The Australian Government has provided funding to local community projects in the Parkes electorate under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program, with projects in Narrabri and Gwydir receiving $1.9 million in support.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the three projects in the Parkes electorate to receive funding will provide vital emergency service facilities and is among 524 projects funded under the program.
Mr Coulton said the overall program funding was boosted by $110 million to $390 million to further support communities around Australia to recover from the 2019-20 bushfires.
“As part of the now $2.2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund, the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program is backing projects which the affected communities have said will best support their ongoing recovery,” Mr Coulton said.
“The grants will fund a broad range of recovery and resilience projects, from social and community well-being to projects that support local jobs, small businesses and infrastructure.
“It was important that we funded projects based on need and merit, which offered a lasting and tangible impact, tailored to local needs and conditions. The quality of the projects funded shows that our ‘locally led’ approach works.
“We understand that recovery from bushfires takes time, and we will continue to support impacted communities through their recovery from the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020.”
Mr Coulton said local projects funded included:
- Narrabri Shire Council – Narrabri Tourism Precinct New Accessible Amenities Building – $300,000
- Gwydir Shire Council – The Living Classroom – Emergency Accommodation and Tourism Opportunities – $850,000
- Gwydir Shire Council – Warialda Emergency Accommodation and Respite Centre – $750,000
Details of the funded projects are available on the National Recovery and Resilience Agency website at: https://recovery.gov.au/programs/black-summer-grants
