Communities in bushfire affected areas in regional NSW will benefit from a range of new community infrastructure and industry projects which have been funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud today said 71 community infrastructure and industry bushfire recovery projects will receive more than $177 million through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund.
"We know that recovery is not only an individual journey, but a community and business journey," Minister Littleproud said.
"Getting our regional industries and communities back on their feet will be a vital economic driver in bushfire affected regions.
"Having places to come together, attractions for visitors, improvements to local infrastructure and support for key local industries were identified as priorities for communities and we have listened.
"Importantly, these joint federal and state investments are a sign of our strong confidence in these communities and their long-term futures.
"This BLER investment will ensure businesses keep employing locals, keep spending locally and allow them to play an important role in local economic recovery.
"The funding will provide an injection of local economic stimulus to support work for locals in fire affected regions, with jobs created both during and post construction.
"Projects announced today will also provide social benefits for community members in the years to come, supporting tourism, community sports and providing essential amenity, or increasing preparedness to future bushfires. All of these things play a part in recovery."
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the funding will go a long way towards boosting local economies and creating jobs in areas that are recovering from bushfires.
"The NSW Government remains committed to helping our regional communities recover after the tragic bushfires and this funding is the next step in helping people in bushfire affected communities get back on their feet," Mr Barilaro said.
"While the physical environment in many bushfire regions is starting to show signs of repairing, jobs and infrastructure must follow which is why we are funding these important community projects.
"As we push our way forward towards economic recovery, regional NSW will play a large role in stimulating our nation's economy so our focus is on improving essential community infrastructure and industry development.
"This funding will put people back in work and deliver a variety of shovel-ready projects and programs that will make a genuine difference to the lives of people living in regional communities.
"Communities are also encouraged to apply for the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery fund which opened this week."
Successful priority projects include, Walcha swimming pool, Macleay Valley Skydiving Adventure Park, a connected green space at Farmers Creek near Lithgow and an upgrade to Armidale and Guyra Livestock Selling Centre.
Overall, more than $500 million has been set aside by the Australian and New South Wales governments to support projects that drive local economic, community and industry recovery in parts of New South Wales hit hard by the 2019-20 bushfires. This joint funding is being delivered in two ways:
- Known priority, community and industry recovery projects such as the 71 projects identified by the NSW Government and agreed to by the Commonwealth Government, following local and industry consultation
- Applications opened 27 October for project funding under the $250 million Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. Communities are encouraged to apply for grants of between $200,000 and $20 million. Grants are open to organisations such as councils, Joint Organisations of Councils, not-for-profit organisations, business chambers, industry associations and charities, research or academic oranisations, State Government Corporations and Local Aboriginal Land Councils to deliver successful projects. For more information, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/blerfund
Details on the community infrastructure and industry projects will be available on the National Bushfire Recovery Agency website: www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au
