8 projects worth a total of $17,292,707 million have just been approved in Gilmore by the Australian and New South Wales governments, to boost local economies as communities recover from the 2019-20 bushfires.
Senator for New South Wales Jim Molan said “the projects in Gilmore are among 49 industry projects jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales Government to support local economic recovery after the fires.”
Senator Molan said “the 8 projects approved in Gilmore include:
- $ 8,000,000 to Southern Community and Recreation Precinct in the Shoalhaven. The project will deliver the first stage of a sporting and recreation facility for residents on the south coast. This project will provide facilities to host major regional and national sporting tournaments, as well as providing facilities to support social recovery and build community connections.
- $ 5,250,000 to Batemans Bay Coastal Headlands Walking Trail & Observation Point Viewing Platform (Spotted Gum Track) in Batemans Bay. The project will deliver a 30-kilometre accessible walking track and lookout. The track will pass through various local communities and connect a number of beaches, tourist sites and retail precincts. The project will deliver a tourism highlight for visitors to the region, boosting the nature-based tourism economy in the region.
- $225,000 to Adaptive and Resilient Oyster Supply Chain: Oyster Wet Storage and Packing Shed project in Batemans Bay, NSW. The project will modernise and scale up oyster production and develop higher value markets for oysters in the Clyde river and NSW.
- $137,808 to Nowra Sawmill Green Timber Docking Line in Nowra Hill New South Wales. This project will install a second docking and packing line at the Nowra sawmill, specifically designed to produce short length green timber products. By diversifying the production at the mill it is increasing market opportunities and providing new employment for the region, driving economic growth and recovery.
- $113,410 to Marketing NSW oysters: Driving demand to facilitate sustainable growth in New South Wales. This project provides resources for NSW Farmers to contribute towards a national marketing campaign (established by Oysters Australia) and its implementation across NSW. Project involves industry wide marketing and promotional activities to promote the stockpiling of current oyster production.
- $1,942,629 to Future-Proofing the NSW Apiary Industry and Keeping Beekeepers in Jobs in New South Wales. This Project will help future-proof the NSW apiary industry and keep beekeepers in jobs by improving confidence and investment in the NSW apiary industry.
- $1,109,460 to Professionalising the NSW oyster industry: The road to recovery & future resilience in New South Wales. This project will develop a ‘Responsible Oyster Farming Program’ – a series of short training modules aligned with the industry code of practice to upskill existing farmers or those entering the industry. Aims to support the workforce needs of the Aquaculture industry.
- $514,400 to Environmental Risk Management System: Innovation for Resilience in the NSW Oyster Industry in New South Wales. This project will design individual estuary/harvest area management plans to mitigate future bushfire and environmental impacts on industry, to decrease closure days and provide practical advice on risk mitigation strategies during future bushfire related poor water quality events. It will model and assess water quality risks to harvesting in each estuary, and where data supports it, change harvest area management to reduce closure times. Research and development studies will be conducted.”
“These industry projects focus on driving jobs and economic activity to assist bushfire recovery, helping our community emerge stronger from the tough times we’ve faced over the last year,” Senator Molan said.
“It’s great to see these projects moving, as one part of more than $500 million from the Australian and NSW governments for tangible, on the ground projects in fire affected regions.”
Australian Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud said getting these industries back on their feet will be a vital economic driver in fire affected regions.
“Getting local industries back on their feet is a crucial part of bushfire recovery,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Funding for projects in NSW’s forestry, oyster, apiary, apple, horticulture and wine making industries will ensure the continued viability and growth of these local employers.
“This funding will help these businesses keep employing locals, keep spending locally and allow them to play an important role in community recovery after the fires.”
Overall, the Australian and NSW governments are investing more than $500 million to support bushfire projects that drive local economic, community and industry recovery. This joint funding is being delivered in two ways:
- Fast-tracked community and industry recovery projects, including these 49 projects, are being identified by the NSW Government following local and industry consultation.
- Applications are open from 27 October for project funding under the $250 million Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. Communities are encouraged to apply for grants of between $200,000 and $20 million. Grants are open to organisations such as councils, joint organisations, business chambers, charities, businesses and Local Aboriginal Land Councils to deliver successful projects. For more information, visit nsw.gov.au/blerfund.
For details of local economic recovery projects approved across New South Wales see minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/ministers-for-home-affairs/the-hon-david-littleproud-mp/home