Federal Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud and South Australian Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink today announced further funding for fire-impacted areas of South Australia ensuring continued support for local communities’ fire recovery.
Community recovery and resilience
The Package includes an initial $4.55 million community recovery and resilience program to be rolled-out across Mt Barker District, Adelaide Hills, Rural City of Murray Bridge, Mid Murray and Kangaroo Island.
This will be cost-shared by the Australian and South Australian government.
“Prime Minister Scott Morrison has taken into account the impact of these horrendous fires on South Australian communities and pushed through an initial community recovery package to help communities start the long recovery journey,” Minister Littleproud said.
The community recovery package includes:
- $1.3m
Community Recovery and Resilience Program for community recovery officers and target grants for local recovery efforts
- $3m Tourism Recovery Package for marketing assistance in the tourism reliant areas; and
- $250,000
Blaze Aid Support Program for volunteer help
A further $1.4m will support a targeted community recovery and resilience effort in the Mt Barker District Council area.
Extension of small business and primary producer assistance
The Australian Government has also agreed to extend and meet the full cost of the top up for the Small Business and Not for Profit and Primary Producer grants for the Coorong District Council and the Southern Mallee District Council.
This will mean that small businesses and primary producers directly impacted by fires in these two additional Local Government Areas will be eligible for up to $50,000 and up to $75,000 respectively.
Minister Lensink welcomed the additional funding support provided by the Federal Government.
“This total package will enable South Australian communities to get vital cash flows moving, build back infrastructure and support communities to recover from the devastation of the fires,” said Minister Lensink.
“The State and Federal Governments are standing shoulder to shoulder with the community in their time of need.”
