Laing O’Rourke’s bushfire clean-up program is gathering significant momentum, with over 500 properties already cleared.

As the clean-up program accelerates it is expected to inject approximately $180 million directly into local economies and will directly support 1,000 jobs, with the majority of these roles based in regional communities.

Laing O’Rourke clean-up Project Director Paul Barrie said,“providing opportunities for local contractors to be involved in the project is one really important way we can continue to help rebuild

local economies across the region. These contractors hire local workers, providing jobs and a boost to local economies.”

“Many of these local subcontractors worked incredibly hard fighting the devastating bushfires in their communities over the summer so the NSW Government and Laing O’Rourke are proud to be helping to support them through this clean-up and recovery.”

To help get money into these regional economies faster, Laing O’Rourke is using innovation to cut red tape and implement 7-day payment terms.

Mr Barrie said, “this is a big win for tradies, subcontractors and small business owners across regional NSW.”

“It means we’re getting more than $180 million into their hands faster so that they can spend it in their own communities and start to rebuild their local economies as quickly as possible.”

“So far, 85 contracts for work have been awarded, with 99% going to local or regional businesses.”

More than 1200 inspections have now been completed across the State, allowing Laing O’Rourke to hire more subcontractors to get the job done as quickly and safely as possible.

Currently, more than 150 properties are being cleared per week and this is set to rise to over 300 per week as the program accelerates.

In the coming weeks, Laing O’Rourke teams will be contacting registered property owners and commencing clean-up works in around 250 localities across the State. You may see teams working

in:

• North: More than 125 localities across the Armidale, Bellingen, Clarence Valley, Coffs

Harbour, Glen Innes, Kempsey, Kyogle, Mid Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings,

Richmond Valley. Tenterfield, Tweed and Walcha regions.

• Central: Over 50 localities across the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Mid-Western,

Queanbeyan-Palerang, Wingecaribee and Wollondilly regions.

• South: Over 80 localities across the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Greater Hume Shire,Shoalhaven, Snowy Monaro and Snowy Valleys regions.

To see the full list of localities where we will be working in the coming weeks, please visit: https://cleanup.lnbr.com.au.

Residents with questions about the clean-up process can contact Laing O’Rourke by calling 1800

007 539 or by emailing nswbushfirecleanup@laingorourke.com.au.

For further information about the bushfire clean-up program, or to register for the free clean-up, go to www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/register-opt-nsw-bushfire-clean.