Councils united in calls for funding

TWO COUNCILS are pleading not to be left high and dry following the Australian Government’s announcement to support communities affected by bushfire.

Grappling with the aftermath of the widespread fires which swept through the regions between September and November 2019, the Lockyer Valley and Somerset Regional councils are rallying together to ensure these two prime agricultural and farming communities can attract the same government support as their neighbouring and interstate councils.

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann said assistance would go a long way in ensuring the two regional communities were able to rebuild after submitting letters for support to the federal government last week.

“It is fantastic the Australian Government have announced financial support to areas including Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Southern Downs and Scenic Rim, but Somerset and Lockyer Valley should also be included,” Cr Lehmann said.

“Council recognises the damage caused to our community and economy by recent bushfires and wants to ensure our residents are equally supported, particularly since the damage in our region was considered significant by comparison to nearby areas.

The fires have had a massive economic impact, destroying fending and grazing land, which has forced fire-affected farmers to destock at considerably lower prices.

“This will take many years to replenish once the drought breaks and the land recovers from the fires,” Cr Lehmann said.

“Our regions have dealt with the full extremes of Mother Nature in previous years, and while we are extremely grateful for the support shown by the Australian Government following previous natural disasters, we shouldn’t be forgotten in these grants and subsidies.”

Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan echoed her counterpart’s comments, detailing the harsh, yet real impacts these fires have had.

“The two regions had a combined seven dwellings destroyed by bushfires in November and December 2019 and significant portions of fencing, grazing and cropping land were also lost,” she said.