Two recovery pods have arrived in Nerriga this week, allowing those impacted by the summer’s bushfires to stay on their properties while they begin the process of rebuilding.
Deputy Premier and NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro said up to 200 accommodation pods were being rolled out across the state, thanks to a partnership between the NSW Nationals in the state government and the Minderoo Foundation.
“Nerriga, a small village between Braidwood and Nowra, was significantly impacted by bushfires over summer. As a result, the damage was widespread with dozens of buildings and homes lost,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Nerriga is a very close-knit community and incredibly resilient, however, the fires and the devastation they caused knocked this region around.
“It is times like this that those hit the hardest need support. That is why these recovery pods are so important – they allow families and individuals impacted by the fires to stay safely and securely on their own property, close to those who love them.”
The accommodation pods allow individuals and families to stay on their own property in a temporary structure for up to two years, in line with recent amendments to planning regulations.
So far more than $2.3 billion has been committed to the bushfire recovery by the NSW Nationals in the state government, with more than 3,200 destroyed properties cleared, at zero cost to property owners.
Bushfire recovery funding from the NSW Nationals in the state government has been distributed through grants, temporary accommodation, clean-up and industry support.
Mr Barilaro said the support from the NSW Nationals in the state government does not have an end-date and anyone who needs assistance should contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.
“The thing that keeps me up at night is that someone might fall through the cracks when it comes to bushfire recovery,” Mr Barilaro said.
“The government has committed $8.5 million for Operation Outreach, a program aimed at ensuring everyone who needs support gets it.
“Resilience NSW, Service NSW, local councils, charities and locally embedded recovery services are out there, proactively seeking out bushfire-impacted families and individuals to ensure they are utilising the raft of support available.”
For more information on the support available visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au.
