Councils and community service organisations will share in up to $7.5 million in grants to support community recovery, redevelopment and prepare for the future after the devastating 2019/20 Victorian Bushfires.
Charities, not-for-profits and other local community service providers across Victoria – as well as 18 Local Government Authorities and four Alpine Resorts – will be eligible to apply for the Bushfire Recovery Grants for Local Government Authorities and Community Service Organisations.
The grants recognise the important role that these key partners play in Victoria’s long-term bushfire recovery journey, with grants of up to $500,000 on offer.
Initiatives that can be supported include economic development programs, local business skill and capacity-building, a community recovery officer to boost local service delivery, and recovery services for groups such as the elderly or multicultural communities. Activities that build resilience for future disasters will also be supported.
The Victorian Government has so far provided over $320 million for bushfire response and recovery after this season’s disaster. This includes over $110 million in the form of Victorian Government-funded or jointly funded grants and initiatives to individuals, businesses, councils and community groups.
The Bushfire Recovery Grants for Local Government Authorities and Community Service Organisations program is part of the $35 million Community Recovery and Resilience Grants Initiative jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments. $7.5 million from the Initiative has been allocated for the grants, which will be administered by Bushfire Recovery Victoria.
The grants are in addition to other grant initiatives announced and administered by Bushfire Recovery Victoria, for community facilities and Aboriginal culture and healing.
Eligible Local Government Authorities are Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga, and the Alpine Resorts of Falls Creek, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Stirling.
To apply for these grants, visit www.brv.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville
“Councils, local community organisations and charities are our partners in bushfire recovery – they’re working hard and if they have projects and activities in the works that will help them do their job, then these grants can make them happen.”
“Bushfire recovery is a long journey and it must be led by communities. We’re proud to have provided over $320 million to the recovery effort, and to be working hand-in-hand with councils and community recovery committees on the task ahead.”
