Dungog and Upper Hunter to receive disaster assistance funding following 2017 bushfires

The joint-funded assistance to help repair and rebuild infrastructure in areas that were affected by bushfires from late September 2017 onwards was announced on Wednesday by Minister for Law Enforcement and Cybersecurity Angus Taylor and New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant.

Funds will be derived from the Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) and also cover areas on the Mid Coast and in Port Macquarie-Hastings.

"This funding demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Australian and NSW governments to support communities affected by bushfires," Mr Taylor said.

“In this case, assistance is in the wake of bushfires including the Belbora, Innes View, Chichester Dam, Main Creek Road and Mount Helen fires, which combined destroyed thousands of hectares of land and several homes and buildings.” 

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said the funding will help cover the cost of fighting the bushfires and ensure affected councils could repair damage to essential public infrastructure.

“Five bushfires hit four neighbouring areas at the same time, early in the season. We want to ensure these communities get back on their feet,” Mr Grant said.

“This assistance will help the Mid Coast, Dungog, Port Macquarie-Hastings and Upper Hunter communities rebuild and repair their local infrastructure.”

The Chichester Dam fire in Dungog burnt more than 858 hectares, including 249 hectares of private land and threatened rural properties and water catchments.

Dungog’s second blaze, the Main Creek Road fire, burnt more than 32 hectares of private land and threatened rural properties, while the Upper Hunter Mount Helen fire burnt more than 1,311 hectares of private land and threatened rural properties and communications infrastructure.

Assistance may include: