Residents and businesses in Campaspe Shire have used a range of grants and flood support services.
Emergency Recovery Victoria and Agriculture Victoria supported various grants, payments and programs, including the Primary Producer Flood Recovery package, and the creation of recovery hubs and recovery officers which are still accessible to residents.
In Campaspe Shire, Emergency Recovery Victoria provided more than $10 million in emergency relief and re-establishment payments and $5.8 million of grant assistance to local businesses, chambers, not-for-profits and community sporting organisations.
Up to $35.49 million was provided for immediate and short-term accommodation in Elmore and $1.5 million for Campaspe Shire Council for clean-up and restoration services.
The Campaspe Community Recovery Hub received $1,924,145 for recovery services, including legal, financial and business advice, as well as mental health support.
The hub is staffed by community recovery officers who are employed by council to support social, economic and environmental recovery, working with multiple agencies to ensure the specific recovery needs of the community are addressed.
“Following heavy rainfall in Victoria in October 2022 which led to devastating and prolonged flooding across the state, the Victorian Government, through Emergency Recovery Victoria, announced a package of supports designed to help communities on their recovery journey,” an Emergency Recovery Victoria spokesperson said.
“Support to Campaspe Shire, and other affected local government areas included the Recovery Support Program and the Clean-Up Program that included access to free structural assessments. These were available to be accessed online or through the Flood Recovery Hotline.
“A variety of grants were delivered to support impacted communities with their relief and recovery needs. These included funding for essential roles and ongoing services, including community recovery officers and community recovery hubs.
“The Campaspe Community Recovery Hub is currently open to support the Rochester community.”
The Primary Producer Flood Recovery package provided millions in financial support for clean-up, loss of income and emergency response to farmers and small businesses.
As of June 12, 2024, 572 Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grants were approved with a total value of more than $27.5 million in Campaspe Shire.
A further 43 grants were made for transport support totalling $290,739, 47 Rural Landholder Grants totalling $752,795, and 18 concessional loans totalling $4,083,221 were made to primary producers.
Most Campaspe Shire primary producers who received grants were involved in mixed farming, dairy, cropping, beef, sheep and horticulture. There was a small representation of other industry types like pigs, viticulture and apiarists.
Applications for the final programs in the Primary Producer Flood Recovery package ended on May 31, including the Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grant and the Victorian Rural Landholder Grant.
Agriculture Victoria aims to continue its support of flood-affected communities. Its Agriculture Recovery Team can be contacted on 136 186 or at recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au
This support is also available through the Rural Financial Counselling Service, which can be contacted on 1300 771 741.
Campaspe Shire Recovery Hub continues to offer services to the community and can be visited in-person at 48 Mackay St, Rochester, contacted on 1300 666 535 and press 2, or email shire@campaspe.vic.gov.au