NSW: Millions for Snowy in bushfire relief
SYDNEY, Feb 15 AAP - The bushfire-devastated Snowy Mountains region in southern NSWis set to receive $2.6 million in state government funding to help rebuild and recover.
Premier Bob Carr said the state government had devised a wide-ranging fire recoverypackage for the Snowy and capital region, offering immediate help for the tourism industry,farmers and the environment.
"While the tragic events of the Canberra fires were not repeated in NSW, there hasbeen substantial impact on many local communities," Mr Carr said.
"We are listening to the experts - the local business and farming communities - andwe are acting on that advice."
More than 65 per cent of the Kosciusko National Park has been burnt out during therecent bushfires, as well as almost all of Brindabella National Park and 30,000 hectaresof farmland.
Fires continue to burn in the Snowy Mountains region, although the National Parks andWildlife Service (NPWS) has reported all fires are currently contained and no communitiesare at risk.
The $2.6 million recovery package includes the establishment of a Snowy Recovery TaskForce, which would provide a focus for the recovery effort in the region, with a budgetof $200,000.
With more than 500 jobs lost because of the fires, $350,000 will be spent on an immediateTV advertising campaign to promote the Snowy and capital regions, and free entry to KosciuskoNational Park will continue up to the end of the April school holidays.
More than $1.5 million will be spent on weed control and stabilisation works in burntwater catchments before the winter snows, and replacement water will be provided for watertaken by firefighters.
The government will also move to replace burnt fences along national park boundaries.
Mr Carr said he expected the cost of long-term recovery for the region to run intotens of millions of dollars.
AAP kp/wjf
KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW PACKAGE
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