Bushfire and Flood Aid
Government funding to help flood victims and funding to help in the aftermath of the bushfires have been announced, including money for business support and money to plan for future disaster response.
Member for Hawkesbury, Robyn Preston MP, said over $1.5M will be provided to Hawkesbury City Council through Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments.
The projects funded are:
• $200,700 for the Hawkesbury Business Support and Resilience Program.
• $455,700 to construct a concrete footpath and cycleway on Bells Line of Road in Bilpin between the town centre, school and community hall.
• $368,547 for Hawkesbury Community Continuity Project which works with key stakeholders to plan for emergency responses for future disasters.
• $498,240 to create community advice and support service hubs.
Ms Preston said: “It’s been a tough time for Hawkesbury and these projects will support a community that is healing and wants to bounce back”. Bushfire Bushfire
Federal MP for Berowra Julian Leeser also announced a $400M recovery fund package to provide support for communities affected by the February and March 2021 storms and floods funded jointly by the Australian and NSW governments.
“The impact of the severe storms and flooding on our community and properties in Wisemans Ferry, Leets Vale, Lower Portland and Sackville North, in particular, has been significant, with damage to the oyster industry around Brooklyn as well as commercial fisherman who make their living from the Hawkesbury”, Mr Leeser said.
“This third phase of recovery support is in recognition and appreciation of the work involved to repair and rebuild these major public assets and infrastructure and will provide support for the local economy”.
$79.8m for the NSW Flood Industry Recovery Package: funding for the agriculture, aquaculture and horticulture industries to support immediate and longer-term recovery needs and retention of jobs for eligible producers and businesses. Bushfire
$25.2 million for $10,000 Rural Landholder Grants: grants of up to $10,000 to reimburse rural landholders for the cost of clean-up activities, losses or damages beyond the vicinity of the residential dwelling, not covered by insurance, and for rural landholders who do not qualify for the $75,000 primary producer grant or the $50,000 small business grant.
$18.5m for the restoration of riverbanks: assistance for private landowners, NSW Government Agencies and Councils to ensure post-flood remediation works on riverbanks can be done quickly, are appropriate and consistent with Government policy and regulations, will support the long-term health of the rivers, and protect assets and businesses.
The National Recovery and Resilience Agency is working with the NSW Government to finalise the details of the programs. People requiring ongoing flood assistance, support and referral should contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online via service.nsw.gov.au/floods
Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at Disasterassist.gov.au
