McCORMACK WELCOMES DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUNDING FOR COOTAMUNDRA-GUNDAGAI, WAGGA WAGGA AREAS

Riverina MP and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has welcomed the announcement that Cootamundra-Gundagai and Wagga Wagga councils have been added to the list of areas eligible for bushfire disaster funding support.

Funding through the Federal and New South Wales Governments’ jointly funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) means grants of up to $75,000 are now available for eligible primary producers and $50,000 for eligible small businesses in the Cootamundra-Gundagai and Wagga Wagga Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The two Riverina councils were part of an additional 16 LGAs in New South Wales to access the Federal-State recovery funding, bringing the total to more than $100 million.

Mr McCormack said the funding would be welcome relief for those affected by the bushfires.

“I have spoken with residents in the Oberne Creek area who were affected by the Dunns Road fire and assured them everything would be done to assist,” Mr McCormack said.

“The relevant Ministers in both the State and Federal Governments have been doing a power of work to ensure communities receive the support they need to recover from these horrific bushfires.

“I have visited many communities which have been impacted by these fires – I have seen first-hand the devastation caused. I know regional Australians are resilient but they also need to know the Federal Government will stand with them as they move to rebuild after this disaster.

“This funding can go towards repairing damaged equipment and fencing and replacing stock – it will help farmers and small businesses to get back on their feet.”

  • Assistance measures available under the DRFA may include:

  • Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged;

  • Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of restoring damaged essential public assets;

  • Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations;

  • Freight subsidies for primary producers; and

  • Grants to eligible non-profits organisations

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said up to an additional $23.05 million had been made available to extend the community recovery assistance program under the DRFA.

“$4.05 million will go to delivering mental health services for communities, volunteers and emergency services staff in these 16 new areas,” Minister Littleproud said.

New South Wales Deputy Premier and Minister Responsible for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said every primary producer or small business affected by the fires in NSW will receive the support they need.

“The NSW and Commonwealth governments are committed to supporting bushfire-affected communities and if we need to extend these community recovery measures to other areas we will do so,” Mr Barilaro said.

Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott said the full range of DRFA assistance was now available for the Cootamundra-Gundagai and Wagga Wagga LGAs.

“In addition to the funding for recovery grants and mental health support, $14 million is being provided for the NSW Bushfires Economic Recovery and Community Resilience Grants Program to deliver targeted assistance to community groups, local governments, industry groups and incorporated organisations for locally led recovery and resilience building activities. This includes $12 million for local government areas in south east NSW,” Minister Elliott said.

For further information, please contact the Bushfire Customer Care service on 13 77 88 or visit https:///www.service.nsw.gov.au.

For the latest information on the national bushfire recovery, please go to www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au.

Shane Manning