The bushfire-impacted town of Lithgow will receive a critical boost to its recovery thanks to funding to be delivered through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said more than $1.3 million will go towards two major projects centred around the Secret Creek Sanctuary.
“Funding of $720,00 has been allocated to build a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation hospital adjacent to the Secret Garden Sanctuary,” Mr Toole said.
“This will provide a local venue in Lithgow which is ideally placed for the rescue, rehabilitation and relase of native species into the 1000-acre Newnes Plateau Conservation Reserve.
“Another $615,500 will go towards the construction of a community/visitor centre for Lithgow.
“The venue will serve as an Aboriginal Cultural Centre for the Indigenous group One Mob; a wildlife centre for environmental education; an events space for the local community; and a visitor centre for the Secret Creek Sanctuary.”
The Secret Creek Sanctuary was founded in 2001 and is just a few minutes drive from the centre of Lithgow.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Disaster Recovery John Barilaro said the diverse nature of the Stage Two Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund projects was driven by the specific recovery needs of each community and guided by locally led applications.
“One year has passed since we cleared 3,600 properties damaged or destroyed by the Black Summer bushfires and we are continuing to deliver the support that the Lithgow region needs to keep moving forward in recovery,” Mr Barilaro said.
“People are rebuilding their lives and we are backing projects that will bring communities together, support tourism, provide improved or new social amenity, and increase preparedness to future bushfires. All of these things play a part in recovery.”