Council welcomes additional storm grant funding
Thanks to the Victorian Government and Commonwealth Government under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) an additional $320,000 has now been made available to the Yarra Ranges community to continue with recovery efforts following the June 2021 storm.
The funding will enable the popular Healing in our Gardens program to continue and for storm impacted grants to community groups to help specifically with increasing recovery and resilience priorities in the storm-impacted areas.
Grants up to $25,000 are available to groups who have projects or programs that will strengthen the capacity and capability of communities to plan for and lead their own recovery from the June 2021 storm, as well as build community resilience to future disasters.
Yarra Ranges Mayor Cr Jim Child said the residents that were impacted by the June 2021 storm have not been forgotten.
“We know that there are still some of our residents, particularly in the Hills area, that continue to recover – and we know that this can take time. There have been several successful programs held over the past 18 months and more is coming following the successful distribution of $270,000 worth of grant money from the four regional community recovery committees.
“These local committees have proved very successful and Round Two is now open for the Valley, Urban and Upper Yarra groups with the Hills to follow soon.
“This has also been made possible thanks to the Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Fund who will once again be supporting Council with the administration and management of these storm-impacted grants.
“The Healing in our Gardens program has allowed residents to meet up with other like-minded people through garden inspired events, activities and resources. These funds means that additional activities can now be funded such as propagation sessions, more garden tours and garden resources,” said Cr Child.
The Community-Led Recovery Storm Support Grants will be open from 7 February until 14 March and provide an opportunity for community to identify, plan for and deliver projects that are important to them.
These projects/programs could include, for example:
- Mental health support initiatives
- Financial Counselling
- Community preparedness initiatives
- Equipment
- Identifying and supporting the needs of vulnerable people
- Signage / communications /notice boards
- Emergency preparedness information sessions Community engagement projects and events which encourage inclusion and participation
- Community morning teas / dinners / walking groups
