February 22, 2022
South Burnett Regional Council has released details about some of the projects it intends to deliver under its recent $1.6 million Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant.
The grant, which aims build community resilience, was announced by Member for Maranoa David Littleproud last week.
A Council spokesperson said the “Community Connection – Local Built” project would employ three FTE staff to engage with community not-for-profit bodies, communities and industry-led organisations.
“(It) will be supported by the roll out of a small grants program that provides investment for targeted action to fulfil recovery and resilience needs within the South Burnett region,” the spokesperson said.
“The grants program will have two streams a Social Recovery and Resilience Stream (sporting, cultural, social activities and projects) and an Economic Stream (industry capacity building and support).”
Four priority projects have already been identified:
- The creation of a South Burnett Community Information Platform that incorporates a Community Directory, Diary and access to a My Community App.
- Formulation of an action plan that “operationalises” the Council’s Regional Development strategy
- The creation of a South Burnett business prospectus brochure which will provide a detailed overview of the South Burnett region and its advantages as a destination to invest, do business and live
- Development and implementation of a South Burnett Façade Improvement Scheme aimed at encouraging building owners and business operators to invest in façade renovations and storefront improvements using grants to cover a portion of the renovation costs
“Our communities and local industries have done it tough for a number of years with impacts not only from the bushfires in 2019 but ongoing drought, COVID 19 and recently flood and storm events,” Mayor Brett Otto said.
“This funding is a welcome stimulus that will allow Council to achieve real outcomes supporting our communities. The Australian Government’s support for the recovery of our rural communities through this program is gratefully acknowledged and appreciated.
“Through targeted investment the ‘Community Connection – Local Built’ project will build a local economy supporting the emotional, social, economic and physical well-being recovery needs of the South Burnett to allow our communities to become more resilient to the impact of future bushfires and other natural hazards.”
- Related article: $1.9m ‘Resilience’ Grants Announced
