Council welcomes $500,000 of Bushfire Recovery Funding

Wollondilly Council has welcomed over $500,000 of funding for bushfire recovery projects from the Australian and New South Wales governments this week.

Federal Member for Hume, Angus Taylor announced that two Council-initiated projects have been approved under Stream Two of the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund (BCRRF).

Council will receive $280,000 towards the Connect and Interact Wollondilly program, which will provide public Wi-Fi and interactive kiosks in bushfire impacted communities.

Another $221,215 will support a mobile Recovery and Resilience Hub to provide immediate outreach support to those communities.

Mayor Robert Khan said this latest round of funding was great news for Wollondilly and would ensure we are ready for any future bushfire events.

“Reliable internet connectivity and an interactive kiosk in public spaces will provide up to date information and communication access for vulnerable communities.”

“The new mobile Recovery and Resilience Hub will help Council to immediately reach out and support people impacted by bushfires and other natural disasters,” he said.

Wollondilly residents have repeatedly identified digital connectivity challenges, with large areas losing mobile connectivity during extreme weather events. Internet connectivity in public spaces will provide universal communications access.

The interactive kiosk is a public information device which will deliver location relevant information, advice and warnings.  The device can be used to search and obtain information, increase community awareness of the disaster recovery process, and to collect feedback and suggestions.

The new Mobile Recovery and Resilience Hub will be utilised by Council and other government and community services to respond immediately to communities across the Shire who have experienced a traumatic event.

It will reduce the need for residents to travel long distances to access critical supports immediately following a fire, flood or other disaster.

The van will be equipped with current technology including laptops, internet access and printers providing direct links to information, supports and resources.

The mobile hub will be used for outreach and preparedness work with communities following a disaster, and can be accessed by multiple teams from Council as well as essential recovery services such as Resilience NSW, The Red Cross, Recovery Support Service or Service NSW.