Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman has congratulated Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury community groups that have been announced to receive long-awaited bushfire recovery funding.

“Community groups put in some very hard work applying for this funding, and I not only congratulate them for their success in securing millions of dollars, but thank them for their patience,” Ms Templeman said.

Successful funding for projects under the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants had been due to be announced by the government in December last year but was delayed by two months, keeping community groups waiting.

“As well as the Lurline project in the Blue Mountains, I was really pleased to see funding for tourism projects such as the upgrading of the Leura Cascade Precinct, the Pulpit Rock Visitor Precinct, and Mount Victoria village and support for the Winter Magic Festival,” Ms Templeman said. “Other community projects include fund for Blue Mountains Library and Megalong Valley Pony Club.

“It’s good to see shared funding between Lithgow and Blue Mountains for cultural fire training and funds for patient transport for Lithgow, Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains. Other smaller projects are shared between the Mountains and other Local Government Areas (LGAs) such as Bega Valley and Brisbane.

"In the Hawkesbury, there are some communities who'll be very happy to see projects announced in the latest bushfire recovery funding, from the tough-as-boots Kurrajong Heights and Bilpin community who might end up with a bowling club that actually meets their needs – to the Macdonald Valley,” Ms Templeman said.

“St Albans and the surrounding community are still finding their feet not just from fire but from two floods, and they'll see things like an upgrade to their community hall. There’s also a Connected Communities Program and other smaller projects that have been announced in the Hawkesbury.

“These grants are the result of the hard-fought battle I took to the federal government in January 2020, speaking about it in every Parliamentary sitting and sharing stories of survival and recovery.

“Now - more than two years after the fires devastated our World Heritage area and just weeks out from an election - we are seeing the result.

“I am sorry for those who missed out, and I will continue to fight for mitigation and preparation funding from the government’s $4 billion Emergency Response Fund. Not a cent has been spent and it has now earned the government $800 million in interest.

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