Grants of $250,000 will be made available to Tenterfield, Glen Innes Severn, Armidale Regional and Walcha local government areas in the New England under Phase 2 of the NSW Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund (BCRRF).
Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said funding was being provided through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
He called on local councils and community organisations to apply for a share of the grants.
“Bushfires are a destructive but unavoidable threat we face in rural Australia and while we can’t stop them altogether, we can better manage and prepare for when they do occur,” Mr Joyce said.
“Local non-government organisations and community groups in the Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Armidale and Walcha regions should consider this fund and the support it can provide them to assist our communities.
“If your organisation has a good idea that you think will help our community to get back on its feet, I encourage you to apply because a more resilient New England is a stronger New England.”
The Fund is split into two streams:
• Stream 1 - Eligible councils have been contacted directly regarding this stream, which provides funding for shorter-term projects within high and moderate social impacted local councils. Payments of $250,000 or $100,000 are available to these eligible councils. Applications close Tuesday 27 October 2020.
• Stream 2 - is aimed at delivering a competitive grants program to the broader community in bushfire-affected areas including councils, community groups, joint organisations, NGOs and not-for-profits. It is for social recovery and preparedness projects between $20,000 and $300,000. Applications close Tuesday 10 November 2020.
David Littleproud, Minister for Drought and Emergency Management said that the fund was a further support to NSW communities who have had a tough year.
“The Australian Government continues its commitment to NSW communities on their journey to recovery. Bushfire impacted communities have displayed the most amazing resilience to firstly withstand the onslaught of the Black Summer bushfires and secondly to work so hard to rebuild their lives from it,” said Minister Littleproud.
Funding for the BCRRF is administered by Resilience NSW. It is in addition to measures supported through the National Bushfire Recovery Fund including Local Economic Recovery funding. Further details are available at Resilience NSW.
(ENDS)