Upper House MP Wes Fang has welcomed the NSW Nationals in Government’s $140 million Bushfire Industry Recovery Package to support forestry, horticulture and agriculture industries impacted by the recent bushfires.
“Southern NSW has felt the full devastation of bushfires and drought in recent times and this package will help industries significantly impacted by fires to rebuild and recover,” Mr Fang said.
“This funding will support the recovery and resilience of key industries by backing projects that retain and create jobs, strengthen local supply chains and support a return to production.
“Our regions are dependent on these industries to generate jobs and economic activity and this funding will provide the direct help many businesses need to recover from devastating losses, which will in turn benefit the wider community.”
NSW Nationals Leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro said communities in southern NSW were the backbone of the state and it was critical to support the key regional industries that keep our economy thriving.
“Farmers feed this state and this nation, and not only have they endured the worst drought on record, but many have suffered horrific bushfires and are now facing the impacts of COVID-19,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Bushfire-impacted towns cannot afford to suffer further job losses and economic downturn, which is why we are delivering this funding to keep our key regional industries in business.
“Industries with the greatest impact will be given the greatest share of this funding.
“The program will focus on recovery in the short term and will support valuable investments to help these sectors plan for recovery in the longer term.”
Details of funding criteria including amounts available for businesses under this package will be made available with the release of program guidelines in the coming weeks.
Other bushfire support measures include covering the cost for the clean-up of residential and small business properties, a $1 billion fund to replace vital state infrastructure, $75,000 grants for bushfire affected primary producers and $50,000 grants for bushfire-affected small businesses.
For a full list of all available bushfire support, go to www.service.nsw.gov.au.
