The Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Barry Calvert has thanked the Federal Government for its latest $1 million funding announcement for all fire affected local government areas during the bushfire crisis, including the Hawkesbury community.
“We are really grateful for this Federal Government funding to assist bushfire affected communities,” the Mayor said.
“We’re acutely aware that there are many issues that need to be considered including fire affected property owners and business owners, fire trails, animals, roads, community assets, and the local economy.”
Mayor Calvert has today met with the head of the newly established National Bushfire Recovery Agency Andrew Colvin, Federal Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud, Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Marise Payne, Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman and State Member for Hawkesbury Robyn Preston for a briefing with the NSW Rural Fire Service and then for a tour of fire affected parts of the Hawkesbury.
“We visited Hawkesbury Fire Control for the briefing and then we visited various parts of the Hawkesbury to meet with community members and to personally see the far-reaching effects of the bushfires on our community. It was a good opportunity for us to talk with each other, as representatives of Local, State and Federal Government, about addressing our community’s short and long-term needs.
“We discussed how Hawkesbury City Council has been working with adjoining Councils, including the Blue Mountains, and with the newly created Regional Bushfire Recovery Committee,” Mayor Calvert said.
“We have also been holding Community Meetings to hear directly from our community members about what they need.
“Council also has created a Bushfire Recovery Guide and a contact form for bushfire affected residents so that they can let us know how they have been specifically impacted by the bushfires, to enable us to help in the best ways possible,” he said.
“The Guide and contact form has been made available to residents at community meetings and it is also available on Council’s homepage by clicking on the link to the Bushfire Recovery Guide.
“I will be working very closely with our Councillors and our community members to determine the most strategic ways to use this funding wisely and effectively for our community,” the Mayor said.
“While it will be a long road to recovery, this $1 million funding will make a positive difference and I thank the Federal Government on behalf of the Hawkesbury community. I also thank the State Government for its funding assistance. Our recovery will continue to require an unprecedented joint effort with the NSW Government, adjoining councils, charities and community members.
“Our bushfire season is not over yet. I would like to thank our firefighters and all emergency services and volunteers for their continued efforts in protecting our community. We would be lost without you.”
