More than 240 landholders across the Northern Tablelands have received over $5 million to help rebuild boundary fencing bordering public lands destroyed during the 2019-20 bushfire season.
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Eligible landholders can still receive grants from the 'Supporting our Neighbours' program and are being urged to apply through Local Land Services (LLS), with applications closing on Wednesday, 31 March 2021.
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LLS Executive Director, Regional Operations Rob Kelly said on average Northern Tablelands landholders have received about $20,000 through the program to help cover the cost of lost boundary fencing.
"The road to recovery is long, but we're still here to help people rebuild and reshape their properties after the devesting bushfires," Mr Kelly said.
"Through this program, we can provide up to $5,000 per kilometre to purchase materials to rebuild fire damaged boundary fences with your public lands neighbour.
"So far, we have been able to help fund around 1,000km of fencing across the Northern Tablelands, which is great, but it's important people continue to apply so they don't miss out.
"This is one of the easiest support programs you will come across as we have a team of dedicated fencing coordinators to walk applicants through the entire process."
Glen Innes cattle farmer David Donnelly's property was severely damaged during the 2019-20 summer bushfires, losing 4.6km of boundary fencing bordering public lands.
Mr Donnelly said the $23,000 he received through the Supporting our Neighbours program to help purchase fencing materials was crucial to getting his property up and running again.
"Losing boundary fencing made life very difficult on the farm, so it was critical to replace it as quickly as possible after the fires had gone through," Mr Donnelly said.
"The staff at LLS helped every step of the way throughout the application process, and thanks to them we were able finalise the funds very quickly.
"This money helped not only to replace my damaged boundary fencing, but also allowed me to upgrade it to a better standard than before the fires, which will be great in the long run."
Grants can be issued retrospectively to help cover the costs for those who have already replaced their fencing.
Applications close on March 31, 2021, with a dedicated team processing new applications as quickly as possible over the coming months. To find out if you are eligible and to apply, visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/fencing or call 1300 778 080.
