Media Releases

Shelley Hancock – Minister for Local Government

Thursday, 9 January 2020

The NSW Government is partnering with the Commonwealth to immediately distribute $33 million to Councils across the State who have been severely impacted by bushfires.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock has guaranteed that the State Government will distribute funds to Councils within one business day following it clearing the State’s bank account.

“We will not delay in distributing these funds to Councils most in need,” Mrs Hancock said. Each Council will receive $1 million and a further $18 million will be distributed at the discretion of the new National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

“This funding is essential and will allow Councils to start the reconstruction of local infrastructure, including roads, bridges and community facilities.

“Councils will also be able to use these funds to employ additional local staff to help coordinate and expedite the building effort.

“The Government will stand by affected communities over the long haul, ensuring all affected receive the support they need.”

In addition to this funding, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet today announced $1 billion over the next two years to rebuild bushfire impacted communities across NSW.

The additional funding will prioritise the repair and rebuilding of vital infrastructure, such as roads, rail-lines, bridges, schools, health facilities and communications facilities, which have been damaged or destroyed by bushfires.

The Government has also already committed up to $231 million disaster assistance funding for this bushfire season.

This includes;

• $166 million to fight fires on top of the record 2019/20 RFS Budget
• $25 million to facilitate the clean-up of both insured and uninsured homes damaged or destroyed by the fires
• $23 million for grants of up to $15,000 for primary producers and small businesses to assist with clean-up and the replacement of infrastructure
• $6 million for additional mental health services for individuals, community groups and emergency services personnel
• $11 million to fund the Economic Recovery and Community Resilience Grants Program.

Further, the NSW Government, in partnership with the City of Sydney, Sydney Resilience Office and Local Government NSW, has also established a Local Government Bushfire

Recovery Support Group to assist council disaster recovery and support operations in local communities.
NSW Councils to receive assistance include:

• Armidale,  Ballina, Bega Valley, Bellingen, Blue Mountains, Byron, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Eurobodalla, Glenn Innes Severn,  Hawkesbury, Kempsey, Kyogle,  Lismore , Lithgow, Mid-Coast, Mid-Western, Nambucca, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Richmond Valley, Shoalhaven, Singleton, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Tenterfield, Tweed, Walcha, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly

MEDIA: Nicholas Story | Minister Hancock | 0438 255 020