It has been announced by the NSW State Government that Hawkesbury City Council will receive $250,000 under the Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund to rollout locally-led community and economic recovery activities in the wake of the bushfires.
The funding is provided through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and will assist council to deliver timely, small-scale projects to support local business and industry recovery, community resilience and wellbeing.
Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Marise Payne, said the funding boost would further enable council to deliver rapid, targeted recovery initiatives.
"We know that getting funding on the ground is absolutely vital during the recovery process - this is the feedback I have received from across the Hawkesbury community, including at a recent visit I made to Berambing on January 28," said Senator Payne.
"A key part of that recovery process is supporting businesses to get back on their feet. This funding can be used, for example, by council to run business advice workshops or industry forums."
Member for Hawkesbury, Robyn Preston, said the funding was a significant step in the bushfire recovery process for the people of Hawkesbury.
"The roll-out of these targeted initiatives is a significant step to ensuring efficient and positive outcomes are achieved for those affected by the bushfires in Hawkesbury," said Ms Preston.
"The local-led focus and funding will aid the promotion of positive well-being and mental health of those suffering as well as providing a platform from which we can use to rebuild our community and get on with our lives.
"I hope this announcement will foster the community spirit and resilience already demonstrated by the people of Hawkesbury during this bushfire season."
Funding will be administered by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Regional NSW Group under an arrangement with NSW Office of Emergency Management, and in consultation with Emergency Management Australia.
This funding from the State Government comes on the back of Hawkesbury City Council receiveing $1 million from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund on January 10.