Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund

This program seeks to support economic and social recovery at a local and regional level in areas impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires. It will support job retention and creation in these regions, strengthen community resilience and reduce the impact future natural disasters will have on the communities.

Funding will be available in impacted regions, but will be focused on supporting the areas most impacted.

There are three funding streams available:
- Community recovery and resilience fund: Support community recovery, capacity building and improve future disaster resilience.
- Industry recovery package: Targeted support for driver industries of forestry, agriculture and horticulture.
- Bushfire local economic recovery fund: Support local and regional economic and social recovery projects.

Grants available are:
- Between $400,000 and $20 million for infrastructure projects.
- Between $200,000 and $4 million for environmental projects including rehabilitation, remediation and resilience improvements.
- Between $200,000 and $4 million for programs, including social, business and environmental education initiatives.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to make a financial co-contribution to their projects; however, this is not an eligibility requirement. Co-contributions could include leveraging community funds, in-kind support, local government funds as well as funding from other sources including other NSW or Australian Government programs.

A total funding pool of $250 million is available.

Eligible applicants must:
- Hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) or be registered with NSW Fair Trading under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 or other Act.
- Be one of the following entities:
a) Councils
b) Joint Organisation of Councils
c) Not-for-profit organisations, including business chambers, industry associations and charities
d) Research or academic organisations
e) State Government corporations
f) Local Aboriginal Land Councils

For-profit organisations and State government agencies may be considered eligible applicants only where projects will deliver a clear public benefit.

A public/private partnership may only seek funding where the lead applicant is an eligible entity.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete eligibility requirements.

Eligible projects must:
- Support the recovery of the local community’s economy, social well-being, environment or improve resilience to future natural disasters.
- Be able to commence within six months of the funding deed being executed by the Department and be completed by 30 June 2022.
- Align with one of the following categories:
a) Enabling infrastructure
b) Industry and business development
c) Social development
d) Natural environment and resource development
e) Built environment adaption

Projects seeking funding must be delivered in an eligible LGA as listed in Appendix A in the Guidelines.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of examples of eligible projects.

The main assessment criteria include:
- Alignment with regional objectives
- Local support and participation
- Need for project
- Feasibility
- Enduring benefit

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of the assessment criteria.

The following are ineligible for funding:
- An individual or group of individuals (including sole traders and partnerships).
- An unincorporated association (including trusts) that is not a registered not-for-profit organisation.
- Discretionary investment trusts that are not a registered not-for-profit organisation.
- Costs related to buying or upgrading non-fixed equipment or supplies unless it is a small component of a larger fixed project.
- Financing, including debt financing, or insurance.
- Rental costs for infrastructure projects and environmental projects.
- Regions not directly or minimally impacted by the 2019-2020 bushfires.

Please refer to the Guidelines for the complete list of restrictions.