Lake Macquarie City Council has welcomed Tuesday's natural disaster declaration for the Lake Macquarie LGA.
Mayor Adam Shultz said the declaration by the Australian Government and NSW Government opened channels for Federal and State funding to support Council, residents and community organisations affected by the fire that broke out in Redhead on Saturday evening and swept towards Dudley.
"We are grateful to the Albanese and Minns Governments for supporting the Lake Macquarie community during this time of need," he said.
"From Council's perspective, it may mean we can access financial assistance covering the cost to reopen the Fernleigh Track."
The Fernleigh Track between Whitebridge and Redhead remains closed due to the threat of badly burnt trees falling across the shared path without notice.
At least a dozen trees, some of which are large eucalypts, will need to be removed before that stretch of the track can reopen.
Mayor Adam said the natural disaster declaration meant the Australian Government would also provide financial support to emergency service organisations involved in the firefighting efforts over the weekend and into this week.
The bush fire has burnt through more than 90ha of land between Redhead, Dudley and Whitebridge, coming within metres of homes and a nursing home at Redhead.
Lake Macquarie joins six other LGAs across NSW declared natural disaster zones, including the Central Coast, Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook.
