- Additional council areas in Southern NSW to access Federal-State community recovery funding bringing the total support to more than $80 million.
- Recovery grants of up to $15,000 for farmers and small businesses
- Funding for additional mental health support and local led economic and community resilience initiatives
Community recovery assistance has been extended for bushfire-hit communities in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Shoalhaven, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Mid-Western council areas.
Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said up to $18.1 million in new money has been made available to extend community recovery assistance under the jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“This will give farmers and small businesses recovery grants of up to $15,000,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The money will help farmers and small businesses clean-up, repair damages and replace stock.
“Getting back to business is one of the best ways to recover.
“These recovery grants will help businesses reopen so people can get back to work sooner.
“When money flows around a community it can help to speed up the whole recovery.
“Mental health services will get a $4.5 million boost so they can support communities, volunteers and emergency services staff in these areas.
“This takes the total assistance provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to more than $80 million.
“The Federal Government will stand by these communities until they’re back on their feet and will make further assistance available as it is needed.”
Acting NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services Anthony Roberts said that there is a broad range of assistance available to bushfire affected communities.
“There is support for people who are suffering personal hardship; help for people whose homes have been damaged; and funding for firefighting operations and to restore damaged essential public assets,” Mr Roberts said.
“Importantly, the NSW and Commonwealth governments are not only committed to helping affected communities with their recovery but also making them more resilient to future disasters.
“That’s why we’ve allocated funding to support these communities by extending the NSW Bushfires Economic Recovery and Community Resilience Grants Program.
“If we need to extend these community recovery measures to other areas we will do so.”
The community recovery assistance program is being jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW governments through the DRFA.
To apply for a recovery grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.