Bushfires have wiped out whole communities, with one in five people killed in one small town of 500 residents alone, including four families, mum, dad, the kids and pets.

With the death toll predicted to reach 300 and more than 1800 homes destroyed the nation is in shock. Donations have climbed to more than $50 million to help the homeless and traumatised start again amid the blackened, barren ground.

The Hills council is one of many councils promising practical help on a ``whatever-is- needed'' basis to re-build a shattered community. Councillors held one minute's silence at their meeting last week.

Councillor Justin Taunton said the general manager, Dave Walker, would be contacting one of the local communities to start planning.

``We can offer them our council staff, town planners, help with development applications, building infrastructure, playgrounds, schools, whatever they need,'' he said.

``We want to try and re-build the physical aspect of shattered lives and try and do something to get them back in there. This is a tragedy and we need to assist these people in these communities in whatever way we can.''

In addition to the council's initiative of adopting a community, it is also donating $10,000 to the appeal, like dozens of local groups, shops and service organisations.

The Mayor, Larry Bolitho said: ``The council likes to assist with re-building communities and the lives of the people of Victoria by making a cash donation to the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund established by the Federal and Victorian State Governments and co-ordinated by the Red Cross.''

``THE council has also set up an account to collect money on behalf of the Red Cross and members of the community can make a donation at the council's Customer Service Centres,'' he said.

``The courage and determination of all those directly affected by the fires is inspirational in the face of massive destruction and loss.

``Many survivors have lost everything.

``This is a time for the rest of the community to offer whatever assistance they can to these survivors and the families of victims.''

At an informal meeting late last week, council officers pledged to provide long-term support to victims, and not forget them as the weeks and months go by.