is also financial assistance available to eligible residents impacted by the Dolphin Sands Bushfire. Read the grants section of this page.

GSB Council must consider fairness to the whole municipality and the financial implications of free green waste disposal. Therefore, this decision would need to be considered by Elected Members.

This matter has been raised with the Acting CEO for consideration. In addition property owners can write to admin@freycinet.tas.gov.au to request that this is considered by Council.

Adjustments to council rates may apply to impacted properties. There is a standard process for this, which is currently underway.

The Office of the Valuer-General and Resilience and Recovery Tasmania are working together to assess any loss of property value due to bushfire damage. The Office of the Valuer-General may automatically adjust your property value, where appropriate.

You do not need to contact the Office of the Valuer-General. Property owners will receive a new valuation notice if an adjustment is made.

The Office of the Valuer-General will communicate these values to local councils and the State Revenue Office.

GSB Council are able to provide advice on the process when property owners are ready to rebuild.

Call: 03 6256 4777
Email: admin@freycinet.tas.gov.au

Different planning requirements and permits may be required for rebuilding, depending on what is being built. GSB Council will support property owners through this process.

Property owners can reach out to Council directly for advice regarding their individual properties when they are ready.

Call: 03 6256 4777
Email: admin@freycinet.tas.gov.au

While the current focus is on the Clean-up Program, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Glamorgan Spring Bay Council will continue to support the community in recovery.

This will include working with the community to determine what additional supports may be needed.

Yes, information is available to the community, including ratepayers, through a number of channels.

TasRECOVERY.com is the primary source of information on the Clean-Up Program and other recovery activities.

Glamorgan Spring Bay is providing information and updates to the community through the Dolphin Sands Community Association Facebook Group.

The Glamorgan Spring Bay Community Development Coordinator is also available at the office next to the Swansea Courthouse every Thursday 9am – 3pm.

If you decide to return to your property  

• Protect yourself before entering your property, by wearing:  

• long-sleeved clothing e.g. disposable overalls, 

• a P2 or N95 mask, 

• sturdy boots and gloves. 

• Avoid disturbing dust and ash. 

• Do not access burnt structures. 

• Do not attempt clean-up of burnt structures yourself.

• Avoid walking or driving over septic tanks.  

• Be mindful of possible water tank contamination. 

For information on safely returning to your property, please download this factsheet: Returning Home after a Bushfire 

Visit this website: Returning Home After a Bushfire | Tasmanian Department of Health 

Public Health Services can also be contacted as follows: 
Call: 1800 671 738 
Email: public.health@health.tas.gov.au