Federal Member for Macquarie

LOUISE MARKUS MP

Federal Member for Macquarie

Joint Media Release

January 2015

Round 2 Flexible Grants Roll Out to Mountains Community

Louise Markus, Federal Member for Macquarie, together with Roza Sage, State Member for Blue Mountains,is pleased to announce the second phase of the joint Federal-State Government $1.8 million package under the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).

Just over 12 months after the devastating October 2013 Bushfires burnt through communities in the Blue Mountains, Round 2 of the Blue Mountains Flexible Community Grants Programme is rolling out.

Under this programme the Mountains Outreach Community Service (MOCS) will receive $24,334 towards the facilitation of their project for preparedness and fire plan development for the local community.

Mrs Markus said, “MOCS will implement one of many projects projected towards the recovery of the Blue Mountains region. It’s really about engaging with the community about being practically and strategically prepared so that in the event of an emergency, all families are taken care of.”

Mrs Markus and Mrs Sage met withManager Lynette Bevington, Elain Cameron and Lyn Smith of the Mountains Outreach Centre today to congratulate them for receiving one of ten Round 2 Community Grants.

State Member for Blue Mountains Roza Sage said, “The upheaval we have faced in the Blue Mountains since the devastating bushfires has taught us the fundamental importance of preparation when it comes to natural disasters.

“This grant for MOCS is particularly important with the program’s focus on support for young families.MOCS does fantastic work in our community and I am certain this project will be a continuation of that invaluable contribution.

“I am proud to deliver these grants which are giving our community the help it needs to continue to renew following the bushfires and also to ensure we are ready for any future disasters,” Mrs Sage said.

“These projects have greatly contributed to the rebuilding of community strength, and assisted in the economic recovery of the Blue Mountains region.With the continuing roll out of the Round 2 Grants, emphasis will continue to be placed upon community engagement and forward planning against the dangers of natural disasters and emergencies in the Blue Mountains,” Mrs Markus said.

This second round of 10 grants total $367,979.79 of joint State-Federal Government money, and are being rolled out in addition to the first round of grants to22 recipients in the Blue Mountains community.

This project will undertake a community action research and education approach, working withthe particularly vulnerable, including 100 families with young children, to identify and understand their needs in preparing for the incident of an emergency.

“We are proud to support these innovative projects which the Blue Mountains community has proposed to address the social and economic impact of the devastating bushfires last year. The manner in which the community has moved forward, selflessly assisting each other in the year since the disaster has been inspirational and worthy of recognition,” Mrs Markus concluded.

A list of successful Round 2 applicants and projects is available at

Media Contact: KieranPound on 02 4577 2631