The Supporting Our Neighbours program can assist with replacing roadside fencing damaged during the Black Summer bushfires. Photo: Supplied.
Land managers across southeast NSW have received $8 million from the Supporting Our Neighbours program to rebuild 1600km of boundary fencing that was destroyed in the Black Summer bushfires.
Fences that border onto public lands, such as roadside fencing, can be replaced through the program, which is still open for grant applications until Wednesday, 31 March, 2021.
Applications can be submitted through NSW Local Land Services (LLS), and the program can provide up to $5000 per kilometre to rebuild boundary fences for eligible land managers. It can be issued retrospectively to help cover the costs for people who have already replaced their fencing.
South East Local Land Services general manager Anthony Marshall said, on average, land managers in the region are receiving about $9000 through the program to help cover the cost of replacing boundary fencing.
“The road to recovery is long, but we’re still here to help people rebuild and restock their properties after the devastating bushfires last summer,” he said.
“Through this program, we can provide up to $5000 per kilometre to purchase materials to rebuild fire-damaged boundary fences with your public lands neighbour.
“So far we have been able to help fund more than 1600km of fencing across the southeast, which is a great start, but it’s important people continue to apply so they don’t miss out.
“This is one of the easiest support packages you will come across as we have a team of dedicated fencing coordinators to walk applicants through the entire process.”
Mark Walsh is a cattle and sheep producer at Pericoe, west of Eden, and suffered extensive damage during the past summer’s bushfires, including 13km of boundary fencing bordering multiple public land managers.
Through the Supporting Our Neighbours program he received a $65,500 grant, which helped towards the cost of the replacement boundary fence.
“Dealing with so many public land managers, we didn’t know where to start when rebuilding after the fires, but LLS made this application process so simple and easy,” said Mr Walsh.
“The grant really kickstarted our recovery, giving us the opportunity and confidence to upgrade our boundaries with exclusion fencing, which we are already benefiting from.
“Even better, we were able to use local contractors so all this money has gone straight back into the local economy.”
To find out if you are eligible for the program and to apply, visit the NSW Local Land Services website, or call 1300 778 080.
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