Hawkesbury Bushfire Recovery Projects Receive Over $1.5M Boost

Hawkesbury has had more than its fair share of hardship over the past two years, but a critical financial boost to its bushfire recovery projects provides a ray of hope.

Hawkesbury City Council will receive over $1.5M through stage two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.

Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Patrick Conolly said the Hawkesbury was a resilient, connected community and that Council was committed to continuing to support individuals, families and businesses every step of the way.

“The 2019-20 bushfires had a profound physical and emotional impact on the Hawkesbury community, particularly around Bilpin, Colo Heights and the Macdonald Valley,” Cr Conolly said.

“Our communities have shown remarkable resilience in bouncing back, as they always do. This funding is an opportunity to do something special for residents that will have a lasting positive impact on their lives and will give them the confidence that they are better prepared than ever for bushfires in their communities.”

Cr Conolly encouraged community members to visit yourhawkesbury-yoursay.com.au or follow Council’s facebook page for regular updates on the projects.

$200,700 - Hawkesbury Business Support and Resilience Program.

$455,700 - construction of a concrete footpath and cycleway on Bells Line of Road in Bilpin, between the town centre, school and community hall.

$368,547 - Hawkesbury Community Continuity Project which works with key stakeholders to plan for emergency responses for future disasters.

$498,240 - creation of community advice and support service hubs.

All four community-led projects aim to boost resilience and emergency preparedness.

Member for Hawkesbury, Robyn Preston MP said the funding would enable projects that would deliver important infrastructure improvements, industry and business development and social and community outcomes.

“It’s been a tough time for Hawkesbury and these projects will support a community that is healing and wants to bounce back,” Ms Preston said.

More than 650 applications were received from 47 LGAs impacted by the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires in NSW, requesting a total of $1.6 billion - more than six times the original funding available.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Disaster Recovery, John Barilaro MP, said the diverse nature of the stage two Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund projects was driven by the specific recovery needs of each community and guided by locally led applications.

“One year has passed since we cleared 3600 properties damaged or destroyed by the Black Summer bushfires and we are continuing to deliver the support that Hawkesbury needs to keep moving forward in recovery,” Mr Barilaro said.

“People are rebuilding their lives and we are backing projects that will bring communities together, support tourism, provide improved or new social amenity and increased preparedness to future bushfires. All of these things play a part in recovery.”

The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package is one part of the $4.5 billion overarching bushfire support program co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments for bushfire recovery, response and preparedness in NSW.

• Topics:

• Bush Fires
• Grant / Funding