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).

Through Stream 1 of the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund, Coffs Harbour City Council has just been awarded a further $100,000.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan and State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh 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.

“Through Stream 1 of this program, Coffs Harbour City Council has just been awarded $100,000 to assist bushfire-affected communities,” Mr Conaghan said.

“This brings the total bushfire recovery funding Coffs Council has received from our State and Federal Nationals Coalition Governments to $1,545,000 because we want to see the communities affected by the devastating Black Summer Bushfires strengthened and supported.”

Mr Singh said a range of great community projects had so far been delivered for communities in the Orara Valley.

“Some great community events are being rolled out with support from our Governments and the community’s own fundraising efforts, such as the Christmas Market Day at Nana Glen Memorial Hall this Saturday,” he 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 and not-for-profits to apply by 11 December.”

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.

ENDS

Media Contacts:

Mr Littleproud – Douglas Ferguson 0455 448 985

Mr Conaghan – Liz Spry 0418 928 744

Mr Singh – 6652 6500