The Andrews Labor Government is continuing to help vulnerable Campaspe residents who are still displaced from last year's floods who will be supported into new temporary accommodation following the upcoming closure of Elmore Village.
Acting Minister for Emergency Services Anthony Carbines announced Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) has begun delivering short-term modular housing to the Rochester Caravan Park to provide temporary accommodation for eligible Rochester residents currently living at Elmore Village.
Twenty short-term modular houses will be available in the coming weeks for flood-affected people, with priority given to residents transitioning from Elmore Village - the emergency accommodation space at the site of the Elmore Field Days, which was set up in response to Rochester locals wishing to remain close to the town.
The homes come in one, two and three-bedroom designs and include a split kitchen and living area, a bathroom, and a deck. The homes are furnished and can be customised to meet specific needs such as mobility access requirements.
Their location at Rochester Caravan Park means residents will be closer to their homes and can start to re-settle back into the community. The temporary homes were previously provided to residents affected by the 2019-20 bushfires who have now completed their rebuild.
The modular housing is one option that the Government and ERV are offering residents still recovering from the floods, with tailored support being made available to all affected Victorians via the Flood Recovery Support Program.
The program includes a Recovery Support Worker for every displaced resident to act as a single point-of-contact to help with accessing information, advice, and support with housing needs.
Recovery Support Workers can also help residents to get support for their mental health and wellbeing needs, with Anglicare Victoria, MIND and Echuca Regional Health all providing services in Rochester. Mental health and recovery supports are also available Monday to Friday in person at the recovery hub currently operating out of Rochester Community House.
With the upcoming closure of Elmore Village, Anglicare Victoria's Recovery Support Workers are working closely with flood-affected residents to provide tailored support and a clear pathway to secure accommodation.
To date, more than 300 people have accessed emergency accommodation at Elmore Village. Most of those residents have been supported into suitable alternative accommodation - public housing, private rental accommodation, or a return to their original homes.
Fewer than 80 people remain at Elmore Village, and all will be supported into suitable accommodation ahead of Elmore Village's closure if they cannot return to their own homes.
More than $10 million in emergency relief and re-establishment payments have been provided to flood-affected people in Campaspe, including Echuca and Rochester, with more than 460 organisations in the Campaspe Shire receiving flood relief and recovery funding valued at $3.5 million.
As stated by Acting Minister for Emergency Services Anthony Carbines
"Since last year's devastating floods, we've stood with flood-affected Victorians every step of the way as they recover and rebuild. We are continuing this support with the roll-out of temporary housing in Rochester."
"We know how important it is for people to stay connected to their community when recovering from disaster - so people can keep close to loved ones, keep going to work and school, and stay connected as one."
As stated by Emergency Recovery Victoria CEO Mariela Diaz
"We know that each person's experience is unique and there is no "one size fits all" approach to recovery, and that's why we are continuing to roll-out a range of different accommodation options to suit each person's circumstances and help them on their recovery journey."
"ERV continues to support all flood-affected residents across the state with a range of programs and supports to help them get back on their feet and return to their communities."
