Today Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips MP and Member for South Coast, Liza Butler MP are thrilled to announce the completion of the $225,000 Forest Recovery Project at Milton Rural Landcare Nursery.
Mrs Phillips was pleased to take the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on a tour of the Milton Rural Landcare Nursery to showcase the amazing ongoing recovery of the South Coast after the Black Summer Bushfires.
The project, funded by the joint Australian and NSW Government Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, has provided on ground support to 15 property owners in the Milton Ulladulla area to control weeds and manage regenerating bushland.
Local Landcare volunteers identified areas that had recently burnt which would be highly susceptible to infestation by weeds. These weeds compete for resources with the local native plants, but they also create large fuel loads which can then become another bushfire hazard.
In addition to reducing bushfire fuel loads, the volunteers propagated plants using seeds and cuttings collected from local native plants which were replanted to revegetate damaged landscapes.
“I was on the ground every day during, and in the many months after the bushfires. I met with many local people who were not only devastated by the loss of their homes, but equally by the loss of the bushland they loved so much,” Mrs Phillips said.
“That was where the seeds of this project were sown, in those conversations surrounded by charred and blackened bushland – now finally regenerating into colour and life once more,” Mrs Philips continued.
"I spent a long time speaking with Ministers and Shadow Ministers, calling for better funding support, not just for individuals, but for our environment as well,” Mrs Phillips said.
As a result, Fiona said she was pleased to support the community’s successful application on behalf of the Milton Rural Landcare Nursery for $225,000 under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
“This is a massive community effort – it’s so wonderful to see volunteers, government and community working together for such great outcomes. It was so exciting to show the Prime Minister firsthand how our South Coast spirit is helping us to recover and build our resilience – he was thrilled,” Mrs Phillips said.
Liza Butler MP took the opportunity to reflect on her experience of community resilience after the bushfires.
“I am thrilled to see funding for this project, I would like to thank Fiona Phillips MP and the Federal Government for helping secure this funding.” Ms Butler said.
“I know firsthand the devasting effects the bushfires had on our community, it’s the reason I decided to stand for the seat of South Coast. Seeing some much beautiful bushland turned to charcoal was truly heartbreaking, I am so pleased to see this funding secured to help regenerate native plants and control dangerous weed growth.” Ms Butler concluded.
Forest Recovery Project coordinator Penelope Lumb spoke about the success of the project and used the opportunity to thank Mrs Phillips for her ongoing support.
“Fiona [Phillips] was fantastic throughout this whole process, she listened to our concerns and helped us secure the funding to get this project off the ground, I want to thank her for her efforts,” Ms Lumb said.
“The project has been so good for the community, we’ve been able to control huge amounts of invasive weeds, and the planting program has been very effective,” Ms Lumb concluded.
“This is just one of the amazing projects I’ve been proud to champion since the bushfires, from Kiama to Tuross Head, out to Sassafras and everything in between,” Mrs Phillips said.
“Initiatives like the Forest Recovery Project are so important for bushfire recovery, because locals know what we need best, and in my view we should be supporting them to achieve what they require,” Mrs Phillips said.
“I worked hard to get everything possible for my community following these disasters. I’ll continue to work tirelessly to ensure we can continue our recovery and build our resilience into the future,” Mrs Phillips said.
The Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund is jointly funded by the Federal and NSW State Governments. The funding from this grant has been used to implement the Forest Recovery Project.
