Rochester Community House’s Flood Recovery Fund has topped $223,000 and the community will soon be able to apply for support.
In 2011 there was a cap of about $1500 placed on individual grants, but a figure for the 2023 distribution of the funds has not been confirmed.
The fund will be remain open and the total is increasing daily.
President Jane Reid said the extraordinary generosity of donors would enable RCH to provide tangible support to the Rochester community in the days and weeks ahead, as work continued to rebuild the town and people’s lives.
“We know people are keen to understand what is happening with the funds,” Ms Reid said.
“Currently, the bank account is held in trust and we are unable to access the funds.
“The community house will shortly commence the process to release the funds and determine the application procedure to ensure fair and equitable access for everyone in need of support.
“All aspects of the assessment of applications and distribution of the funds will be overseen by a committee.
“We will actively strive to assist as many people as possible and ensure that support is available both in the short and longer term.
“We know that the recovery is going to take time. We want to be here for the long haul.”
Eligibility criteria will be accessed by the committee this week, along with confirmation of the cap on the distribution of funds.
The committee is aiming to assist as many people as possible, hence a position is expected to be taken that the maximum contribution will reflect the goal of honouring as many applications as possible.
Rochester’s flood-recovery committee met last week, among the topics on the agenda was the challenges facing businesses and community groups attempting to access state government flood recovery grants.
There has been a delay in the distribution of financial assistance since the extensive October flood event.
While many businesses have successfully applied for funding under the Small Business Immediate Flood Relief Program, further funding under the Business and Community Sport Flood Recovery Grants Program is required in order for many businesses and sporting groups to recommence full operation.
RCH flood-recovery co-ordinator Tanya McDermott said one of the challenges with the distribution of these funds was the timing of the flood.
“Eight or nine weeks into the recovery we struck the Christmas and new year holiday period,” Ms McDermott said.
“The whole world shuts down and the people who would normally be sitting in offices processing these payments were just not there.”
Ms McDermott said the committee was aware of the issue and was making inquiries with the relevant authorities on behalf of the community.