Long-awaited controversial bushfire funding for the Blue Mountains has been welcomed by Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, and State Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle.

“Nearly two years after fires devastated the area, and after the Blue Mountains was overlooked in previous funding rounds, we are finally seeing a share of joint federal/state funding coming to the area,” Ms Templeman and Ms Doyle said.

The projects include $2.6 million to Blue Mountains Tourism for a two year tourism program to revive the local economy and $720,000 to establish a disaster Resilience and Recovery Hub at Springwood Neighbourhood Centre.

They also include funding to Blue Mountains City Council of $4 million for the Grand Cliff Top Walk from Leura, a dam project at Blackheath Golf Course and nearly a million dollars for Mount Irvine, Mount Wilson and Mount Tomah projects.

“After fighting to ensure Blue Mountains projects were even considered, after the last debacle, I am relieved to see such worthy recipients of these critical grants,” Ms Doyle said.

Ms Templeman said support for the tourism economy was long overdue.

“The tourism sector has been crying out for support to really promote and revitalise the Blue Mountains as a destination, and this should go a long way to helping with branding marketing, and establishing major events in the Mountains,” Ms Templeman said.

There is also funding for a business resilience hub, for Habitat for Humanity to assist landowners clear debris and prepare for bushfire, and for surveying local fauna populations.

“Of course there are many good projects that missed out and unsuccessful applicants have been urged to seek feedback, and encouraged to look out for another founding round due shortly.” 

Projects that received funding are shown on a map, which can be visited at  

https://recovery.gov.au/our-community/local-area-profiles#/map