Recovery efforts in the Central West will be boosted under the joint Commonwealth and State Government $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package with a range of programs set to get underway next month.
NSW Premier Chris Minns joined Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib and Member for Orange Phil Donato in Eugowra on Tuesday to make the announcement and update the community on the package.
Community consultation sessions across the flood affected communities of the Central West will commence in February ensuring local community members have the opportunity to influence the design of the $40 million housing program.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority, working with the 4 local councils, will lead the consultation stage of the housing program, engaging with communities through information sessions, workshops and online communication tools.
Community members will be briefed on technical data and flood modelling and will be asked to share their experiences and insights from the November 2022 floods to help build a shared understanding of risk in the region.
The $40 million housing program could offer a range of products to eligible households, including raisings and retrofits to floodproof existing dwellings as well as buybacks and relocations.
$57 million of the funding will be used for a Community Asset Program and a Regional Transport Resilience Fund - funding allocations for both will be released in February and both will also be open for applications from local councils.
The Regional Transport Resilience Fund will see vital transport infrastructure like bridges and flood crossings replaced and roads improved while the Community Assets Program will focus on places that bring communities together, like sporting fields, parks and playgrounds, recreational centres and libraries.
Importantly, both programs focus on building back better to ensure communities are better prepared in the face of natural disasters.
To help oversee delivery of the landmark $100 million package, Mayors from Cabonne Shire, Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan will join representatives from the NSW and Federal Governments at a Community Leaders Forum, to be chaired by the Member for Orange Phil Donato.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
"We know people just want to get back into their homes, that's why flood recovery remains a key priority for the NSW Government.
"We're committed to ensuring the community remains at the centre of recovery efforts.
"This is not about a simple fix, it's a concerted effort making sure that communities in the Central West can build back stronger and an acknowledgement that the NSW Government is standing with them for the long-haul."
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"Recovery doesn't happen overnight - it's a long-term issue that requires evidence-based planning and community leadership.
"I'm proud to say the NSW Government is committed to delivering practical action on the ground to help people get back on their feet, with the involvement of local leaders and their communities."
Member for Orange, Phil Donato said:
"We know a wide range of recovery and reconstruction work still needs to be done across the region and I am glad the work is progressing to make this happen.
"It is critical that the communities that are still dealing with the after-effects of the 2022 floods will remain at the centre of flood recovery efforts."
