BUSHFIRE ASSISTANCE FOR TENTERFIELD COMMUNITIES

Disaster assistance has been made available for communities in Tenterfield that were affected by bushfires in early March.

 

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). The vast majority is expected to be paid to firefighting agencies to cover the cost of their operations.

 

Federal Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments were working together to help Tenterfield recover.

 

“These fires burnt through more than 5600 hectares, including over 3725 hectares of private land and 357 hectares of National Park,” Minister Littleproud said.

 

“This assistance will help cover the cost of firefighting which protected lives and rural properties.

 

“Funding will also help local councils repair bushfire damaged assets, including local roads.”

 

NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said that due to the threat to life and property, a significant multi-agency and community firefighting response was required.

 

“Considerable resources were required to bring these fires under control, including mass deployment of firefighting personnel, appliances and aircraft,” Minister Elliott said.

 

“As always, our first responders did a remarkable job in protecting the communities under threat and I commend them for their efforts.”

 

Assistance measures available under the DRFA may include:

 

 

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.