A $448.5 million Regional Bushfire Recovery and Development Program will provide additional funding to assist bushfire recovery.
The program is being funded as part of a $650 million package for impacted communities announced by the Federal Government on Monday. The package is included under the Australian Government’s $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund.
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said this funding is supporting local projects and recovery plans.
“Strong economic recovery will enable families and businesses to get back on their feet sooner and rebuild their lives,” Mr Hogan said.
“This program is an opportunity for the community to share ideas and projects with the National Bushfire Recovery Agency.”
“State Government will work with Local Government to roll-out support as quickly as possible. It is important everyone has a voice in the recovery process.”
“This funding will support our community to build back better.”
Projects and initiatives will be tailored using local knowledge.
They could range from initiatives that promote economic activity and support community wellbeing, to projects that focus on the landscape and water, replacing produce and stock, or building future resilience.
The $650 million package also includes:
$15 million to assist the forestry industry with the increased costs of transporting burned salvaged logs over longer distances to surviving timber mills or storage sites in bushfire affected areas in Victoria and New South Wales.
$13.5 million for community wellbeing and participation, backing Primary Health Networks with additional funding to provide critical, localised support for bushfire affected individuals to ensure their emotional and mental wellbeing.
$149.7 million for bushfire recovery related to species and landscapes such as habitat regeneration, waterway and catchment restoration including erosion control, weed and pest management.
$27.1 million for strengthening telecommunications capabilities before the next bushfire season including the deployment of approximately 2000 satellite phones to rural fire depots and evacuation centres.
Further details are available on the National Bushfire Recovery Agency website at www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au