The funding is designed to support small-scale, community-led projects that promote recovery, resilience, disaster preparedness and wellbeing support following the 2019/20 bushfires that impacted parts of the Cessnock local government area.

The fund is open to community groups, sporting groups, schools, charities and not-for-profit organisations based in the Cessnock LGA, and groups can apply for grants of up to $10,000.

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Council's general manager, Lotta Jackson said council is dedicated to providing ongoing support to Cessnock's bushfire-affected residents.

"Listening to those most heavily impacted by bushfire is vital to effective recovery and resilience. While it has been almost two years since the bushfires, we recognise the need for continued support of community-led resilience and preparedness projects," she said.

Council's community recovery officer, Melissa Boucher said the grants are also aimed at supporting communities to overcome the social impacts of bushfires.

"Through Round 1 of the BCRRF, council funded nine fantastic projects led by community groups. We'd love to see more groups apply for Round 2 so we can get behind locally-driven initiatives that not only focus on physical resilience and preparedness but social and mental wellbeing."

Applications close at 5pm on January 14, 2022.

Successful applicants will be announced by February 7, and projects must be completed by June 30, 2022.

Visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/BCRRF for grant guidelines and to make an application.

Inquiries should be directed to Melissa Boucher on 4993 4100 or emailed to council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au.

Council's BCRRF grants are made available via funding from the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.