Senator The Hon Murray Watt Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister for Emergency Management	The Hon Ingrid Stitt MP Minister for Childhood and Pre-Prep Minister for the Environment
Senator Jana Stewart Senator for Victoria	Martha Haylett State Member for Ripon

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

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.

Among the flood recovery projects, local residents in Rochester will feel the benefits of more than $479,000 for repairs to the community sportsgrounds, pavilion, and playground at Rochester Recreation Reserve.

Additionally, more than $677,000 has been allocated for repairs to the Avoca Golf and Bowls Club Reserve and community sportsground at Avoca Public Park. 

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

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

Quotes attributable to Federal Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart:

“We’re working with volunteer community members to ensure local communities across regional Victoria can repair facilities and get back on their feet.”

“This joint Albanese and Andrews Labor Government’s $11.8 million regional investment is supporting flood-affected Victorians when they need it the most.”

“It’s just fact that when governments work with rural and regional communities, we getter better outcomes.”

Quotes attributable to State Member for Ripon Martha Haylett MP:

“Last year’s floods had devastating impacts to many communities across our region. This funding will help ensure they can recover as quickly as possible.”

“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.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt

“The October 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 multiple community spaces and assets.

“This support will fund repairs to halls, caravan parks, camping areas, multi-use recreation reserves and other important community facilities on public land, ensuring community assets in regional Victoria are back up and running for residents and visitors alike.

“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.

“I know from my visits to the region, and indeed from my visits to many disaster-impacted communities across the country, that these community resources and gathering places are critical to the ongoing recovery journey and the Albanese Government is pleased to partner with the Andrews Government to achieve it.”

Quotes attributable to Victorian Minister for Environment Ingrid Stitt

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

“The flood recovery projects will help restore facilities that play an integral role in regional communities across Victoria.”

“Volunteer committee members have made an extraordinary contribution to their local communities as they work to reinstate the state’s flood damaged facilities and resources.”

“We will continue to work closely with the National Emergency Management Agency to identify any additional support Victorians may need.”