Bushfires: regions to get $650m

Bushfire-ravaged towns will get specially-catered support via local economic recovery plans as part of a new $650m package from the federal government.

The Green Wattle Creek fire, southwest of Sydney, in December. Picture: The New York Times

Bushfire-ravaged towns will get specially catered support via local economic recovery plans as part of a new $650m package from the federal government.

The new funding, to be announced on Monday, will give bushfire-affected communities their share of $448.5m to support the delivery of local recovery plans, with priority given to the most severely impacted regions.

Many regions were not only devastated by the bushfires, with homes and businesses razed, but have now also suffered more economic pain as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Scott Morrison said the National Bushfire Recovery Agency would assist in driving strong economic recovery so the more than 18,600 families and businesses in bushfire-affected areas could “get back on their feet”.

“The same communities that were hurting most from the bushfires are hurting from the impacts of COVID-19 and the impacts have been devastating,” the Prime Minister said.

“This funding injection comes as the damage from the bushfires has made itself clear in the weeks and months after they passed and regions have been finalising the sorts of projects they want to get under way to build back better. Every community is different and every community is at a different point in their recovery. That’s why the projects that these funds will support are not one-size-fits-all. They will reflect community needs. The support will back local projects and recovery plans, in specific areas, as well as initiatives that benefit all bushfire-­affected communities.”

The projects will include workshops and events that bolster community capability and wellbeing, land and water development, replacing produce and stock, supporting local jobs and building future resilience.

Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud said the funding allowed for “locally-led recovery” rather than “Canberra-led recovery”.

“We’re working side-by-side with families, small businesses, primary producers and the tourism sector to deliver a well-thought-out economic recovery as quickly as possible,” Mr Littleproud said.

“We know and have seen first-hand just how severe the impact from the bushfires and now COVID-19 has been. The past six months have been incredibly tough for so many Australians. To date, the efforts of every level of government have been focused on emergency ­relief, the restoration of basic services, clean-up operations and the immediate wellbeing needs of people in the most severely impacted communities.

“While we recognise not all communities are at the same point of recovery, some communities are starting to consider longer-term planning. We are here to support them with ­opportunities to rebuild.”

Mr Littleproud said the ass­istance came on top of more than $1.33bn rolling into bushfire- ­affected communities.

“We’re also stepping in to help regenerate Australia’s wildlife and habitats, better prepare our telco network for future emergencies, boost mental health support and help our ­forestry industry salvage their products,” Mr Littleproud said.