Bushfire-affected residents are getting a helping hand from the state government to ease the burden of rebuilding their lives.
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The government will pay for council rates for six months for those who have lost their home or small business in the recent bushfires.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward welcomed the announced on Wednesday.
"The last thing victims of the bushfires need right now is more financial stress, which is why the NSW Government is doing everything to ease the pressure by funding council rates and picking up the bill for the clean-up, at no cost to owners," he said.
"Our community, our emergency services, our volunteers and our farmers have been outstanding throughout the fires, and we need to be as vigilant in recovery as they are in the face of disaster.
"The government is committed to cutting red tape and reducing the financial burden for individuals who have lost their homes."
The NSW Government will cover the full cost of council rates for the third and fourth quarters of this financial year for residents and farmers who have lost their homes, and business owners whose properties have been destroyed beyond repair by bushfires.
Affected residents will soon be able to take their council rates notice to a Service NSW centre and the government will cover the cost. Anyone who has already paid their rates will receive a refund.
Small businesses and councils that have been affected by bushfires can also apply for financial assistance packages from the NSW and Commonwealth governments.
"The financial support includes grants of up to $50,000 for small businesses directly affected by bushfire, up to $250,000 to Local Government Areas, a Bushfire Working Capital Loan of up to $50,000 and low interest loans of up to $500,000 to eligible small businesses, primary producers and not-for-profits in bushfire impacted council areas," Mr Ward said.