The New South Wales government in Australia will tip an additional $1 billion over the next two years into bushfire management and recovery amid an unprecedented fire season in which almost 2000 homes have been razed.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Thursday said the new funding would prioritise infrastructure repair and help stimulate fire-ravaged NSW communities.
The funding was on top of $231 million already committed to disaster assistance, which included $166 million specifically for fire fighting.
“This is to rebuild communities and focus on infrastructure that’s either been damaged, destroyed or need improving, and it’s to ensure that communities can have confidence in rebuilding,” Berejiklian told reporters.
“That could be a bridge, road, rail line, school, hospital or also extend to communications and energy infrastructure as well.
“We are always standing shoulder-to-shoulder with those impacted by this devastating catastrophe that’s come to NSW.”
Berejiklian said she had agreed with the federal government that her government would focus on infrastructure repair while Canberra would prioritise direct payments for individuals and businesses.
Some 1870 NSW homes have been destroyed this fire season while 20 people, more than 6200 livestock and millions of animals have died.
