A $448.5 million Regional Bushfire Recovery and Development Program could benefit Wingecarribee Shire with additional funding and expertise.
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Hume MP Angus Taylor said the program would help to revive the shire's economy following the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season.
Mr Taylor said the program was being funded as part of a broader $650 million package for impacted communities.
He said the package was included under the Australian Government's $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund.
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"During the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season the economic impact to the agriculture, tourism and forestry industries in Wingecarribee was estimated to be $44 million," Mr Taylor said.
Mr Taylor said the support from this latest funding boost would back local projects and recovery plans, as well as initiatives that benefited the Southern Highlands community.
"Strong economic recovery in regions that were affected by the bushfires will enable families and businesses to get back on their feet sooner," Mr Taylor said.
"This program is an opportunity for the Southern Highlands community to share ideas and projects with the National Bushfire Recovery Agency through the state government, which will work with council to roll-out support as quickly as possible.
"It's important that Wingecarribee has a voice in the recovery process."
Projects and initiatives will be tailored using local knowledge.
They could range from initiatives that promote economic activity and support community well-being, to projects that focus on the landscape and water, replacing produce and stock, or building future resilience.
"The community will work with the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and state and local partners to provide input on priority projects as soon as possible."
The $650 million package also includes:
- $15 million to assist the forestry industry with the increased costs of transporting burned salvaged logs over longer distances to surviving timber mills or storage sites in bushfire affected areas in Victoria and New South Wales.
- $13.5 million for community wellbeing and participation, backing Primary Health Networks with additional funding to provide critical, localised support for bushfire affected individuals to ensure their emotional and mental wellbeing.
- $149.7 million for bushfire recovery related to species and landscapes such as habitat regeneration, waterway and catchment restoration including erosion control, weed and pest management.
- $27.1 million for strengthening telecommunications capabilities before the next bushfire season including the deployment of approximately 2000 satellite phones to rural fire depots and evacuation centres.
Further details are available on the National Bushfire Recovery Agency website at www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au
