Federal Budget 2020: $2 billion for NSW Black Summer bushfire, drought victims

Billions of dollars worth of funding will be injected into bushfire and drought-ravaged communities across NSW. SEE HOW YOU COULD BE SUPPORTED UNDER THE BUDGET FUNDS.

Bushfire ravaged communities — and the volunteer fireys that fight to protect life and land — are set to receive a swathe of multimillion-dollar funding lifelines from the Federal Government.

On Tuesday night, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg issued a heartfelt response to communities devastated by “flood, drought, fires, and a global pandemic” as he revealed billions of dollars in funding for regional communities.

RFS volunteers will be supported through a tax-free payment. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

“In 2020, Australians have been tested like never before,” he said. “So many Australians, through no fault of their own, are doing it tough.

“Lives have been lost. businesses have closed. Jobs have gone.

“Our local heroes, the healthcare workers on the frontline, just as our volunteer firefighters did over summer, are showing us the way — their courage, commitment, and compassion reflects the very best of Australia. Tonight, a grateful nation gives thanks.”

Under the Federal Government’s funding commitments, a massive $2 billion in National Bushfire Recovery funding will be rolled out to “assist communities and businesses to recover and rebuild following the 2019-20 bushfires”.

The multibillion-dollar fund will see support to individuals and families, including tax-free payments of up to $6,000 to volunteer firefighters to provide for lost income, a back to school payment of $400 for each child and a massive $82.1 million for mental health support services for individuals, families and communities impacted by the bushfires.

NSW Rural Fire Service crews watch on as fire burns close to a property on Wheelbarrow Ridge at Colo Heights. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Small businesses and primary producers will be able to apply for grants of up to $75,000 for primary producers and up to $50,000 for small businesses and not-for-profit organisations, while concessional loads of up to $500,000 will also be available.

Mr Frydenberg also revealed grants of $10,000 to assist significantly impacted small businesses in the worst affected local government areas and $448.5 million as part of the Regional Bushfire Recovery and Development Program, to support delivery of local recovery plans.

A massive $88 million in funding will be allocated over twelve years for the creation of the National Research Centre for Disaster Resilience, which will deliver and scale up applied research to inform the country’s disaster recovery and resilience efforts.

A $11 million cash injection onto the National Aerial Firefighting Centre will also provide NSW Rural Fire Service with increased access to large air tankers to fight fires.

“The additional funding to the National Aerial Firefighting Centre will increase the length of existing lease arrangements and/or the number of contract opportunities available to aircraft owners/operators,” a Treasury official said in budget documents.

E Bushfire recovery on the NSW south coast has begun with the removal of what remained of homes burnt down by the New Year's Eve fires and some locals ready to begin the rebuilding process. Conjola Park locals Paul and Marilyn Schoonderwoerd lost their 6 bedroom home on Lake Conjola Entrance Rd and have started the foundational work for their rebuild.

The government will also provide an additional $2 billion over the next five years for a variety of measures to support farmers and communities in drought.

The package will fund immediate action for those in drought, support for wider communities affected by drought and measures to build long-term drought resilience and preparedness.

The new funding includes $2 billion in cash for drought-related loans, $75m for AgriStarter loans, and $50m over four years to administer these additional loans.

An additional $3.3 million will extend the one-off Farm Household Allowance (FHA) relief payment of $7500 for singles and $13,000 for couples to FHA recipients who exhaust their four year entitlement to payment, between July and September this year.

Les Jones is out of options and is ready to walk off his mixed farm near Gunnedah in the state's drought-ravaged north west NSW. Picture by Peter Lorimer. (Taken in March 2019)

Funding is also provided for local communities affected by the drought, including:

The package also includes $100 million in 2020-21 through the Future Drought Fund for programs and activities to support thelong-term drought resilience and preparedness of primary producers, rural and regional communities and local governments.

This package includes $86m over four years from 2020-21 through the Future Drought Fund to establish eight Drought Resilience and Adoption Hubs.

The hubs will support networks of researchers, farmers, agricultural business and community groups to enhance drought resilience practice, tools and technology.