Central Coast residents and businesses will be invited to participate in new initiatives that boost community and economic resilience, thanks to funding from the Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch said Central Coast Council will receive $100,000 to implement ‘Front Yard Fridays’ and the ‘Buy Local’ campaign.
“Bushfire recovery remains front of mind for the NSW Government, which is why Central Coast Council is receiving $100,000 to provide support tailored to our region’s needs,” Mr Crouch said.
“Council will introduce ‘Front Yard Fridays’ in the bushfire-affected suburbs of Mangrove Mountain, Spencer and Blue Haven. Residents will be encouraged to meet, gather, share a meal and listen to an expert speak about community resilience.
“A ‘Buy Local’ marketing campaign will also be introduced to encourage Central Coast residents to buy from suppliers impacted by the bushfires and ongoing drought conditions.”
Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks welcomed the NSW Government announcement.
“Recent NSW Government funding in conjunction with the $1 million in urgent funding the Federal Government provided Central Coast Council back in January 2020, means locals can rebuild what’s important to those in our bushfire-hit communities,” Ms Wicks said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the NSW Government is working with councils directly impacted by bushfire to deliver targeted assistance that will speed up the recovery process and help to get local economies back on track.
“Councils know what their communities need to recover, rebuild and become more resilient, which is why we have been working directly with them to get projects approved quickly, get money out the door and get them up and running,” Mr Barilaro said.
Central Coast Council Mayor Lisa Matthews said the funding is a good example of how all three levels of government can work together to help communities recover from a crisis.
“We welcome this boost to our community and are focusing on providing projects that benefit both those who were directly impacted by fires raging on their doorsteps and also the wider community which faced weeks of smoke, economic loss and uncertainty,” Mayor Matthews said.
“An important part of our resilience building is creating a ‘Makers, Creators & Innovators’ microsite, which is dedicated to highlighting and promoting local business and suppliers impacted by the bushfires and economic downturn, to provide them with an additional marketing vehicle and support system. This microsite will be designed to encourage visitors and residents to spend money with our makers, creators and innovators in recovery first.”
The Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund is jointly funded by the NSW and Federal Governments.
Other bushfire support measures include the NSW and Federal Governments sharing the cost for the clean-up of registered residential and small business properties, the NSW Government’s $1 billion fund to replace vital infrastructure, $75,000 grants for bushfire affected primary producers, $50,000 grants for bushfire affected small businesses and a $140 million bushfire support package for the forestry, horticulture and agriculture industries.
For a full list of available bushfire support, go to: www.service.nsw.gov.au.