Program Snapshot
Category: Bushfire Recovery Programs
Eligible bodies: Eligible bodies are Local Aboriginal Land Councils and other Aboriginal land managers (Aboriginal Organisations or Corporations) conducting clean-up projects from the 2019-20 summer bushfires, which are not eligible for the initial government-funded bushfire clean-up program.
Key contact: To speak to an EPA representative about registering, call (02) 8837 6388.
For more information email bushfirerecovery.programs@epa.nsw.gov.au
Status: Open until 5:00 pm on Monday 1 February 2021.
Managed by: NSW Environment Protection Authority
Aims
This initiative focuses on supporting Local Aboriginal Land Councils and Aboriginal land managers with the clean-up of bushfire impacted lands and determine the impacts following the 2019–20 NSW bushfires. It aims to improve data quality on the extent of bushfire impacts across NSW and will provide important baseline evidence of the lingering impact of the bushfires. The program may cover
- Clean-up of bushfire-affected infrastructure such as cultural centres, cultural sites, sheds, fences, office buildings and signage.
- Removal and remediation of bushfire impacted contaminated lands.
- Removal of hazardous trees or green waste restricting access to sites.
- Clean-up and repair of access trails to aboriginal lands.
- Clean-up of illegally dumped bushfire and legacy waste.
- Installation of illegal dumping deterrence measures to restrict access to aboriginal lands (fences, bollards, physical rock barriers or signage).
Registration
Registrations open until 5:00pm on Monday 1 February 2021..
To register for the program, complete the online application form, then
- EPA staff will contact you to discuss the damage and assess your eligibility.
- Once the area is declared safe, they will meet with you on site and conduct an inspection.
- The aboriginal lands representative will approve the scope of works.
- The clean-up of the lands will commence.
- The aboriginal lands representative will confirm the completion of the agreed scope of works.
What if I don’t know how much bushfire waste is on our land?
The EPA is facilitating inspections with Aboriginal land managers to scope impacts and prepare a deed of works for the clean-up activity. You will be supported throughout the process by the EPA.
Can we apply for this funding if we have already cleaned-up bushfire dumped waste?
No. We recognise that much of this waste may have already been cleaned up due to the time since the fires, however, retrospective funds are not within the scope of this program. If clean-up work is still required on the lands, you can apply for the funding.
Can I just apply for funding for illegal dumping prevention or deterrence measures?
Yes. If you can demonstrate infrastructure was damaged in the bushfires, or these measures are required for bushfire affected areas, then you can apply to replace or upgrade illegal dumping infrastructure.