SOME 70 Blue Mountains families who lost everything in the October bushfires are on track to have their blocks cleared, ready for rebuilding, just in time for Christmas.
NSW Services Minister Andrew Constance on Thursday night fronted residents who lost their homes seven weeks ago when flames ripped through bushland communities west of Sydney, promising 60 blocks will be cleared by late January.
But he told AAP the clearing operation could come earlier - December 23 - for about 70 NRMA-insured families.
Local councillor and teacher Brendan Luchetti says for those residents who lost their homes, a fresh start is "the Christmas present they really want".
More than 200 homes were lost in the fires, but locals say despite promises of a speedy response from government at the height of the fire emergency, not a single block has yet been cleared.
Mayor Mark Greenhill wants an apology from the O'Farrell government, which has been negotiating with insurers.
He says the government could have moved faster by engaging a single contractor to clear up fire-affected properties and reconciling costs with insurers later.
"It's a hodge-podge, piecemeal approach," he told AAP.
"I think possibly there was a bit of penny-pinching going on; looking for a cheaper option, rather than the faster option."
Mr Constance, who on Monday was handed oversight of the Blue Mountains clean-up, which is being coordinated by ex-Rural Fire Service boss Phil Koperberg, acknowledged locals were hurting.
"Obviously I'm very sorry that the delays occurred," Mr Constance told AAP.
"My hope is now that we are moving through and I'm optimistic that we will see this progress incredibly quickly."
There were emotional scenes as locals spoke of their distress at waiting for burned-out homes to be cleared away.
"I'm one of the ones where people say, 'You're one of the lucky ones', because my house is still standing," Winmalee resident Fran Elston said.
"I don't feel like I'm one of the lucky ones ...
"Seven weeks is a long time when you have lost everything.
"Seven weeks is a long time when I hate walking out the front door, because all I see is ash."
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