The bushfire impacted Goulburn, Upper Lachlan and Wingecarribee Shire region will receive a critical boost to their recovery from twelve local projects to be delivered through Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said all twelve projects selected from this region had been put forward by the community, with funding focused on local solutions and local needs.

“These projects were identified by those communities that were impacted by the bushfires and will make a big difference locally, creating opportunities to increase tourism, employment and providing a boost to the economy,” Mr Taylor said.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said these projects are not only about constructing important infrastructure but also delivering significant social and community outcomes.

“The projects announced today are just one part of the complete recovery journey of the region and will help us to continue repairing the social and economic fabric of our communities,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Local projects approved in Wingecarribee, Goulburn Mulwaree and Upper Lachlan include:

• $2,462,947 – New Visitors Information and Community Centre | Upper Lachlan Shire Council
• $1,697,119 – New Penrose Community Hall | Wingecarribee Shire Council
• $2,479,000 – Upgrades to Casburn Park, Wingello | Wingecarribee Shire Council
• $205,000 – Indigenous cultural burning project | Wingecarribee Shire Council
• $585,500 – Upgrades to Collector Memorial Hall | Upper Lachlan Shire Council
• $543,620 – Construct an SES Volunteers Association Centre | Goulburn Mulwaree Council
• $600,000 – Village Improvements including: upgrades to Tallong Memorial Hall and installation of a half basketball court; upgrade Bungoina Community Hall and construct a historical walk; new BBQ area, shade sails and carpark sealing at Tarago | Goulburn Mulwaree Council
• $360,000  - Digital project to promote walking trails enticing visitors to the region | Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan, Queanbeyan-Palerang local government areas.
• $999,570 – Provide business support to bushfire affected startups | Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Wingecarribee Shire Council.
• $1,000,000 – Great Eastern Ranges will support the recovery of bushfire affected environment  | Joint funding across several NSW local government areas including Upper Lachlan Shire Council.
• $2,780,632 - The Blueprint for a Resilient South East training and communication program| Joint funding across several NSW local government areas including Goulburn Mulwaree and Wingecarribee Shire Council
• $919,206.00 - Habitat for Humanity will clear burned debris and fire prone vegetation; provide minor building repairs; and prepare homes and communities for bushfires | Joint funding across several NSW local government areas including Wingecarribee Shire Council.

These projects are the latest to be announced as part of a joint investment of more than $500 million in Local Economic Recovery, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments to support locally-led bushfire recovery initiatives.

Funding for LER projects is just one of the initiatives supported by the Australian Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund. To date, more than $2.3 billion in Australian Government support has been provided to help bushfire affected communities, including $1.6  billion spent so far from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund. Over 80 per cent of the available funding has been used to help communities recover from the 2019-20 bushfires.

Details of successful local economic recovery projects in New South Wales – and across other states - are available on the National Recovery and Resilience Agency website at http://www.recovery.gov.au/our-community/local-bushfire-recovery-projects.