Renewal works for community facilities in Buchan, nature trail upgrades on Mount Hotham, more protection against power outages in the Upper Murray and new arena lighting for the Omeo Rodeo Association are among 15 community projects to receive funding across bushfire-affected areas in Victoria.
Announcing further Local Economic Recovery grants today, Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville congratulated applicants on the project ideas which will help communities meet their long-term local priorities.
Local community projects funded as part of the Australian and Victorian Governments' $68.6 million Local Economic Recovery program (LER) in East Gippsland include:
- $924,960 to revitalise Livingstone Park, the 25-hectare centerpiece of Omeo
- $426,048 to establish a multi-purpose community facility at Tambo Crossing
- $341,600 to upgrade Omeo Rodeo facilities, including new arena lighting and new family-friendly amenities
- $184,617 to rebuild tennis courts at the Genoa Sports Club
- $140,000 to the Children With Additional Needs Working Group to support recovery and resilience building
- $118,127 to the Buchan, Gelantipy and District Renewal Association to upgrade
Wulgulmerang Sports Ground, Gelantipy Hall, Buchan Recreation Reserve and Buchan Hall
- $115,000 to upgrade Marlo's Triangle Park and playground
- $114,688 to upgrade the Swan Reach netball court surface and install new floodlights
- $75,000 to upgrade the Nowa Nowa boat ramp and jetty
Projects funded in Victoria's North East include:
- $800,000 to support Upper Murray Inc's plan to protect communities against power outages and reduce running costs by installing energy nodes
- $544,645 to refurbish the Towong Soldiers Memorial Hall and provide better access
- $473,838 to upgrade the Walwa Services Memorial Hall and enable to function as a refuge during emergencies
- $387,384 to upgrade courts at the Corryong Tennis Club
- $295,860 to upgrade Kergunyah Hall, the only community space in the Kergunyah and surrounds
- $189,000 to improve the surface and drainage on the Possum loop track and Dargo lookout trail within the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort
Applications have now closed for LER grants of up to $5 million for major economic stimulus projects, and two further rounds of local community project grants of up to $2 million will open this year.
Projects already funded under the Local Economic Recovery program include $8 million in economic programs to support jobs, apprenticeships, farmers and businesses across the fire-affected area and five other local community projects in East Gippsland and Victoria's North East.
Practical support from local suppliers is also on offer to Community Recovery Committees to assist with the grant application process, such as grant writing and project scoping.
To learn more about the Local Economic Recovery program in Victoria, or see what else you might be eligible for, visit www.brv.vic.gov.au, contact 1800 560 760 or visit a local Bushfire Recovery Hub.
As stated by Lisa Neville, Minister for Police and Emergency Services
"Whether it's upgrading halls, sporting facilities and parklands in the heart of town, or upgrading nature trails in the pristine Alpine region, projects like these are at the heart of our community-led approach to bushfire recovery."
"The Local Economic Recovery Program is funding major economic stimulus projects, but also smaller, local-level projects which make a huge difference in town and bring new life to much-loved facilities."
"Further rounds of Local Economic Recovery funding for local community projects will be available this year, ensuring communities have the time they need to determine their local priorities and get their ideas right."
