Relief Payment for Local Government
Bushfire-affected councils will share in $9 million from the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund, to deliver disaster-related services that directly benefit residents. Local government has played a significant role in guiding the recovery of local communities and are best-placed to deliver these services, such as trauma and grief counselling, to their communities.
The Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBRRA) headed by Christine Nixon will have oversight of this payment in consultation with Local Government Victoria.
The Authority will work closely with all the shire councils affected by the bushfires and will ensure that proposals nominated by shire councils will benefit people and families directly affected by the bushfires.
Funding priority will be given to the most severely affected councils.
How much money is available through the Local Government Relief Package?
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Advisory Panel has announced a $9 million package to councils affected by the 2009 bushfires. This funding will be provided to directly benefit residents in these locations.
How much money will each Shire Council receive?
The individual amounts will be decided on the basis of need and hardship by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Panel in consultation with the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority and Local Government Victoria.
The ceiling amount will be endorsed by the Panel. Councils will be advised of a ceiling fund amount available to them.
What is the process for applying for funds?
Proposals for funding must be related to the identified categories of need as endorsed by the Panel (see below).
Each Council will be required to submit their proposals and apply for the grants through an application to the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority. The Authority will use Local Government Victoria’s expertise to assist in the administration and assessment of the proposals.
The Panel will make a final endorsement on each proposal.
How will the payments be spent?
The categories of funding have been developed in consultation with VBRRA, Local Government Victoria and the Municipal Association of Victoria.
They reflect the practical needs of affected local governments and are designed to respond to identified hardships.
They include grief and trauma counselling for staff, volunteers and community, education and awareness regarding bushfire preparedness and establishment and running of disaster emergency services and support for volunteers to respond to the immediate needs of bushfire victims.