NSW Minister for Small Business and Minister for Recovery, the Hon. Janelle Saffin MP, visited the Bega electorate this week to meet with local communities, small businesses and recovery leaders, alongside Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland MP.
The visit highlighted the significant progress made through bushfire recovery programs and promoted available support mechanisms and services for small businesses across the region. While our communities have shown incredible resilience through the 2019 bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and major flooding events, recovery is a long road and there is still more work to do.
Since 2019, more than $110 million has been invested across the Bega and Eurobodalla regions in recovery and preparedness measures from repairing essential infrastructure and community facilities to mental health support, clean-up works and employment services.
The NSW government is also investing in long-term disaster preparedness through Australia’s first State Disaster Mitigation Plan, regional Disaster Adaptation Plans and partnerships with the Commonwealth through the Disaster Ready Fund to help build safer, stronger and more resilient communities for the future.
Minister Saffin began her visit at the Bega Showground, where she inspected completed works funded through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) Fund, including a $15 million investment in community infrastructure.
The impressive project delivered:
- Restoration of a heritage-listed pavilion
- Construction of a new two-level community building
- Development of facilities designed to function as an evacuation centre in times of emergency
- Upgrades to campgrounds and on-site caretaker accommodation
The revitalised showground will strengthen Bega’s capacity to host events, support local economic activity, and provide a vital refuge during disasters.
Dr Holland also hosted The Minister for roundtable forums with local chambers of commerce and business leaders from Eden, Bermagui, Tathra, Merimbula, Bega, Batemans Bay, and Mogo.
Discussions focussed on:
- Ongoing recovery challenges following bushfires
- Opportunities to strengthen regional economies
- Practical support for small business growth and resilience
Small businesses are the backbone of regional communities and we heard firsthand about the pressures created by rising costs and global uncertainty. The NSW Government is focused on practical reforms to help businesses grow and succeed, including workers compensation reforms cutting red tape, improving access to government procurement opportunities and expanding support through a new business advisory service and the Service NSW Business Bureau.
In Cobargo, Minister Saffin met with the Cobargo Community Development Corporation Limited to review progress on the $20 million Rebuild Cobargo Project, also supported through joint NSW and federal funding.
The visit also included a site inspection of the Bushfire Resilience Centre, expected to open in 2026. The centre will play a key role in disaster preparedness, education and community connection.
In Mogo, Minister Saffin met with the Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council to see their rebuilt home using $2.9 million of joint funding. We discussed the importance of Indigenous leadership and knowledge in disaster resilience and how to foster relationships between Indigenous groups and the emergency management and resilience sector.
The visit concluded in Batemans Bay, where Minister Saffin inspected coastal protection works at Long Beach, currently underway to safeguard local communities from future storm and erosion risks.
Quotes attributable to Janelle Saffin, Minister for Recovery and Minister for Small Business:
“Touring the region with ‘Doc’ Holland has been incredibly valuable. The communities I have visited have shown incredible spirit and resilience.
“I know firsthand that recovery is a long process with its ups and downs. Seeing places like Cobargo, they have done remarkably well given the utter devastation and trauma they’ve been through. They are beautiful, dedicated communities, but they still need a bit of support to finish what they’ve started, and we are here to back them for the long haul.
“Combining the recovery and small business portfolios is about looking at how community rebuilding translates to economic survival.
“Traveling from Merimbula up through Bega, Cobargo, Mogo and to Batemans Bay, I wanted to sit down with local operators at our roundtables to hear how the last few years have actually gone.
“Small businesses on the Far South Coast have faced a relentless run with fires, floods, and COVID. Our job as a government is to listen to those raw insights and ensure our support is practical, flexible, and cuts through red tape to help them thrive.”
Quotes attributable to Dr Michael Holland MP, Member for Bega
“This visit provided an opportunity to highlight the progress our communities have made while ensuring voices continue to help shape ongoing recovery efforts.”
“Small businesses shape the character of our towns and villages. These conversations are vital to making sure our economy remains strong and resilient. We know you can’t govern solely from Macquarie Street—direct engagement matters. The insights Minister Saffin gathered here will help ensure the perspectives of small businesses on the far south coast are heard and taken into account.”
MEDIA:
Lisa Miller | Dr Michael Holland MP Member for Bega | 02 6492 2056
