Another three councils across the New England are set to receive upfront natural disaster recovery payments through new funding arrangements provided by the State Government.
Moree Plains Shire Council, Narrabri Shire Council and Gunnedah Shire Council are included in the latest list of 14 NSW councils to be named.
The latest list will join 19 other regional councils that have already signed Tripartite Agreements with Transport for NSW and the NSW Reconstruction Authority that will provide accelerated funding to enable repairs to roads and transport infrastructure damaged by natural disasters.
“We have all seen the damage natural disasters can bring and we also know they are a destructive fact of life.” said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully.
“We need to be prepared before these events and have systems in place to get communities functioning again as quickly as possible when the danger has passed.”
“That is where these Tripartite Agreements can play such an important role in getting disaster recovery payments to councils quickly and efficiently.”
Before the Tripartite Agreements were introduced, councils had to spend their own money to undertake the repairs and then claim the costs back through the Australian and NSW Governments Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. In many local government areas, this placed a heavy strain on council finances.
Once councils have signed up to the Tripartite Agreements they can access advance funding at the start of each stage of reconstruction work.
“Under these new agreements, we have already seen more than $304 million in fast-tracked funding roll out to repair roads and transport infrastructure damaged in natural disasters.” said NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison.
The Tripartite Agreements mean less financial pressure on councils, faster repairs for communities after natural disasters and better collaboration between state and local government agencies.
Tranche one councils
Ballina Shire Council
Byron Shire Council
Clarence Valley Council
Kyogle Council
Lismore City Council
Lithgow City Council
Richmond Valley Council
Tweed Shire Council
Tranche two councils
Blue Mountains City Council
Cabonne Shire Council
Weddin Shire Council
Forbes Shire Council
Lachlan Shire Council
Parkes Shire Council
Shoalhaven City Council
Tenterfield Shire Council
Armidale Regional Council
Central Coast Council
Wingecarribee Shire Council
Tranche three councils
Moree Plains Shire Council
Narrabri Shire Council
Walgett Shire Council
Coonamble Shire Council
Warren Shire Council
Brewarrina Shire Council
Nambucca Valley Council
Kempsey Shire Council
Bellingen Shire Council
Gunnedah Shire Council
Queanbeyan / Palerang Regional Council
Snowy Monaro Regional Council
Kiama Municipal Council
Upper Lachlan Shire Council
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