The Australian and NSW governments have extended important local services to those affected by last season’s unprecedented bushfires.
Recovery Support Services link people to their own personalised recovery support worker, who can help them navigate and access services and disaster assistance packages. So far 4,200 families across 25 LGAs have accessed their local Recovery Support Service.
Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the extension would ensure long-term support is available for impacted communities throughout their recovery.
“We’re pleased to extend this funding for another 12 months as these locally based services provide an important link between survivors and the support they need as they recover,” Minister Littleproud said.
“As every person, family and community are at different points in their recovery, we recognised that the assistance that is provided across the state would need to be continued for another year.
“I would encourage anyone who needs advice, assistance or guidance on the next steps in their recovery to make contact with their local Recovery Support Service. These free services are there to help everyone impacted by last summer’s fires.
“The Australian Government will continue to work closely with the New South Wales Government to ensure that the affected communities have all the support they need as they continue their recovery.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the dedicated service had proven its value in helping people manage the complex issues faced in the aftermath of the bushfires and reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.
“These locally-based recovery support services have made an immense difference in helping people who have lost homes, property or livelihoods navigate their recovery journey,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Providing a further $8.2 million in funding to extend these services for another year is an absolute no brainer and will give people much needed certainty and stability.
“After the flames go out, people are juggling their own wellbeing, while also handling finances, insurance claims, rebuilding approvals, and all the other challenges that are part of the recovery process.
“Having a real person from your own community, who can listen and help you through the day to day challenges can be a gamechanger.
“We know that people will reach out for help in their own time and the Recovery Support Services will be here for you when you’re ready for it, whether that’s today, in 6 months, or in a years’ time.
“We have also embedded 22 Local Recovery Officers in local councils and are full steam ahead with the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund and Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund, which are playing a key role in driving on a vast community-led recovery around our great state,” Mr Barilaro said.
Recovery Support Services are jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DFRA). The extension takes the total funding for the services to almost $17 million.
The Australian and NSW governments continue to support communities impacted by bushfires through various grants, loans and other services including:
- More than $500 million in joint State and Commonwealth funding for local economic, community and industry recovery projects through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund (BLER)
- $25 million in tailored support for councils, community groups and not-for-profit through the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fun (BCRRF)
- 11,000 bushfire affected people assisted by the Service NSW Bushfire customer care line
- Over 20,000 small businesses supported through the 10k and 50k small business grants
- 1900 farmers and primary producers supported by primary industry grants
- $140 million provided for forestry, agriculture, horticulture and other key industries through the Bushfire Industry Recovery Package
- More 3600 properties cleared in the biggest clean-up in state history
- More than 200 pods delivered to people in need through partnership with Minderoo Foundation, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross
- More than 8,000 people placed in emergency accommodation
| Recovery Support Service | Provider | LGAs covered |
|---|---|---|
| Bega Valley Recovery Support Service | Bega Valley Shire Council | Bega Valley |
| Community Links Recovery Support Service | Community Links Wollondilly Inc | Wingecarribee Wollondilly |
| Eurobodalla Recovery Support Service | Eurobodalla Shire Council | Eurobodalla |
| Monaro Family Support Recovery Support Service | Monaro Family Support Services | Snowy Monaro |
| Rural Recovery Support Service | Department of Primary Industries | Armidale Bega Valley Clarence Valley Cootamundra Gundagai Eurobodalla Glenn Innes Severn Greater Hume Hawkesbury Kempsey Lithgow Mid Coast Nambucca Queanbeyan-Palerang Richmond Valley Shoalhaven Snowy Valleys Tenterfield Wagga Wagga Walcha Wingecarribee |
| Shoalhaven Bushfire Recovery Support Service | Barnardos Australia | Shoalhaven |
| Step by Step Recovery Support Service | Gateway Family Services | Blue Mountains Hawkesbury Lithgow Mid-Western |
Further details are available at:
