SUPPORTING COMMUNITY RECOVERY IN THE BALLARAT REGION

The Australian and Victorian Governments are supporting communities to restore treasured recreation areas and facilities damaged by the floods in October and November 2022.

The 2022 floods were one of the worst Victorian flood disasters on record and caused significant damage across 64 of Victoria’s 79 local government areas, affecting many community spaces and assets.

Under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the Federal and State Governments have provided more than $11.8 million to 125 voluntary committees of management.

With this funding, the committees are restoring significant community gathering places and tourist destinations including halls, caravan parks, camping areas and multi-use recreation reserves for use by residents and visitors. The projects will also consider upgrades to improve their resilience against future disasters.

The flood recovery projects range from replacement and upgrade of drainage and power, road repairs, and replacement of fencing, to more complex rebuilding projects.

This program forms part of the $105.5 million Environmental Support Package announced in June, with over $1.17 billion now committed in joint funding for affected Victorian communities since the floods.

Projects in the Ballarat electorate receiving funding include:

·         $15,549 to repair flooring of the cricket pavilion and reinstate garden, sporting facilities and equipment at the Shelford Recreation Reserve.

·         $27,100 to repair and reinstate retaining walls and pathways at Clunes Free Library Reserve garden area.

·         $245,771 to repair and restore internal and external damage to the historical Daylesford Museum Reserve.

·         $5,346 to repair and reinstate the surface at the Daylesford Trotting Track.

·         $4,680 to repair external storage facilities at the Trentham Police Camp Reserve.

·         $191,731 to clear, repair and reinstate walking tracks within the Stoney Creek and Trent Creek Reserves.

·         $33,000 to undertake tree safety works at the Warrenheip Recreation Reserve.

A full list of successful grant recipients is available at deeca.vic.gov.au/grants/voluntary-committees-of-management-flood-recovery.

To learn more about the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements visit disasterassist.gov.au and vic.gov.au/2022-flood-recovery.

Quotes attributable to Member for Ballarat Catherine King:

“This support will fund repairs to halls, recreation reserves and other important facilities, ensuring that community assets in our region are safe and can be best utilised.

“We’re pleased to partner with the Victorian Government to repair the damage of last year’s floods, and build better resilience into our community infrastructure.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas:

“These flood recovery projects will help restore facilities that play an integral role across our community.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Eureka Michaela Settle:

“This important funding will ensure the hardest hit communities from last year’s floods are able to recover as quickly as possible.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon Martha Haylett:

“Last year’s floods had devastating impacts to many communities across our region. Community facilities are the heart of our rural and regional towns - it’s important they are restored and rebuilt for the benefit of local residents.”