Lithgow City Council has been successful in two applications under the Bushfire Community Recovery & Resilience Fund (BCRRF) – Stream 2 for a total of $600,000 in important safety projects in the wake of the Gospers Mountain fire emergency.
The critical funding boost will deliver infrastructure investments and upgrades to the Civic Ballroom for emergency response. A second project will develop emergency preparedness and recovery capacity in an Emergency Evacuation Plan for the Wolgan Valley.
Lithgow City Council Mayor Ray Thompson welcomed the news, describing the funding as essential to Lithgow’s emergency access and response.
“This is fantastic news. This funding can support a safer, faster and more efficient response to people affected by emergency.” he said.
“We will be able to upgrade the Civic Ballroom and facilities, ensuring the Tony Luchetti precinct remains a key asset well into the future.”
Emergency access for residents along the 33.56km length of the Wolgan Road was hampered during the Gospers Mountain bushfire with rock falls, fallen trees and fire ground conditions a significant safety concern.
“Our landscape is beautiful but it presents challenges in times of emergency. We need evacuation strategies that take into account the challenging environment.”
“We always need to be preparing for worst-case scenarios. These are important strategic projects that will provide much-needed benefit to our local communities and relief during times of crisis, including floods and bushfires,” he concluded.”
Council will keep residents and community members informed on next steps and time frames.
The Stream 2 funding comes after Lithgow City Council received $250,000 in Stream 1 of the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund (BCRRF) and is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
