UOW initiative to boost economic resilience and create jobs
The University of Wollongong’s (UOW) business incubator and accelerator iAccelerate has been awarded $999,570 from the Federal and NSW governments’ combined Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund (BLER) to bring the iAccelerate program to 10 bushfire-affected regions, including four Local Aboriginal Land Council areas.
The project, led by UOW’s iAccelerate, will deliver education programs to support 90 of the most promising entrepreneurs and business owners in bushfire affected areas to create 300 new jobs.
Building on the success of the existing Bega Valley Innovation Hub, which iAccelerate launched in 2019 to drive regional innovation, the new project will target bushfire-affected regions by offering entrepreneurs access to economic resilience programs for industry and business development.
Wollondilly Council
Wollondilly Council will partner with My Gateway to deliver a Local Skills Ready Program funded through Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
The State and Federal Governments have committed $981,727 of bushfire recovery funding to the Local Skills Ready Program; a welcome boost to the Wollondilly community as it recovers from the impacts of the recent bushfires as well as floods and Covid-19.
The program will achieve a number of positive outcomes including reducing unemployment, creating local jobs, offering immediate economic stimulus and fast-tracking shovel ready infrastructure programs.
It will provide 15 locals with employment within Council where they can achieve qualifications as well as practical paid work experience.
Kempsey Shire Council
Kempsey Shire Council has received a critical boost to help in the bushfire recovery thanks to Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.
Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, said $6.3 million was allocated to the Kempsey Saleyards and a further $724,000 help tackle the Tropical Soda Apple.
“An infrastructure upgrade at Kempsey Regional Saleyards will provide an enhanced facility for local cattle vendors and buyers and ensure we have a competitive regional saleyard for the Mid North Coast,” Ms Pavey said.
“In addition, Tropical Soda Apple has significantly increased throughout the Valley since the devastating 2019 bush fires. A comprehensive control program will assist landholders to eliminate infestations, protect the natural water courses and prevent further spread to private and public lands.”
$5 million in bushfire relief funding for the Hunter
July 15, 2021
The Hunter region is benefiting from $5 million in bushfire relief funding.
Co-funded by the Australian and NSW Government’s, $5 million is going to be shared across the Dungog, Cessnock, Singleton and Upper Hunter Council areas through Stage Two of the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (LER) Fund.
The funding is being welcomed by Federal Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie and Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell for some great projects.
One of which is $264,432 for The Camping to Common Trail Connections project that aims to upgrade an access link between the camping area located at Dungog Showground and the Dungog Common Reserve.
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Community groups encouraged to access bushfire grant guidance and support
Bega Valley Shire Council welcomes the recent announcement by the Australian Government of a new funding round to support bushfire recovery and resilience, and encourages community groups to take advantage of available application guidance and support to give themselves the best chances of success.
Under the $280 million Black Summer Bushfire Recovery (BSBR) grants program, which opens on 22 July, organisations can apply for a grant of between $20,000 and $10 million.
Bega Valley Shire Mayor, Russell Fitzpatrick said it was pleasing to see additional time had been allocated for community groups and organisations to review the guidelines and seek assistance to give their initiatives the best chance of being successful.