Close to thirteen million dollars will soon flow into the Eurobodalla thanks to Federal Government bushfire recovery grants announced yesterday.
The grants will see 12 community-led projects and three Council projects funded following applications made last year. Another 12 projects across multiple local government areas that include Eurobodalla were also funded.
Totalling close to $2 million, Council’s three projects are the rebuild of Batemans Bay’s SES facility after it was destroyed in the fires, a new canteen and amenities building at Moruya Showground, and investigating suitable land for the new emergency services precinct to be funded by the NSW Government.
Community-led projects include $6 million for a community hub and sporting facility, $999,000 for a community hub in Mogo, $796,000 for the Tuross Valley rebuild and recovery project, and almost $1.5 million for children’s resilience and wellbeing support.
Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said the grants have been a long time coming but will go a long way to helping the shire’s recovery and resilience efforts.
“This is the announcement we’ve been waiting for, like the money to rebuild the Bay’s SES headquarters,” he said.
“An injection of cash to find land for the now-funded emergency services precinct means that project can get up and running.
“And Moruya Showground, home for thousands of evacuees during the fires, will get a much-needed new amenities and canteen building. These are great outcomes for disaster preparedness in our shire.”
Mayor Hatcher said all the community groups successful in obtaining funding are to be congratulated.
“Completing those applications is no mean feat and on behalf of the Council I thank each group for their commitment to our community’s recovery and future resilience.
“Special mention must go to Mogo Business Chamber president Richard Adams for his success in obtaining close to a million dollars to build a community centre in Mogo. I look forward to supporting them to deliver this project.”
“I’d also like to thank our local Federal MPs Fiona Philips and Kristy McBain, not just for their support of our community groups but for keeping pressure on the Federal government to deliver these vital grants.”
524 projects across 110 local government areas have been successful under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program, totalling $390,893,782. For information and the full list of funded projects Black Summer Bushfire Grants Program | National Recovery and Resilience Agency
Above: Almost $13M in Black Summer bushfire recovery grants have been announced for the Eurobodalla. Council received three grants, including one to rebuild the SES facility in Batemans Bay destroyed during the fires. Photo: NSW SES Batemans Bay Unit About the Council projects:
Reconstruction of Batemans Bay SES facility
Batemans Bay’s SES facility was destroyed in the Black Summer fires and will be rebuilt adjacent to the NSW Ambulance station in Surf Beach. This $628K will supplement $200K from the NSW Government already received, along with $1.6M Council contribution and allows the project to proceed.
Regional Co-located Emergency Services Precinct
$200K for the Regional Co-located Emergency Services Precinct will be used to engage NSW PWA to find a suitable location for the precinct in Moruya. $15M has been committed by the NSW Government for a new RFS headquarters and emergency operations centre. Federal and State Labor have committed $25 million for the project.
Moruya Showground canteen building replacement
This $902K will fully fund a project to demolish the existing Moruya Showground canteen and separate male and female toilet blocks and replace them with a single facility. The heritage shed/original showground secretary’s office in the vicinity of these buildings will be relocated as part of this project. This facility will be vital when the Showground is next used as an evacuation centre.
