Joint media release

Community groups, councils and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for social recovery and disaster preparedness projects worth up to $300,000 through the joint Australian and NSW Government $25 million Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund (BCRRF).

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan and State Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said this is another opportunity for community groups and councils to lead a grass-roots recovery and deliver projects that boost community well-being and disaster resilience.

“Our State and Federal Nationals Coalition Governments have provided a range of support to our bushfire-affected communities as we want them to be able to build back better and be better prepared for future hazards,” he said.

“Bushfire support provided direct to councils to support their communities to date include $12,894,667 for Kempsey Shire Council; $5,161,667 for Nambucca Valley Council; and $1,370,000 for Bellingen Shire Council.

“I encourage community groups and councils to consider applying to this new grant round as these grass-roots projects can make a real difference in the social well-being of our communities.”

Ms Pavey said a range of great community projects had so far been delivered for communities in the Oxley electorate.

“Some great community events are being rolled out with support from our Governments and the community’s own fundraising efforts, such as the wonderful travelling bushfire reflection art exhibition in the Macleay,” she said.

“But there are a range of other projects which can be supported through Stream 2 of this grant funding such as education workshops about how to best prepare for future hazards, so I encourage community groups, not-for-profits and councils to pick up the pen once more and apply.”

Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said this fund would enable community-led, smaller recovery projects that would make a real difference to the local communities where they are delivered.

“This funding allows 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,” Mr Littleproud said.

“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. There is $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.”

For more information about the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund, including how to apply, visit the Resilience NSW website. Applications close at 12pm on 11 December 2020.

Also this week, the application period for grants under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, also co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, was extended until 28 January 2021. This fund opened to applications on 27 October. For more information visit the NSW Government website.

Media Contacts:

Mr Littleproud – Douglas Ferguson 0455 448 985

Mr Conaghan – Liz Spry 0418 928 744

Ms Pavey – Alice Burnet 0439 407 567