A new Agency is to be established to coordinate a national plan to rebuild communities devastated by bushfires.
Announced by Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, the National Bushfire Recovery Agency is to open with an initial $2 billion in funding.
Mr Morrison said the new Agency would ensure the work of State and Territory Governments is supported and would act as a ‘one stop shop’ central team to coordinate responses.
“While the immediate focus for our emergency services and the Australian Defence Force is keeping people safe and defending against the fires hitting so many areas, we also need to be ready to hit the ground in communities where the fire-front has passed to help them rebuild,” Mr Morrison said.
“We will do whatever it takes.”
He said the Agency would be led by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner, Andrew Colvin and modelled on the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency established following the 2019 North Queensland floods, as well as the experience of the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.
He said the Agency’s key tasks would include building working relationships with State, Territory and local Governments and stakeholders to integrate recovery activities.
The Prime Minister said the Agency would also provide advice and recommendations to Government on the economic and social impacts of affected communities.
He said the Agency would develop and coordinate the delivery of a long-term plan for the recovery of bushfire-affected communities.
The Agency will work within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and report to the Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management.
