Community infrastructure damaged by severe flooding in Central West Local Government Areas in New South Wales will be repaired and upgraded through a jointly-funded Community Assets Program.
The $25 million program will enable the Cabonne Shire Council, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council and Parkes Shire Council to repair, restore and improve the resilience of community infrastructure directly damaged by storms and floods in August and September 2022.
Councils can apply for up to $4 million for individual projects to repair assets and bring them to a standard that is more resilient and better able to withstand future natural disasters.
The types of damaged community infrastructure eligible for funding include parks, walkways, community buildings and tourism and recreational facilities.
The program is jointly-funded under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with project funding to be administered by the Department of Regional New South Wales.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said, “This significant investment by both the Albanese and Minns Governments will provide support for the ongoing reconstruction in these communities, which have withstood several years of consecutive flooding events.
“This program will help to rebuild playgrounds, walkways and community facilities to a more resilient standard so they are able to withstand future disasters.
“This is another example of both levels of government working together to change the way we recover from and prepare for disasters, so that communities are less exposed in the future, as disasters become increasingly frequent and intense.
“We continue to work with the Minns Government in supporting long-term recovery needs in the Central West.”
State Minister for Regional New South Wales, Tara Moriarty, said, “In recent years, severe weather and flooding events have caused significant damage to local community infrastructure across our regions, including in Central West New South Wales.
“Regional communities need this support to repair damaged local community infrastructure.
“The Australian and New South Wales Governments are helping disaster impacted communities work towards rebuilding their communities and spirits while ensuring that their community assets are more resilient than ever.”
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said, “The New South Wales Government is deeply committed to the wellbeing of local communities and is pleased to be joining the Commonwealth in providing funds to build more resilient local infrastructure.
“These facilities can be a focal point bringing community together and this investment is one way we can assist. We urge Councils to get their applications in so the assessment process can begin and residents can see their vitally needed community facilities back in place and built to withstand future events.”
