Joint Australian and NSW Government disaster funding is being rolled out to Tenterfield Shire Council under Stream 1 of the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund (BCRRF), which helps councils promote community well-being, social and future disaster resilience.
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said Tenterfield will receive a $250,000 payment under BCRRF Stream 1.
“This funding will be great benefit for the Tenterfield area, funding a community grants program and the upgrade of the Soldier Memorial Hall for use as an evacuation centre during disasters,” Mr Joyce said.
“It builds on millions of dollars of additional Australian Government investment in drought and bushfire recovery stimulus funding in the Tenterfield Shire.
“Our local fire affected communities have distinct sets of circumstances and recovery needs, so it’s great to see money directed at the things that matter in Tenterfield.”
Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud said this funding will allow councils to invest in smaller projects that will directly benefit recovery efforts and help communities across NSW recover in their own way and is delivered under long standing joint Australian and state funding arrangements.
“We are continuing to work closely with state governments and councils to ensure that funding is available for a range of recovery projects which are identified and delivered at the local and community level. This direct funding to councils is in addition to $25 million set aside for community led projects under Stream 2 of the BCRRF program as well as funding support provided through the National Bushfire Recovery Fund,” Minister Littleproud said.
The BCRRF is split into two streams:
• Stream 1 provides councils funding for shorter-term projects in impacted local government areas including council-led small-scale community grants programs. Payments of $100,000 or $250,000 are available to councils that have been moderately and highly impacted by the bushfires.
• Stream 2 will provide grants to bushfire affected regions, and will be open to community groups, councils and not-for-profits for social recovery and preparedness projects between $20,000 and $300,000. Grants will be assessed at a regional level using Regional Panels to maximise the recovery support to communities across local government boundaries Applications for Stream 2 grants close 12pm today.
(ENDS)