MORE FUNDING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS RECOVERING FROM BUSHFIRES
The National Bushfire Recovery Agency today announced an additional $17m for Local Government Areas (LGAs) impacted by the Black Summer bushfires.
The funding will be provided to 60 LGAs that were activated for Category C assistance as of 24 January 2020 under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
It is in addition to the initial distribution of $1m to severely impacted councils in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland announced by the Prime Minister on 9 January 2020.
"Minister Littleproud has listened to the Agency's advice on the funding and its allocation and moved quickly to agree the $17m to assist councils in the recovery effort," said Mr Colvin, National Bushfire Recovery Coordinator.
"In determining allocations to LGAs my agency took into account a range of information including population, the volume of disaster recovery payments already received, the proportion of land area burnt and social economic factors of the LGA," said Mr Colvin.
All councils have been informed of their funding which will range from $200,000 to $416,667.
It is expected that LGAs will use the funding to deal with re-fencing; rebuilding damaged or destroyed council assets such as key local roads, bridges, and community facilities; and hosting activities and events to bring communities together.
