Applications open for Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program

Rural and Regional communities in LGAs across Australia, disaster declared during the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires are encouraged to apply for funding through the Australian Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery (BSBR) Program.

The Armidale Regional LGA is one of 110 LGAs included in the program. A guide of $4.5 million has been allocated to the Armidale LGA and identified on the analysis of the extent of the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfire burn scar in the Armidale Regional LGA as well as economic and other impacts of the bushfires, together with advice from regional engagement networks and the state government. This figure is a guide only. More or less funding may be provided in an LGA depending on the projects that are put forward.

Mayor Ian Tiley is asking eligible community groups and organisations to put forward recovery and resilience projects.

“The extent of the devastating fires in 2019 and 2020 were unprecedented for our country and felt acutely in our region,” said Mayor Tiley. “Not only did large areas of our LGA suffer significant damage but our economy and community wellbeing has suffered.”

More than $200 million has already been directed towards environmental bushfire recovery under the National Bushfire Recovery Fund. Consequently, the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program will be directed towards initiatives that support social, economic and built environment recovery and resilience.

“Council is putting a number of worthwhile projects forward under the program but I would like to see as many community organisations submit projects that will drive economic recovery or address social issues in our region,” said Mayor Tiley.

“The bushfires were unprecedented but the extent of the financial support coming from both the Federal and State Government is something we haven’t seen before. I urge eligible community groups to take advantage, we may never see this level of funding coming into our region again.”

Due to the current lockdown and the difficulties associated with preparing an application the Government has extended the application closing date by one month to 5pm AEST on 6 October 2021.

Further information on the program can be found at https://recovery.gov.au/black-summer-grants#/

Published on 09 Sep 2021