Local councils in NSW criticised over spending of State and Federal bushfire recovery grants
4 years, 7 months ago

Local councils in NSW criticised over spending of State and Federal bushfire recovery grants

ABC  

Local councils in some of NSW's worst-affected bushfire areas are being criticised for their plans to spend recovery funding on upgrading sporting fields and preschools untouched by flames. Key points: The National Bushfire Recovery Agency says councils have broad guidelines for spending recovery funds It suggests money go towards repairing roads and community facilities, grant distribution and hosting recovery events But some communities are concerned money isn't being spent to directly benefit bushfire-affected communities In the Shoalhaven, where bushfires burnt through 80 per cent of land and destroyed 280 homes, the council has allocated $400,000 of its Federal bushfire recovery grant to upgrade a sporting field. Bellingen Shire Council received $1.4 million in Federal and State funds and plans to spend $880,000 on community resilience measures, including a $365,000 "resilience hub". Oberon Mayor Kathy Sajowitz said the council was lobbying for more recovery support after it missed out on the $1 million Federal grant, despite the region being declared a bushfire disaster area.

Support Recovery Local Funding Council State Federal Plans Spent Spend Nsw Federal Government Councils Oberon Bushfire Shoalhaven Recovery Funding Bellingen Shire Council  funding  spend  bushfire  grants  spent  nsw  support  criticised  local  recovery  state  spending  federal  councils  plans  council

History of this topic

Bushfire recovery funds 'inappropriately' given to agriculture, equine projects in Wingecarribee shire, review finds
3 years, 7 months ago

Bushfire recovery funds 'inappropriately' given to agriculture, equine projects in Wingecarribee shire, review finds

ABC  

The interim administrator of a New South Wales council says it "inappropriately" allocated state bushfire recovery funds to a project unaffected by fire after dozens of homes in the shire were destroyed during the Black Summer disaster. Viv May said the council "inappropriately" used almost half of a $250k state grant to bolster "niche" businesses unaffected by fire. During a …

NSW government sought to spend $200m in bushfire funding without opening applications
3 years, 9 months ago

NSW government sought to spend $200m in bushfire funding without opening applications

ABC  

The New South Wales government initially sought to spend almost $200 million on bushfire recovery funding without any open application process and was privately criticised by federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud over delays in opening the scheme up more broadly. Key points: In May 2020, the federal government announced a $448m grant scheme called the Local Economic Recovery Fund after …

Bushfire relief funding is so complex, professional grant writers are being hired to help communities apply
4 years, 1 month ago

Bushfire relief funding is so complex, professional grant writers are being hired to help communities apply

ABC  

Almost a year on from the deadly summer bushfires of 2019-20, some weary communities are having to hire professional grant writers or relying on volunteers to fill out complex grant applications. Key points: The Local Economic Recovery Fund is distributing $448.5 million in partnership between federal, state, territory and local governments Residents in Cobargo, NSW now have support from a …

Federal disaster recovery funding 'onerous' and provides no incentive to mitigate or insure, bushfire royal commission hears
4 years, 6 months ago

Federal disaster recovery funding 'onerous' and provides no incentive to mitigate or insure, bushfire royal commission hears

ABC  

The federal disaster recovery fund has been heavily criticised at the bushfire royal commission hearings today for being "too cumbersome" states to access. Key points: A Tasmanian recovery advisor says a more streamlined funding process is needed The program does not incentivise people to undertake mitigation or insure themselves Funding can't be used for environmental recovery work after a major …

Bushfire donations topped $282 million between three major charities — almost half's still in the bank
4 years, 7 months ago

Bushfire donations topped $282 million between three major charities — almost half's still in the bank

ABC  

Over the fire season, the world watched in horror as parts of Australia burned. Key points: $135 million in raised bushfire funds are yet to be spent by charities Organisations say they need to make the money last for a recovery effort that will take years Some residents are calling for more support to be offered to them People put …

‘Why are we still struggling?’ ask Australia bushfire victims
4 years, 7 months ago

‘Why are we still struggling?’ ask Australia bushfire victims

Al Jazeera  

People who lost nearly everything as fires tore through vast tracts of Australia say they are still waiting for help. Among other charities, the Australian Red Cross raised 216 million Australian dollars, the Salvation Army 41 million Australian dollars and the St Vincent de Paul Society 22.9 million Australian dollars. “Typically … for people to really get back to functioning …

NSW regional councils battling drought and fire push for funding amid COVID-19 pandemic
4 years, 8 months ago

NSW regional councils battling drought and fire push for funding amid COVID-19 pandemic

ABC  

Some regional councils will cease to operate in the coming months if they do not receive more government support, a local government industry association has warned. Local Government NSW is pushing for a State Government stimulus to be rolled out as both metropolitan, regional and rural councils report to be struggling to maintain basic local services amid the coronavirus pandemic. …

Bushfire donations likely won't cover repair bill, St Vincent de Paul chief says
4 years, 11 months ago

Bushfire donations likely won't cover repair bill, St Vincent de Paul chief says

ABC  

The more than $250 million donated to charities for bushfire relief in recent weeks is "probably not enough" to repair the damage caused by blazes across the country, the head of a major Australian charity has said. Key points: St Vincent de Paul Society chief executive Jack De Groot said the amount of money given to help those affected had …

NSW Government reveals $1b fire fund as RFS confirms 2,600 homes damaged or destroyed
5 years ago

NSW Government reveals $1b fire fund as RFS confirms 2,600 homes damaged or destroyed

ABC  

The NSW Government has committed $1 billion to help rebuild bushfire-ravaged communities, as authorities confirmed blazes have destroyed 1,870 homes around the state this season. Key points: The money is on top of $200 million already committed by the NSW Government It will be spent on infrastructure The NSW Treasurer said he wanted fire-impacted communities to "thrive" NSW Premier Gladys …

Discover Related