A $1 million allocation to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will help our area recover from the bushfires as quickly as possible.
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The money comes from the federal government's Bushfire Recovery Agency to help rebuild vital infrastructure and strengthen community resilience.
Council's general manager Craig Swift-McNair said the council had begun to give consideration to where the $1 million could best be spent.
"Based on the information at hand, this funding can be used to rebuild damaged or destroyed council assets such as local roads, bridges, and community facilities; employ additional local staff to take on specialist recovery or planning roles to help coordinate and plan the rebuilding effort; host new public activities and events to bring communities together and attract visitors back to affected regions; and for any immediate maintenance and repairs to relief and evacuation centres," he said.
"Our aim in deciding where and on what this funding is to be spent will be to ensure that it has the best and most positive impact for our community."
A report will be prepared for the March council meeting to inform councillors of the recommended program of works.
All five councils in the Cowper electorate will each receive $1 million to help communities recover from the bushfires.
Cowper MP Pat Conaghan welcomed the funding allocations.
"This funding is being immediately directed to councils to rebuild roads and infrastructure, employ staff to help in recovery activities and hold events which bring the community together," he said.
"Mayors and councillors are extremely close to their communities and have in-depth knowledge of how the recent bushfires have impacted residents, infrastructure and community assets."
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