Bushfire-hit farmers and local businesses in the Hawkesbury will be able to access recovery grants of up to $15,000, it has been announced.
In a joint statement released on December 18, Natural Disasters Minister David Littleproud said the community recovery grant scheme had been extended to six additional local government areas, including the Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Lithgow.
"This will help farmers and small business clean up, repair damaged equipment and fencing and replace stock," Mr Littleproud said in the statement.
"This will make sure businesses can open and people are back to work sooner.
"The bushfires in NSW have been devastating for many communities and we are committed to supporting them long-term."
The announcement came following a campaign by Macquarie MP Susan Templeman, who wrote to NSW Emergency Services Minister, David Elliott, saying the funding should be extended to the area because many businesses in the Hawkesbury had "more than a month of serious impacts and are financially squeezed".
"I welcome this long-overdue support for Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains people who have been hit by the fires, but it should have come a month ago," she said.
"From the day the fires first started impacting on local homes and properties, I have called for this support, spoken with the local state MP for Hawkesbury, spoken with both the state minister's office and the Federal minister at length, impressing upon them the urgent need so that people can start regrouping. I thank people who have contacted me and shared their private stories.
"I'm pleased Bilpin, Berambing and Mt Wilson business and properties affected won't have the long wait for assistance that Colo Heights has had. I also hope it's extended to the St Albans/Wisemans and surrounding communities who have faced weeks of fire activity.
"There is a crying need for emotional and psychological support on the ground. I hope we see this support being delivered in a way our communities feel meets their needs."
Premier Gladys Berejiklian visited Hawkesbury Fire Control Centre on December 17 and was asked whether locals would be able to access the recovery funding.
"The funding announcements we've made will extend to anybody who fits the criteria across any part of the state," she replied. "Of course the government is there to support communities, especially in cleaning up hazardous materials so they can rebuild but also for income support and other funding. So depending on your circumstances, that's available."
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line on 1800 018 444.
To apply for recovery grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
