Applications will open at the end of October for a $250 million program to fund Bushfire Local Economic Recovery projects across New South Wales, including in Upper Lachlan, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Wollondilly and Wingecarribee local government areas.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said businesses and community groups in these fire affected areas can apply from 27 October 2020, with grants co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments.

"Recovery needs to be locally led, with money invested in the things that matter and that’s what this Bushfire Local Economic Recovery program is all about,” Mr Taylor said.

“Grants of between $200,000 and $20 million will be available to organisations such as councils, businesses, joint organisations, business chambers, charities, local Aboriginal Land Councils and state government agencies to deliver successful projects.”

Additional to this open call for project proposals, shovel-ready projects are already being identified in bushfire affected areas so they can be fast-tracked to provide community and economic benefit as quickly as possible. Information about these projects will be released in coming weeks.

Overall, more than $500 million joint funding from the Australian and NSW Governments will be provided to support projects driving local economic, community and industry recovery in bushfire affected communities.

Funding for Local Economic Recovery projects is just one of the initiatives supported by the Australian Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund, which is worth more than $2 billion. To date, more than $1.8 billion in Australian Government support has been provided to help bushfire affected communities, including $1.2 billion spent so far from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund.

Applications for Bushfire Local Economic Recovery funding open on 27 October 2020.

For more information, including guidelines, visit www.nsw.gov.au/blerfund.