The ACT and region will receive $12.5 million from the Federal Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund, Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja announced today: $9.6 million towards projects in the ACT, and $2.9 million towards projects across the ACT and region more broadly.

“The impacts of the Black Summer bushfires are still fresh in the minds of many Canberrans,” Senator Seselja said. “From programs focussed on recovery and resilience, funding to improve the Orroral Road crossing, or assistance for Outward Bound as they rebuild, the Liberal-National Government is supporting the Canberra community through the long journey of bushfire recovery.”

$440,000 will be spent to repair and reopen the Orroral Road crossing, and ensure it remains accessible during emergencies.

Outward Bound will transform and equip four old farm sheds into bushcraft workshops, to deliver more skill-building programs to schools, young people, and community groups.

The Tharwa Community Association will repair and upgrade the Tharwa Hall.

The Australian Rural Leadership Foundation will work with the ACT Rural Fire Service to deliver leadership programs.

The ACT Government will receive funding for recovery and resilience projects, and the University of New South Wales to research best practice construction standards to mitigate the impacts of ember storms during bushfires.

Local landowners received a $50,000 grant to help them care for the Murrumbidgee River near Tuggeranong, as part of the $20 million Murray-Darling Healthy Rivers Program.

“A healthy Murrumbidgee is critical to the health of the ACT’s environment, and the Basin as a whole, so it’s exciting to see Canberrans stepping up,” Senator Seselja said.

The landholders will use the grant to repair erosion damage caused by recent floods. They will undertake earthworks to stabilise gully soil, install wildlife friendly stock exclusion fencing, and involve a local school in planting native species to restore riparian vegetation.