Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education
Joint media release
Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience
The Hon Jaclyn Symes
Victorian Minister for Emergency Management
The Hon Mary-Anne Thomas
Victorian Minister for Agriculture
The Australian and Victorian Governments are continuing to support the recovery of the Victorians impacted by the June storms and floods through the delivery of community-led recovery initiatives and primary producer recovery grants.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the $14.47 million in funding will help producers get back to business and allow communities to come together and plan for their recovery.
"We know that recovery is most effective when all levels of government and communities work together to ensure assistance measures address the unique needs of impacted communities and contribute to their longer-term resilience," Minister McKenzie said.
"This funding includes over $1 million to support community recovery committees, groups and Traditional Owners to organise local recovery support and $630,000 to fund their planning activities.
"It also includes up to $12.8 million in recovery grants of up to $25,000 for primary producers. These grants will allow primary producers to remove fallen trees, repair damaged farm infrastructure and address landslips and erosion so they can get their businesses and properties back on track.
"As communities across Victoria continue to face such adversities, all levels of government will persevere in providing them the support they need."
Victorian Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes said that the funding shows the commitment to place communities at the heart of recovery.
"Locally-led recovery is about ensuring that farmers and communities can make their own decisions, in their own time - this announcement helps make that happen."
Victorian Minister for Agriculture the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas said the grants for primary producers are a welcome relief for farmers who were hard hit by the storms and floods.
"Our Victorian farmers are extremely resilient and work hard each and every day - this support will help them manage the challenges created by the June storms and floods and fast-track their recovery."
