The Keilira community has celebrated the completion of a new community precinct in the wake of the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires.


The development received $265,000 in funding from the Federal Government’s Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant Program in 2020.


With the project now complete, the funding has provided a hub for the Keilira community, increasing opportunities to engage, collaborate and connect not only with each other but with other rural farming communities and host recovery and resilience activities.


The $265,000 grant has created a meeting space, clubhouse, improvements to sporting facilities, beautification and safety improvements.


Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the 2019/20 Australian bushfires, also known as the Black Summer bushfires, had a devastating impact on the country.


“The 2019/20 bushfires were unprecedented and devastated local communities, including Keilira,” he said.


“It may not have received the national or international attention of fires like Kangaroo Island but the impact of the Keilira fire on the local community in 2019 was equally as devastating.”


Often referred to as the ‘forgotten fire’, the Keilira blaze burnt through 25,000ha, destroyed three homes, hundreds of kilometres of fencing and killed 3000 sheep and 400 head of cattle.


The former Coalition Government established the Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants to support medium to long-term recovery for affected communities to enhance and strengthen resilience.


“I congratulate the Kingston District Council for the support they gave the local Keilira community during and following the fire event and for managing this fantastic project which has upgraded facilities for the local CFS and created a cohesive and welcoming community hub,” Mr Pasin said.


The Kingston District Council received more than $400,000 in total funding from Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Grant Program.