The Jenolan Caves Trust will receive an injection of almost $8 million for repair and restoration work at the iconic tourism precinct as part of a targeted flood recovery program, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole announced on Tuesday.
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The $7.9 million investment is recognition of the value the world heritage-listed site as for the region, and the state, and the funding is being provided due to the unique nature of requirements to repair flood damage to it.
The flood recovery funding is part of a $200 million package made of eight key sector programs, as well as another $200 million to support rebuilding damaged infrastructure to disaster-resilient standards.
"It is anticipated that over the next two years, remediation work will make the Jenolan Caves precinct safe and restore access for visitors," Mr Toole said.
"More than 70 [local government areas] were affected by storms and floods earlier this year, with 9,700 people seeking direct support and assistance from local Recovery Centres and more than 34,000 seeking advice and assistance from Service NSW's Disaster Customer Care Centre since March.
"The first two phases of recovery have already delivered significant funding supporting clean-up and providing dedicated grants for small businesses, primary producers and not- for-profits.
"This new $400 million package of funds recognises the ongoing need to help industries bounce back, keep on staff, rebuild the infrastructure of our towns and safeguard the resilience of our local economies and people.
"The importance of this recovery package can't be underestimated."
The funding has been made available under shared NSW and Commonwealth Government disaster funding arrangements.
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