A number of Midcoast gardens damaged in the 2019-20 Summer bushfires will be replanted and fireproofed with the help of funding from the NSW Nationals in the federal government.
Federal Nationals Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie has announced $150,000 in funding under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program to support property owners to replant their gardens and prepare for any future event.
“We know how crippling it is to lose valuable farmland, stock, or personal assets. It’s just as devastating to see a beautiful garden destroyed, particularly when the garden is someone’s livelihood,” Dr Gillespie said.
“We’re anticipating a strong and positive community response to this project and will look forward to seeing some of the beautiful and clever garden restorations that occur.”
MidCoast Growers’ Network spokesperson Melanie Kiker said many landowners were keen to learn how to fireproof their properties.
“A number of local garden owners are anxious about rebuilding and then facing a future bushfire which wipes them out again. Re-designing is also a chance to make your home, garden and outbuildings more resilient to bushfires,” Ms Kiker said.
“We’ll aim to initially restore 16 local gardens, linking in as many people as we can with this project.
“We’ll have a strong focus on information dissemination – public outreach, video-documented garden redesigns, workshops, our website and social media – so that we can leave a long-term legacy for all bushfire-prone communities in the MidCoast LGA and beyond.”
For further information please email MidCoast Growers Network midcoastgrowersnetwork@gmail.com