{"id":13841,"date":"2021-11-16T02:53:44","date_gmt":"2021-11-16T02:53:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=13841"},"modified":"2021-11-16T02:53:44","modified_gmt":"2021-11-16T02:53:44","slug":"3-million-boost-for-bush-and-border-communities-hit-hard-by-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2021\/11\/16\/3-million-boost-for-bush-and-border-communities-hit-hard-by-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"$3 million boost for bush and border communities hit hard by pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NSW Government today announced $3 million in funding to boost COVID-19 response efforts for small rural and border councils to support their communities.
\nMinister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said\u00a0NSW Partnerships: Local Councils Program \u2013 Stage 2<\/em>\u00a0would provide grants of $90,000 each for 33 bush and border councils.
\n\u201cWhile our State is reopening as COVID-19 restrictions ease and vaccination rates increase, we need to ensure we continue to support our vulnerable communities hardest hit by the pandemic,\u201d Mrs Hancock said.
\n\u201cThe grants, targeted at small rural councils and those adjoining state and territory borders, recognise the additional challenges they have faced during the pandemic such as resource constraints, isolation, the tyranny of distance, border closures and other cross-border impacts.\u201d
\nMrs Hancock said Stage 1 of the program provided funding to the former 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern in Sydney.
\n\u201cNow I am delighted to extend financial support to our small rural and border councils and communities,\u201d Mrs Hancock said.
\n\u201cI also want to congratulate our councils for their dedication and commitment to continuing to support their communities during such unprecedented challenges.\u201d
\nMinister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward said the NSW Government is dedicated to supporting those in need during the pandemic and building community resilience.
\n\u201cThese grants will help ensure critical support for some of our most vulnerable living in our rural and border areas, including Indigenous communities, migrants, seniors, and people with a disability,\u201d Mrs Ward said.
\n\u201cThese council-led initiatives could include caseworkers, bilingual workers, mental health support, communication activities to reach target groups, emergency meals, transport to vaccination hubs, and small business assistance, particularly in tourism and hospitality.
\n\u201cAs COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease and our vaccination rates increase, it\u2019s paramount that we have the right support in place across our rural and border communities to ensure no one is left behind.\u201d
\nThe program will provide funding to the following councils:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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    \n
  • Albury<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Balranald<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Bega Valley<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Berrigan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Bogan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Bourke<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Brewarrina<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Broken Hill<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Carrathool<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Central Darling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Coolamon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Coonamble<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Federation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Gilgandra<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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  • Greater Hume<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Gwydir<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Hay<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Inverell<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Kyogle<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Lockhart<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Moree Plains<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Murray River<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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  • Murrumbidgee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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  • Queanbeyan-Palerang<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Snowy Monaro<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Snowy Valleys<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Tenterfield<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Tweed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Walcha<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Walgett<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    \n
  • Warren<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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    \n
  • Weddin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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