Community Recovery Fund
In February 2009, the Victorian and Australian Governments jointly established a $10 million Community Recovery Fund (CRF). Each level of government is contributing $5 million to assist community development and recovery following the devastating bushfires.
The CRF operates in line with the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements and is designed to assist in community recovery, aid community development and strengthen community capacity building for the future.
A Panel (comprising membership from the Commonwealth and State governments and the Municipal Association of Victoria) has been established to oversee the allocation of funding. The CRF will work closely with the Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority to ensure community needs are taken into account in allocating and prioritising projects to be funded.
Direct allocation of funding has so far included:
$3 million for community sports clubs
Funding has been directly allocated in consultation with local governments, sports clubs, state sporting associations and regional sports assemblies.
More than 40 sporting facilities have been identified as being impacted by the bushfires. This funding will assist with the reconstruction and/or replacement of facilities and equipment.
Details of approved projects to date will be available here in the coming weeks.
$1.75 million for Community Development Officers
Funding has been directly allocated. These officers will work with individual local councils and communities to assist with the delivery of recovery services, community development programs and the development of community recovery plans. Community Development Officers are operating from the following local councils; Baw Baw, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Latrobe, Mitchell, Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Wellington, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges.
$2.5 million for memorials in affected communities
Funding support for memorials and commemorative events has been directly allocated to local councils, who will work closely with the established community-led recovery and planning activities to identify appropriate projects within the local community. Contact your local council for further information.
This funding provides communities with the chance to reflect and remember the impact of the devastating bushfires as an important step in recovery. Funding can be used to create community memorials or hold commemorative events to remember the bushfires, to support communities to acknowledge the scale, impact and loss as well as to acknowledge their pride and resilience during recovery.
Further information for Councils
$2.75 million for community grants and local community projects
Community grants funding will be negotiated with local councils and community organisations to support projects and activities identified through the established community-led recovery and planning activities. Projects supported must be included in Community Recovery Plans developed by Community Recovery Committees and endorsed by VBRRA. Community Development Officers, Municipal Recovery Managers and VBRRA Regional Staff will be supporting the planning process.
Funding will be available in affected areas to support:
• Regeneration of community spaces
• Recording bushfire history within communities
• Activities for young people
• Community information activities
Further information will be available here in the coming weeks.
Further Information
Please contact your local council and speak to the Community Development Officer, Municipal Recovery Manager or Community Recovery Committee in your area to discuss recovery activities or project ideas.
| Local Council |
Phone |
| Alpine Shire Council | 5755 0555 |
| Baw Baw Shire Council | 5624 2411 |
| Cardinia Shire Council | 1300 787 624 |
| Corangamite Shire Council | 5593 7100 |
| Greater Bendigo City Council | 5434 6000 |
| Hepburn Shire Council | 5348 2306 |
| Horsham Rural City Council | 5382 9777 |
| Indigo Shire Council | 5728 8000 |
| Latrobe City Council | 1300 367 700 |
| Macedon Ranges Shire Council | 5422 0333 |
| Mitchell Shire Council | 5734 6200 |
| Mount Alexander Shire Council | 5471 1700 |
| Murrindindi Shire Council | 5772 0333 |
| Nillumbik Shire Council | 9433 3111 |
| South Gippsland Shire Council | 5662 9200 |
| Southern Grampians Shire Council | 5573 0444 |
| Wellington Shire Council | 1300 366 244 |
| Whittlesea City Council | 9217 2170 |
| Yarra Ranges Shire Council | 1300 368 333 |
If you are not sure who to contact or which is your local council, please call the VBRRA Bushfire Information Line for assistance on 1800 240 667
Media Release
21 July 2009
Funding Boost puts Kinglake Pony Club Back in the Saddle
Flowerdale Tennis Club Receives Funding Boost
Funding Boost for Marysville Sports Community
16 June 2009
Bushfire Memorials To Mark Victoria’s Blackest Day Tuesday
26 May 2009
Funding Relief For Popular Recreation Reserve in Wandong Media Release - Reserve in Wandong (Word 124 kb)
19 May 2009
$23,000 to Buln Buln Reserve
5 May 2009
Victoria’s support for recovery and rebuilding
15 April 2009
$200,000 for Marysville Golf and Bowls Club
15 April 2009
Premier and Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction - Community Recovery Fund
17 March 2009
$20,000 for Yarra Glen Pony Club
17 March 2009
$50,000 to Steels Creek Tennis Club
10 March 2009
$74,000 to Whittlesea Oval
19 February 2009
Premier and Federal Minister for Families announce $3 million community sports club recovery fund
8 February 2009
Announcement of establishment of Bushfire Appeal Fund and Community Recovery Fund
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