The New South Wales Government has undertaken a pilot program to streamline funding for disaster recovery, with Central Coast Council to benefit from faster repairs to roads and transport infrastructure.
The council is among the first in the state to sign a pioneering pilot funding agreement with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW, streamlining the distribution of disaster recovery funds.
Previously, councils faced significant financial strain as they had to finance infrastructure repairs upfront and wait for reimbursement from other levels of government.
Now, through the newly established Tripartite Agreements, councils like Central Coast Council can access advance funding at the onset of each reconstruction phase.
The Tripartite Agreements mean less financial pressure on councils, faster road repairs for communities and enhanced collaboration between government agencies.
New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said that when a region is hit by a natural disaster, the last thing councils need to worry about is coming up with the cash to restore essential road and transport infrastructure.
“The new pilot agreement the State Government has struck with councils will now help more councils get on with the job faster, knowing they have the funds they will so desperately need,” Minister Scully said.
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said that the Tripartite Agreements are a great example of all levels of government working with communities to develop new solutions that improve disaster response.
“We are committed to building on the success of these agreements and rolling out more support to help communities rebuild faster after disasters,” Minister Dib said.
New South Wales Minister for the Central Coast and Member for Wyong, David Harris, said that the Tripartite Agreement pilot is a major advance in disaster recovery, and importantly, it paves the way to better procedural preparedness.
“It is pleasing that Central Coast is among the first councils in the state to be part of this program to fast-track funding for repair and recovery,” Minister Harris said.
“I commend the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW for leading this new way of rebuilding roads and transport infrastructure.”
New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said that for too long councils have struggled to get timely access to disaster road recovery funding and this is why the government introduced the new Tripartite Agreements to speed up the process.
“With $3.3 billion allocated over the next four years for natural disaster road recovery funding, the State Government is working hard with the Federal Government to roll out funding faster than ever before,” Minister Aitchison said.
“Regional communities can now rebuild roads and restore vital transport links more quickly thanks to the collaborative efforts of councils, Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority.”
