Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the NSW Nationals in Government’s $140 million Bushfire Industry Recovery Package to support forestry, horticulture and agriculture industries impacted by the recent bushfires.
“The Dunns Road Fire had an enormous impact on so many of our communities, combined with the ongoing strain of drought. This package will go some ways in helping the many industries who are still trying to recover from these indiscriminate natural disasters,” Ms Cooke said.
“This funding will support the recovery and resilience of key industries by backing projects that retain and create jobs, strengthen local supply chains and support a return to production. This funding will provide the direct help many businesses need to recover from devastating losses, which will in turn benefit the wider community.”
Leader of the NSW Nationals and Deputy Premier of NSW John Barilaro said communities in the Cootamundra electorate are the backbone of this State and it is critical to support the key regional industries which keep our economy thriving.
“Farmers feed this State and this Nation, and not only have they endured the worst drought on record, but many have suffered horrific bushfires and are now facing the impacts of COVID-19,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We are delivering this funding to keep our key regional industries in business. Industries with the greatest impact will be given the greatest share of this funding. The program will focus on recovery in the short term and will support valuable investments to help these sectors plan for recovery in the longer term.”
Details of funding criteria including amounts available for businesses under this package will be made available with the release of program guidelines in the coming weeks.
Other bushfire support measures include covering the cost for the clean-up of residential and small business properties, the NSW Government’s $1 billion fund to replace vital state infrastructure, $75,000 grants for bushfire affected primary producers and $50,000 grants for bushfire affected small businesses.
For a full list of all available bushfire support, go to www.service.nsw.gov.au
