Over 880 land managers across the South East have received a total of $8 million, to help rebuild over 1,600 kilometres of boundary fencing bordering public lands destroyed during last summer's bushfires.
Eligible land managers can still receive grants from the 'Supporting our Neighbours' program and are being urged to apply through Local Land Services (LLS), with applications closing on Wednesday, 31 March. 2021.
Photo: An example of some roadside fencing replaced with a grant from the Supporting Our Neighbours program
South East LLS General Manager Anthony Marshall said on average South East land managers are receiving about $9,000 through the program to help cover the cost of replacing boundary fencing.
"The road to recovery is long, but we're still here to help people rebuild and restock their properties after the devastating bushfires last summer," Mr Marshall said.
"Through this program, we can provide up $5,000 per kilometre to purchase materials to rebuild fire damaged boundary fences with your public lands neighbour.
"So far, we have been able to help fund more than 1,600 km of fencing across the South East, which is a great start, but it's important people continue to apply so they don't miss out.
"This is one of the easiest support packages you will come across as we have a team of dedicated fencing coordinators to walk applicants through the entire process."
Mark Walsh is a cattle and sheep producer at Pericoe and suffered extensive damage during last summer's bushfires, including 13km of boundary fencing bordering multiple public land managers.
Through the Supporting our Neighbours program, Mr Walsh received a $65,500 grant, which was a catalyst to act promptly and helped towards the cost of the replacement boundary fence.
"Dealing with so many public land managers, we didn't know where to start when rebuilding after the fires, but LLS made this application process so simple and easy," Mr Walsh said.
"The grant really kick started our recovery, giving us the opportunity and confidence to upgrade our boundaries with exclusion fencing, which we are already benefiting from.
"Even better, we were able to use local contractors, so all this money has gone straight back into the local economy."
Grants can be issued retrospectively to help cover the costs for those who have already replaced their fencing.
Applications close on March 31, 2021, with a dedicated team processing new applications as quickly as possible over the coming months. To find out if you are eligible and to apply, visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/fencing or call 1300 778 080.
