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The issue of how best to distribute funding received out of the recent bushfire crisis was discussed by councillors at the February 19 council meeting. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council received a $1 million Federal Government grant announced by Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie, for the purpose of supporting the local community and businesses in their recovery from the recent bushfires. Funding announcements have also been made by the NSW Government for a grant of $250,000 and Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan for a grant of $416,667. Council staff are in the process of engaging with bushfire impacted parts of the region, on how best to utilise the funding. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Mayor Peta Pinson said the report demonstrates good funding in relation to recent bushfire event. “Sadly we’ve had to experience a level of chaos in our community to receive those funds but we are grateful for them,” she said. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council general manager Craig Swift-McNair said while it’s positive to receive support out of the crisis, the funding will impact what is already in council’s program for this year. He said there will be a prioritisation shuffle. Mr Swift-McNair said the funding should be put towards projects which highlight community resilience. Over the past few months council staff have visited small regional areas which have been impacted by the fires. This has helped staff gauge what the communities would like to see, to bring people together after the crisis. Mr Swift-McNair gave examples of how the funding might be used, including a weekly community barbecue for some locations. Mr Swift-McNair is set to table a report at the May and August council meetings, detailing the projects that have been funded under the grant funds. While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you’re up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
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The issue of how best to distribute funding received out of the recent bushfire crisis was discussed by councillors at the February 19 council meeting.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council received a $1 million Federal Government grant announced by Member for Lyne, Dr David Gillespie, for the purpose of supporting the local community and businesses in their recovery from the recent bushfires.
Funding announcements have also been made by the NSW Government for a grant of $250,000 and Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan for a grant of $416,667.
Council staff are in the process of engaging with bushfire impacted parts of the region, on how best to utilise the funding.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Mayor Peta Pinson said the report demonstrates good funding in relation to recent bushfire event.
“Sadly we’ve had to experience a level of chaos in our community to receive those funds but we are grateful for them,” she said.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council general manager Craig Swift-McNair said while it’s positive to receive support out of the crisis, the funding will impact what is already in council’s program for this year.
He said there will be a prioritisation shuffle.
Mr Swift-McNair said the funding should be put towards projects which highlight community resilience.
Over the past few months council staff have visited small regional areas which have been impacted by the fires.
This has helped staff gauge what the communities would like to see, to bring people together after the crisis.
Mr Swift-McNair gave examples of how the funding might be used, including a weekly community barbecue for some locations.
Mr Swift-McNair is set to table a report at the May and August council meetings, detailing the projects that have been funded under the grant funds.
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While you’re with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you’re up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.
