Communities on the bushfire-ravaged NSW south coast hope a potential royal visit by Prince William and his wife Catherine will shine a spotlight on the region and its reconstruction efforts.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected later this week to issue a formal invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge after being in discussions with Kensington Palace about the bushfire tour.
Bega Valley Shire Council mayor Kristy McBain says the visit would keep her devastated community in the forefront of the public's mind.
"The spotlight that follows the royals would transfer to the area," the mayor told AAP on Tuesday.
"It's really nice they get how important it is to use their presence and their stature to highlight how important it is to rebuild and assist small Australian communities."
It's hoped a British royal visit would boost local tourism after bushfires drove many businesses to the brink during what is typically peak season.
"Any additional visitors to our area would be a benefit to a number of our small businesses," Ms McBain said.
Mogo Wildlife Park director Chad Staples says any publicity for the region is positive.
The wildlife park was forced to temporarily close while staff worked to protect animals from fires over summer.
"It's nice we're at least on the radar," Mr Staples told AAP on Tuesday.
"Even if it gives one person a positive moment, it's good."
South Buxton local Jeff Van Der Korput, who used a homemade tanker to defend properties from fire in December, thought a royal visit would be well received.
He said locals would appreciate any attention on the area.
"There's a lot of people, particularly in our Balmoral local area, that feel like they got massively forgotten," he told AAP.
"The fires sort of went through and then went down the coast and we got very left behind here actually, a lot of people feel that way.
"So I think that anyone who takes interest in our particular area now would be well received."
MidCoast Council Mayor David West, whose region was also devastated by fire, said a visit from the royal couple would be "such a boost in the arm of the people that have lost everything in this area".
"It would give them ... an indication that they haven't been forgotten, that their wellbeing is being felt by the leaders of the British Commonwealth of Nations and I can't think of anything better," Mr West told AAP.
The trip would be William's fifth visit to Australia and the couple's first since 2014.
No dates or locations for the potential bushfire tour have been settled.
The prime minister is expected to propose a program in his official letter to the palace.
Australian Associated Press
