Construction is complete at the Bellbrook School of Arts Hall, finishing the much needed installation of an amenities block, accessibility ramp and car park for the property.
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Kempsey Shire Council was awarded $145,000 from the Federal Government's National Recovery Bushfire Plan to put towards the amenities block.
Followed by $35,000 from the Australian and NSW Government's Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund for the accessibility ramp, footpath and car park.
Council commercial business manager, Gayleen Burley, said it was rewarding to deliver a tangible benefit to this community who fought so hard during the 2019 bushfires.
"This is a wonderful venue in good times, but it is also important to maintain this hall in preparation for future disasters, to ensure these small but resilient communities have support and services readily available when needed," Ms Burley said.
Senator Bridget McKenzie is pleased with the Council's decision to upgrade Bellbrook Hall saying community spaces provided people with a sense of belonging and can be important meeting places during a disaster.
"Since 2020, the Liberal Nationals Government has provided Kempsey Shire Council $1.4 million through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and I'm pleased that the Council has allocated some of that funding to upgrade the historic Bellbrook Hall," Minister McKenzie said.
"I am advised that Bellbrook Hall was a meeting place during the Black Summer Bushfires and has provided a welcoming and safe space for people who are socially isolated, vulnerable and in need of support."
Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey, said the funding was designed to help out eligible local councils for immediate, community-led recovery and economic activities.
"The program delivered $7.5 million, co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments, to support local business recovery and assist our local communities in overcoming the economic and social impacts of the devastating bushfires," Mrs Pavey said.
"The Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund is one part of the $4.5 billion overarching bushfire support program co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments for bushfire recovery, response and preparedness in NSW."
