FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR ON-FARM BUSHFIRE RECOVERY PROJECTS
A year months on from the bushfires which devastated the region and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is continuing to provide assistance to impacted landholders, with Minister for Agriculture and State MP Adam Marshall today announcing the launch of Bushfire Recovery Small On-farm Grants.
Mr Marshall said the grants, supported by the State Government, would be available from this Friday, 4 December, and the application process was very straight forward.
“Where previously grants have focussed on rebuilding farm infrastructure like boundary fences, the Bushfire Recovery Small On-farm Grants looks to support land managers and community groups to implement projects which relate to weed control, pest control, animal welfare and veterinary services,” Mr Marshall said.
“Whether it is a water trough or tank that was melted or a stock crush which was destroyed, these funds will target projects which assist landholders in their efforts to rebuild their operations.
“Assistance will be approved through an Expression of Interest process, with a board to assess applications against a set of criteria including funding availability, NSW Government priorities and value for money.
“With such an extreme impact from bushfires on landholders and their livestock, infrastructure and landscape, the Bushfire Recovery Small On-farm Grants will provide a financial boost to primary producer’s bottom line, when it is needed most.”
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 4.30pm on Friday, 22 January 2021.
Access to funding is likely to be very competitive with individual farmers and land managers, community groups and organisations and groups of landholders (for example, neighbouring landholders), able to submit an Expression of Interest.
Subject to the number of successful applications, a second round of Bushfire Recovery Small On-farm Grants may become available in 2021.
Further information is available at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/northern-tablelands/grants-and-funding or contacting Northern Tablelands LLS on 02 6720 8301.