A new Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants program to support work not covered by other funding programs is expected to open soon.
The $280 million program was first announced in April, having been enabled by a lower-than-expected take-up of programs under the $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund.
The new grants will be focused on local government areas that were disaster declared after the 2019-20 bushfires, with $98.5 million set aside for “complementary projects”.
A broad range of projects – from community wellbeing through to economic recovery and the rehabilitation of natural and built environments – will be considered for funding.
Although criteria and processes are still being finalised, local governments have been invited to submit Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant Forms.
The National Recovery and Resilience Agency says it will contact applicants as soon as more information becomes available.