Black Summer bushfire relief: From Nowra to the border $58.9m allocated for projects

More than $58 million will be spent on the south coast as the recipients of the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grants are announced, from new emergency facilities to heritage projects.

More than $58 million will be spent on new infrastructure and community projects on the south coast as the long-awaited Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grants program begins.

The $390 million Federal Government project aims at bolstering social and economic development in areas devastated by the 2019-2020 bushfires.

On the south coast, 51 projects will receive a cash windfall after the successful applicants were announced on Tuesday, ranging from emergency service and lifesaving upgrades to new community precincts.

Bega Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick welcomed the grants, stating they would provide a much-needed boost to disaster-hit businesses and communities in the shire.

“Two years on from the Black Summer bushfires there is still much to be done to help our communities recover and build more long-term strength and resilience,” Cr Fitzpatrick said.

“This funding will go a long way to addressing social and economic recovery and resilience across the shire, as well as improving the sustainability of key community infrastructure.”

Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said the grants have been a long time coming, but will go a long way to helping the region’s recovery and resilience efforts.

“This is the announcement we’ve been waiting for,” he said.

“These are great outcomes for disaster preparedness in our shire,” Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said.

“An injection of cash to find land for the now-funded emergency services precinct means that project can get up and running.

“And, Moruya Showground, home for thousands of evacuees during the fires, will get a much-needed new amenities and canteen building.

“These are great outcomes for disaster preparedness in our shire.”

Find some of the region’s biggest projects below:

Water Catchment and Sanitation Project – Bega Valley Shire

More than a dozen families in the Bega Valley Shire will receive water and sanitation pods.

The 14 families whose homes were destroyed in the Black Summer fires are still living in temporary accommodation, according to the Bega Valley Shire council.

In partnership with the Pambula Rotary, Social Justice Advocates, and Connecting Communities Australia, the council plans to replace the basic water and sanitations systems already in place.

87-year-old Eugen "Ike" Mjadwesch during a walk around of the remains of their property in the township of Dargan, New South Wales, Monday, 23 December 2019. The township of Dargan, north of the Blue Mountains, up to 17 homes have burned to the ground and almost half the total number of houses in the town. Picture: Sam Mooy/The Australian Newspaper

The project has received $707, 209 from the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery program.

Old Bega Hospital Community Cultural Centre – Bega Valley

The Old Bega Hospital Community Cultural Centre has received more than $1.5 million from the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery program, adding to the $3.5m funding the project had previously secured.

The collection of heritage listed buildings is located on the outskirts of Bega, and served the community of the Bega Valley as area’s main hospital from 1889 until 1956.

Tragically, the main building was destroyed in a fire in May, 2004.

The funds will be used to fully reconstruct the main building.

The Old Bega Hospital Community Cultural Centre will benefit from $390 million Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grants program.

Organisers said the project will be split into three stages, with tenders for the first stage of construction to be released soon.

The project received $1,551,085.00.

Investing in Rural Community Futures – Bega Valley

The Bega Valley Shire Council is partnering with the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation to build and support not-for-profit groups in the area.

The project is aimed at maximising the impact of charity works in the region as they support recovery efforts following the Black Summer bushfires.

The program will receive $1,310,246 from the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grant project.

Batemans Bay SES centre was destroyed by Black Summer bushfires

Reconstruction of Batemans Bay SES facility – Eurobodalla

Emergency response in Batemans Bay was hampered by the destruction of the Batemans Bay SES facility in the Black Summer bushfires.

The facility will now be rebuilt with $628,000 from the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grants.

An additional $200,000 has been provided by the NSW Government, on top of the $1.6 million allocated to construction by the Eurobodalla Shire Council.

The new headquarters is slated to be built adjacent to the NSW Ambulance station in Surf Beach.

Regional Co-located Emergency Services Precinct – Eurobodalla

In February, the NSW Government committed $15 million for a co-located emergency operations precinct in Moruya, with NSW Labor committing another $25 million.

The emergency hub will now receive another $200,00 from the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grants program.

The project promises to co-align different emergency response units in the region, including the NSW RFS, as well as NSW Ambulance and police services.

"We need to do it once, and do it right," Labor leader Anthony Albanese said after announcing $25 for a new Emergency Operations Precinct in Moruya. Outside Moruya RFS Hall with NSW Labor leader Chris Minns, left, and Labor candidate for Bega, Michael Holland, right, January 27, 2022. Photo: Nathan Schmidt

The new funds will be used to engage NSW Public Works Advisory to find a suitable location for the precinct, according to the Eurobodalla Shire Council.

Moruya Showground canteen building replacement – Eurobodalla

The existing Moruya Showground canteen and separate toilet blocks will be demolished in order to make way for a single new facility, according to the Eurobodalla Shire Council.

The project has received $902,000 in funding from the Black Summer Bushfire Relief grants project, which will fully fund construction.

The nearby heritage shed and original showground secretary’s office will be relocated as part of the project.

The new facility will be vital when the showground is next used as an evacuation centre. the council said.

Nowra Mountain Bike Network Upgrade – Shoalhaven

A raft of new mountain bike trails have already been laid across the south coast, including in Mogo, Narooma, and Eden, thanks to previous State Government grant releases.

Now, the Nowra trails will have their turn to receive a boost after an investment of $549,132 from the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery grants was announced.

The South Coast United Mountainbikers submitted the application.

The region-wide mountain biking group will oversee enhancements to the trails.

The full list of projects is below:

Bega Valley

• Water Catchment and Sanitation Project – $707,029.00
• Old Bega Hospital Community Cultural Centre – $1,551,085.00
• The Refurbishment of the Marine Rescue Bermagui Base – $45,272.00
• Cobargo Community Energy Project – $814,044.00
• Stronger Communities – $746,388.00
• Sapphire Coast Oyster Industry – Road to Recovery, Stability and Growth – $299,295.00
• Improvements to the Showground Main Pavilion and Precinct -W $181,611.00
• Evacuation Centre Emergency Power Generator – $468,120.00
• The replacement of the Tathra Bowling Club‘s roof – $171,547.00
• Snug Cove Wharf Hospitality Project – $685,000.00

Four-year-old Narooma Mountain Bike rider Korben Breust, left, with father Bryan Breust. Photo: Narooma Mountain Bike Club

• Enhancement of Evacuation Facilities for Bermagui Surf Life Saving Club – $105,775.00
• Cobargo RSL Memorial Hall Redevelopment – $972,759.00
• Bega Valley Accelerated Recovery Through Targeted Resourcing – $757,278.00
• Bega Aboriginal Land: Protect Settlements, Build Self-Reliance & Enterprise – $196,308.00
• Emergency Accommodation – $120,600.00
• Investing in Rural Community Futures Bega – Resilience, Connection & Place – $1,310,246.00
• Twofold Aboriginal Corporation Cultural and Skills Training Centre – $248,719.00
• Cobargo Preschool Hub for Resilience – $255,537.00
• Bermagui Country Club Accessibility for All – $298,630.00
• Bega Valley – Disaster Relief Australia Community Recovery Project – $478,669.00
• Mumbulla Foundation Community Grants Program – $100,000.00

Eurobodalla

• After the Fires Stage 2- $31,442
• Supporting Resilience & Wellbeing of Eurobodalla children – $1,452,966
• Culturally safe resilience, wellbeing & psychological services – $293,724
• Upgrade of the Moruya Showground Kitchen – $40,000
• The purchase and instalment of a PR Power Diesel Generator Set – $83,116
• Regional Co-located Emergency Services Precinct – $200,000
• Moruya Showground Canteen Building Renewal – $902,000
• Eurobodalla: Regenerate Regional Leadership Program – $461,563

The bush land behind Mogo destroyed in the Black Summer bushfires. Picture: Toby Zerna

• Community Hub, Sports and Recreation Centre – $6,157,847
• Reconstruction of the SES Batemans Bay facility – $628,050
• Mogo Community Recreation Hub – $999,000
• Bushfire and Heatwave Refuge CWA Moruya – $82,486
• Upgrade the bushfire /refuge capacity of the existing building – $51,683
• Tuross Valley Rebuild and Recovery Project – $796,218
• Bushfire Recovery Outreach Homelessness Support (BROHS) Program – $783,700

Shoalhaven

• The upgrade and future proofing of Nowra’s Mountain Bike Trail Network – $549,132.00
• Conjola Park Foreshore Recovery – $615,000.00
• Five Villages Community Garden – Yulunga Reserve Manyana – $125,718.00
• Taking Control – A Journey of Self Care – $209,124.00
• Strengthening capacity, co-operation & resilience of Shoalhaven’s local NFPs – $1,369,800.00
• Stronger Communities – $697,881.00
• Replacement Rescue Vessel for Marine Rescue Kioloa – $298,815.00
• Rebuilding, Uniting & Empowering Resilient Community Groups & Volunteers – $211,063.00

RSPCA Animal attendant Tess Brasington-Dekel with a household cat at the RSPCA animal shelter in Yagoona, New South Wales, Thursday, 2 January 2020. The RSPCA has been responsible for housing smoke affected animals due to recent bushfires in New South Wales. Picture - Sam Mooy/The Australian

• ReGrow, ReNEW, ReDISCOVER and ReUNITE Outdoor Learning and Healing Space – $205,000.00
• Upgrade of Identified Emergency Animal Refuge – $58,165.00
• Developing systems and capacities to protect animals in catastrophic fires – $800,142.00
• Nukka – Jerrinja Aboriginal Bushfire Recovery Land Management Enterprise – $1,497,419.00
• Danjera Dam Camping Ground and Recreational Area – $1,442,000.00
• RHVA Resilience & Capacity Building – $1,426,800.00
• Millhouse Art Society Using Creativity to Build Resilience – $82,695.00