Disaster assistance has been made available for Snowy Valleys communities affected by the January 2019 bushfires.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Minister for Emergency Management and North Queensland Recovery Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds CSC said the bushfires destroyed more than six thousand hectares of land, affecting parts of the Kosciuszko National Park and the Bondo State Forest.

“Fuelled by high temperatures, the bushfires burnt for a number of days, threatening rural properties and causing disruptions to nearby communities,” Minister Reynolds said.

“Assistance is available to support councils with counter disaster operations and restoration of essential public assets, as well as small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations directly impacted by these bushfires.”

NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said significant firefighting operations were required in response to these bushfires.

“The NSW Rural Fire Service, with the support of other agencies, battled against challenging conditions in mountainous terrain, which required a large deployment of firefighting personnel, appliances and aircraft to combat the bushfires,” Minister Elliott said.

“I’d like to praise the efforts of our volunteers and service personnel who did a remarkable job to contain the bushfire and protect the communities under threat.”

Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au and the NSW emergency information and response website at emergency.nsw.gov.au.