Communities affected by the devastating 2009 Victorian bushfires will share in $1.3 million in further funds from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund for projects identified as rebuilding priorities by local community recovery committees.
The Premier John Brumby today said funding would go to projects as diverse as re-establishing fire ravaged walking trails in Gippsland’s picturesque Mt Baw Baw region to building a community noticeboard in the tiny town of Stanley in Victoria’s north-east.
“We will continue to stand by communities after the worst natural disaster in Australia’s history and support them as they continue to rebuild their lives, homes and communities,” Mr Brumby said.
“A noticeboard might seem like a small thing but for the Stanley community it’s about creating a central place for information, particularly during this very difficult time as people are rebuilding.
“While in the Mt Baw Baw area, where there was extensive damage to many local reserves and where the natural environment plays such an important part in daily life, rejuvenating local walking trails is a priority meaning families and visitors alike can get out and enjoy the open spaces.
"Today’s announcement of the next round of community projects, funded by money so generously donated by people from Victoria, Australia and across the world, will go a long way to supporting communities achieve their goals of rebuilding strong communities.”
The Prime Minister and Premier announced a $193 million package to drive recovery in communities across Victoria through the rebuilding of schools, sporting clubs, health and early childhood centres, community hubs and iconic natural sites destroyed or damaged in the fires.
The Rebuilding Together package set out the rebuilding priorities which have been drive by local communities to rebuild essential town buildings and services, to generate business growth and investment and to rehabilitate key local attractions central to their future prosperity.
Other community projects to share in the latest round of funding include local arts and cultural events; a rural land management project and a bushfire education scheme. They bring to 121 the total number of projects to date to receive funding through Rebuilding Together.
Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority chair Christine Nixon said the authority continues to work closely with the Appeal Fund and 33 local community recovery committees across bushfire affected areas to ensure the right projects are being delivered.
“Communities themselves are deciding their rebuilding priorities and outlining their plans for the future. These formed the basis for Rebuilding Together and we’re now focused on bringing these projects to fruition,” Ms Nixon said.
Appeal Fund chair Pat McNamara said the funding reflects the projects identified provided practical support to bushfire-affected communities whilst reflecting the intention of the donors who gave so generously in the aftermath of the Black Saturday fires.
The following projects have been approved:
|
Project
|
Local Community Recovery Committee
|
$
|
|
Baw Baw District Memorial Walking Tracks
|
Longwarry, Labertouche and Jindivick
|
$354,514
|
|
Community Events for Boolarra and Yinnar
|
Boolarra and Yinnar
|
$39,500
|
|
Stanley Noticeboard
|
Indigo
|
$12,650
|
|
Kinglake Men’s Shed
|
Kinglake
|
$315,000
|
|
Kinglake Rural Land Management in a Post Fire Environment
|
Kinglake Ranges
|
$39,600
|
|
Sustainable Gardening Production and Distribution of an Information Guide for Kinglake Ranges
|
Kinglake Ranges
|
$12,725
|
|
Kinglake Ranges Community Information Nights
|
Kinglake Ranges
|
$18,000
|
|
Community Get Together Social Occasion and Supportive Events
|
Murmungee
|
$11,500
|
|
Vegetation Enhancement and Education within Strath Creek Township
|
Strath Creek
|
$52,000
|
|
Signage for Strath Creek Historical and Natural Attractions Trail
|
Strath Creek
|
$10,500
|
|
Community Based Fire Safety Awareness and Planning in Strathewen
|
Strathewen
|
$40,000
|
|
Rolling Calendar of Events Programs for Toolangi and Castella Communities
|
Toolangi/Castella
|
$25,000
|
|
Toolangi and Castella Social Art Project- Mural for the CJ Dennis Hall
|
Toolangi and Castella
|
$5,000
|
|
Traralgon South Red Hill Road to Michelle Boulevard Walking Track
|
Traralgon South and District
|
$185,000
|
|
Traralgon South Historical Project
|
Traralgon South and District
|
$33,000
|
|
Community Connectedness and Capacity Building for Yarra Ranges
|
Yarra Ranges
|
$110,000
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
$1.3 million
|