Flood-affected residents across the Campaspe Shire will continue to have a dedicated space where they can come to receive advice, support and access to vital services, thanks to support from the Allan Labor Government.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes today officially opened the new location of the Campaspe Community Recovery Hub on Mackay Street, one year on from the devastating floods that affected the region.
Operating out of Rochester, the Hub is a one-stop shop for support services like Anglicare, Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV), Mind Australia, Partners in Wellbeing (EACH), and Bendigo Community Health.
The organisations provide mental health and wellbeing support, financial advice and counselling, and building and planning advice. People can also be connected to specialist services they need that aren't located at the Hub.
It also serves as a place for locals to check in with each other and support one another through the recovery journey - because we know that takes time and everyone's experience is different. Since it opened its doors in July, more than 1,000 visits have been made to the Hub.
Tailored support continues to be available to all affected Victorians via the Flood Recovery Support Program. Recovery Support Workers act as a single point-of-contact to assist with accessing information, advice, and support with housing needs. They can also help residents to get support for their mental health and wellbeing needs.
Recovery programs aimed at helping residents, businesses and other communities recover from the floods, including All-Hazard Structural Assessments, a Clean-up program and temporary accommodation are still available through the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.
The Campaspe Community Recovery Hub has been supported with more than $2 million in funding from the Allan Labor Government and Albanese Labor Government, through the Community Recovery Hubs Program and joint funding arrangements.
Community Recovery Hubs are being established in more than 30 councils across Victoria who have received funding under the Community Recovery Hubs Program in either a mobile or fixed form depending on the needs of their communities.
The Rochester community has consistently come together to identify their needs and Government has listened - establishing a temporary village at Elmore for 350 residents, the Make Safe program for urgent repairs to homes, and more than $24 million to rebuild the Rochester and Heathcote VICSES units and the Rochester Police Station.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"Rochester locals have come a long way since this time last year - but as they know all too well, there's a long way to go. We will continue to stand by affected communities as they recover and will listen to their ongoing needs."
As stated by Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes
"We know how important community connection is to the recovery journey. This Recovery Hub will be a vital resource for the people of Rochester and those flood-affected residents in the surrounding communities."
