Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, has welcomed today’s Commonwealth-State joint-funding announcement of $2.68 million in projects to help better protect New South Wales communities from the threat of bushfire.

Mr Coulton welcomed today’s announcement which will contribute:

·         $55,000 to Cobar Shire Council for a fire fighting water facility.

·         $10,000 to National Parks for fire trails in the Cobar Shire (N11).

·         $9,300 to National Parks for fire trails in the Brewarrina Shire (Ralmardel, Byerawering, Merrining).

·         $67,000 to National Parks for fire trails within the Mid-Western Regional Shire (Wilpinjong, Nullo West, Nullo East). 

·         $3000 to National Parks for fire trails in the Narromine Shire (Claggers Creek).

These projects are some of 126 projects to maintain vital fire trails and fire towers.

Projects are jointly supported by Commonwealth-State Government funding and contributions from recipients under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program which has provided NSW with $13.5 million since 2014.

“Regional Australians know all too well the devastating impact that bushfires have,” said Mr Coulton.

These projects will assist Nationals Parks and Councils to ensure that communities can prepare for the next dangerous bushfire event.

Commonwealth Minister for Justice Michael Keenan said while the nature and size of the country’s landscape meant that natural hazards were a fact of life in Australia, more needed to be done to manage natural disaster risks.

“The Australian Government is supporting New South Wales to boost the resilience of communities to future events,” Mr Keenan said.