The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Package is part of the $4.5 billion bushfire support program co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments for bushfire recovery, response and preparedness in NSW.
Key information
- Status: Closed
- Grant amount: The grant funding for individual projects is dependent on the project type.
- Application opened: 27 October 2020
- Application closed: 28 January 2021, 5:00 pm
Program objective
BLER funding is supporting job retention and creation in bushfire impacted regions, strengthening community resilience and reducing the impact of future natural disasters.
This program is funded and administered by Department of Regional NSW.
Eligibility
Who can apply
- Councils
- Joint Organisation of Councils
- not-for-profit organisations, including business chambers, industry associations and charities
- research or academic organisations
- State Government corporations
- Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
For-profit organisations and state government agencies may be considered eligible applicants only where projects will deliver a clear public benefit.
Who can’t apply
Ineligible applicants include:
- an individual or group of individuals (including sole traders and partnerships)
- an unincorporated association (including trusts) that is not a registered not-for-profit organisation
- discretionary investment trusts that are not a registered not-for-profit organisation.
Types of projects funded under this grant
Example projects for:
- Enabling infrastructure: shared pathway, bike paths and pedestrian access; restoration of bushfire impacted roads.
- Industry and business development: regional events; remote working facilities and campaigns to boost regional economies.
- Social development: pools and other amenities; community mental health programs.
- Natural environment and resource development: regeneration activities; breakwater and other coastal protection
- Built environment adaption: fire resistant infrastructure; fire-resistant streetscaping; upgrades to mobile communication security
What can’t you apply for
Infrastructure and programs are not eligible
for funding if they:
- are for the day-to-day delivery of essential or core local government services
- have exclusive private benefits or provide direct commercial and/or exclusive private benefit to an individual or business.
What your application needs to include
Prepare your application with this checklist
Category 1 ($200,000 to $1 million):
- Completed application form and project plan
Category 2 (Over $1 million):
- Completed application form and business case
Address the eligibility criteria
To be eligible projects must:
- support the recovery of the local community’s economy, social wellbeing, environment or improve resilience to future natural disasters
- be able to commence within six months of the funding deed being executed
- and be completed by 30 June 2023
- align with one of the following categories:
- enabling infrastructure
- industry and business development
- social development
- natural environment and resource development
- built environment adaption.
Address the assessment criteria
All applications meeting the eligibility criteria must also meet the assessment criteria, including:
- alignment with regional objectives
- local support and participation
- need for project
- feasibility
- enduring benefit.
After the application is submitted
Projects are assessed against the eligibility requirements and the assessment criteria.
Support and contact
Email: bler@regional.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 1300 679 673