The NSW Government has today announced that $5 million will be distributed to six councils to ease the impact of the recent bushfires on coastal waterways.
Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the Government is committed to supporting councils manage the effects of the recent bushfires on sensitive estuary ecosystems.
“Six bushfire affected councils will receive a share of $5 million in funding to implement strategies to stem the impacts from the unprecedented bushfires,” Mrs Hancock said.
“The effects of the bushfires have the potential to degrade coastal waterways by impacting water quality and sensitive estuary ecosystems, in turn affecting local industries such as tourism and aquaculture.
“This funding will allow coastal councils to move quickly to mitigate these impacts.”
Councils awarded funding under the Bushfire Affected Coastal Waterways Program include:
- Bega Valley Shire Council: $1,149,000 for the Bega Valley catchment stabilisation and estuarine ecological health protection works.
- Eurobodalla Shire Council: $1,105,000 for the Eurobodalla coastal waterway bushfire impact mitigation project.
- Shoalhaven City Council: $1,000,000 for the Shoalhaven local government area catchment stabilisation and ecological monitoring works and $427,281 for the south east catchment and waterways bushfire recovery plan.
- Mid-Coast Council: $913,719 for the Mid-Coast Council coastal reserves bushfire recovery project.
- Port Macquarie-Hastings Council: $265,000 for the sensitive receptors catchment management project.
- Richmond Valley Shire Council: $140,000 for the restoration of burnt riparian areas within the Richmond River tributaries.
