Cessnock is one of 32 local government areas in NSW that will benefit from the first phase of the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund.
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Cessnock City Council will receive a $250,000 grant from the fund - administered by Resilience NSW - to put towards locally-led social recovery activities in the wake of last summer's devastating bushfire season.
Up to 100 structures - including houses, outhouses and sheds - were damaged or destroyed across the Cessnock LGA last summer.
The city was blanketed by smoke for several weeks last summer as large blazes burned in Yengo National Park and the Corrabare and Pokolbin state forests from late November into the New Year.
Council's recently-appointed community recovery officer, Melissa Boucher, is working alongside the community to determine their needs and priorities for both the recovery and preparedness for bushfires experienced in the Cessnock local government area.
Ms Boucher met with representatives of various community groups in the Wollombi and Laguna area last Sunday.
The meeting served as a forum for attendees to share their needs around bushfire and disaster preparedness and recovery. The community provided feedback on signage, communication and accessibility.
General manager Lotta Jackson said council welcomes the government funding and looks forward to using this funding to continue building resilience in the local community.
The Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund is jointly funded by the state and federal governments.
Federal minister for agriculture, drought and emergency management, David Littleproud welcomed this support for locally-led recovery.
"Australia's bushfire-impacted communities have displayed the most amazing resilience to firstly withstand the onslaught of the Black Summer bushfires and secondly to work so hard to rebuild their lives from it," he said.
"The importance of community-led recovery cannot be underestimated. It's through the work and ideas of local communities that recovery is achieved and resilience is strengthened.
"Each community faces a different set of circumstances and recovery needs."
Acting Deputy Premier and minister responsible for disaster recovery, Paul Toole, said the NSW Government is continuing to deliver targeted support to help communities recover from the Black Summer bushfires.
"We know that community-led recoveries provide the best chance for people to get back on their feet and for towns to come out the other end of a tragedy with even greater resilience and hope for the future," Mr Toole said.
"I am truly touched by the resilience I've seen from people who have faced unimaginable hardship right across NSW and it is a testament to every individual who makes up our regional communities.
"My message to our bushfire affected towns is that we are with you for the long haul."
Applications are now open for the second phase of the program, which will help fund projects that promote community wellbeing, social and future disaster resilience.
In February this year, Cessnock City Council received $1 million from the Federal Government's Disaster Recovery Funding package, which was allocated to bridge, road and signage repairs in the Wollombi Valley, and tourism marketing.
READ MORE: THE 'BLACK SUMMER' IN THE HUNTER VALLEY, 2019/20
Krystal Sellars
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
Krystal Sellars is the Senior Journalist at the Cessnock Advertiser. Born and raised in Cessnock, she started her journalism career at the Advertiser in 2006 after completing a Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle. Contact her on krystal.sellars@cessnockadvertiser.com.au.
