Friday, 20 February 2009
Bushfire-affected communities will receive a much-needed boost with grants to host community events, the Brumby Government announced today.
Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the Brumby Government had set aside $200,000 to assist affected communities.
“The Bushfires Community Events Program will provide grants of up to $3000 to local governments and community organisations in fire-affected communities, enabling them to host community events and activities such as gatherings and memorial events that will assist in the recovery process,” Ms Allan said.
“The grants provide an important opportunity for people to gather and share in the recovery and rebuilding process through their social networks.
“Social activities such as community gatherings provide an outlet for communities to share their experiences and provide support and comfort to each other.
“The Bushfires Community Events Program will be a source of immediate assistance at a point when it is critical for communities to be able to act and cement their resilience.”
In addition to the $3000 grants, Ms Allan said a number of other funding sources would become available in the near future to assist councils and community groups in their start to recovery.
They include the $10 million Bushfire Community Recovery Fund and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund run by the Australian Red Cross.
Community Development Minister Peter Batchelor said an estimated 50 local communities in 15 local government areas were directly affected by bushfire, including Yarra Ranges, Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Cardinia, Murrindindi, Mitchell, Alpine, Indigo, Towong, Latrobe, Wellington, Baw Baw, South Gippsland, Horsham and Bendigo.
“Communities are about much more than just buildings, so as well as supporting reconstruction, we also need to support redeveloping social and community networks and giving people a chance to get together is a way of helping in that process,” Mr Batchelor said.
“Many of the areas hit by bushfire are home to some great community festivals and events such as the Bunyip Country Music Festival on Sunday, the Boolarra Folk Festival on March 7, Opera Under the Stars at Coldstream on March 7, and the Mossvale Music Festival on March 14.
“I’d encourage Victorians to attend some of these activities that will help get these communities back on their feet.”
Mr Batchelor said the Brumby Government had also announced funding for Community Recovery Officers, who would support communities to access grants from the Bushfires Community Events Program.
