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East Gippslanders dismayed by bushfire recovery grants program

Council disappointment on the recovery grants for bush fire damages, requesting urgent review on bush fire recovery funding allocation for Gippsland.

By news@gippsland - 15th July 2021 - Back to News

East Gippsland community leaders have written to the Prime Minister to express disappointment with a bushfire recovery grants program they say is insulting to the local community.

East Gippsland community leaders have written to the Prime Minister to express disappointment with a bushfire recovery grants program they say is insulting to the local community

Bitterly disappointed

East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor Mendy Urie, State Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull, and Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the region would be short-changed unless the Prime Minister revised the allocation of just $4.5 million. Mr Chester said he was ‘bitterly disappointed’ by the funding allocation after meeting with Canberra bureaucrats and Ministerial staff to advise them of the unmet need in the region.

"I sat down with them in Canberra two months ago as they were working on the guidelines for this $280 million program and stressed the level of need in East Gippsland. It defies logic that they believe Wangaratta and Wodonga suffered anything like the same damage as East Gippsland Shire." Mr Chester said.

Urgent request

In their letter to the Prime Minister, the trio requested an urgent review of the funding allocation. "The ‘funding envelope’ proposed by the Commonwealth does not properly reflect the extent of damage in this municipality, compared to other municipalities in Victoria," the letter said.

"Under the model proposed by the Federal Government, the broader geographic region of north-east Victoria will receive $27 million (Alpine, Indigo, Mansfield, Towong, Wangaratta, Wodonga), while the broader Gippsland region will share in $9 million (East Gippsland, Wellington)."

Unmet demands in Gippsland

The letter also said, "This allocation of funding does not reflect some key facts."

• More than half of the East Gippsland LGA was burnt (1.1 million hectares)
• More than 60,000 people are estimated to have evacuated East Gippsland as a result of the warnings issued by emergency authorities
• Three people died in East Gippsland and 410 residential properties were destroyed, along with 27 commercial properties.
• The cumulative impact of economic losses as a result of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 has entrenched the socio-economic disadvantage experienced in one of the most vulnerable regional communities in Australia.

"As our region continues to recover from the bushfires, each government grant program has been heavily over-subscribed, and the unmet demand in East Gippsland remains considerable."

Request for evidence-based allocations

Cr Urie said the Council is working with the community to identify local priorities as recovery continues. "We certainly welcome the funding we have already received and we are working with communities across East Gippsland to support the recovery process but this allocation of funding is unacceptable to our municipality," Cr Urie said.

"We are in direct and regular contact with Community Recovery Committee (CRC) representatives across our shire. There is concern from fire-impacted communities and a fear of missing out, which is exacerbating impacts on communities. We request funding allocations be evidence-based, on both fire impact and need."

Increase the allocation in Gippsland

Mr Bull questioned how the Commonwealth Government could compare the damage sustained to major regional towns in north-east Victoria which didn’t lose any properties, to towns like Mallacoota where more than a hundred homes were lost.

"The bureaucracy has clearly made a mistake and rather than plough on and make it worse, they should simply increase the allocation to East Gippsland, no-one is suggesting the fires didn’t have an economic impact in areas outside the flame zone but it’s illogical to give Wangaratta and Wodonga the same amount of Federal Government funding as East Gippsland Shire." Mr Bull said.

Pictures from East Gippsland Shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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  Council is encouraging the businesses and community groups to send their expressions of interest for the Archibald Prize exhibition.
• Rowenna Dunn announced as new manager for the West Gippsland Arts Centre
  Announcement of Rowenna Dunn as new manager of West Gippsland Arts Centre.
• Budget and financial plan for 2021/22 adopted by South Gippsland Shire Council
  Budget and financial planning 2021-22.
• More than $15 million federal money spent to reduce mobile phone black spots across Gippsland
  Gippslanders are safer, and the economy has prospered because of more than $15 million being spent to reduce mobile phone black spots, according to the Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
• The Disability Gateway is new one-stop shop for support to people in Gippsland with a disability
  People with disability can now access support team which includes information, programs and support available.
• Tickets on sale for Archibald Prize exhibition in October at Gippsland Art Gallery
  Tickets on sale for Archibald Prize at Gippsland Art Gallery.
• Five reasons to get to Mt Baw Baw Alpine Resort in Gippsland this winter
  Resort where kids can learn to ski or snowboard, or for the family to spend the holiday to.
• Peter Walsh says rapid testing will help Melbourne and regions in Victoria like Gippsland open up and stay open
  Rapid COVID-19 testing as the key to put Victoria back on track.
• Baw Baw Shire Council amends local law on issues like open air burning, unsightly properties, weeds, shipping containers and relocatable buildings
  Council has adopted the amended Community Local Law 2016.
• Baw Baw Shire Council shares in state funding to help residents understand the four-bin recycling system
  Victorian councils are being supported to roll out new education campaigns to help residents understand the four-bin recycling system, as part of the Victorian Government’s goal to divert 80% of waste from landfill.
• Another horror month from VLine from commuters on Gippsland trains
  V/Line’s reliability plummeted to a record low last month, including on train lines to Gippsland and Bairnsdale.
• Baw Baw Shire Council makes big improvements to town planning to maximise effect of being one of Victoria's fastest growing regions
  Baw Baw Shire Council, one of the fastest growing regions of Victoria, is taking proactive steps to align Planning outcomes with the needs and desires of the local community in the face of unprecedented rates of development.
• Bass Coast Shire Council calls for Inverloch to remain in the State District of Bass in response to proposed change to State Electoral boundaries
  Bass Coast Shire Council will develop a submission, advocating for Inverloch to remain in the State District of Bass, following a proposal to change State Electoral boundaries.
• Latrobe City Council calls to preserve Lake Narracan following the closure of Yallourn Power Station in 2028
  Latrobe City Council will make a submission to the State Government calling to preserve Lake Narracan’s weir and water levels following the closure of Yallourn Power Station in 2028.
• Calling for applications to chair Regional Development Gippsland committee
  Positions are now open to lead the regional development committees.
• Latrobe City Council submits to inquiry into impacts of Hazelwood and Yallourn power stations closures
  Latrobe City Council will advocate for greater Government support for the municipality to help the region transition with less power stations.
• Community sponsorship program for Baw Baw opening in July
  Sponsorship and grants for community organisations to assist for the community development.
• Latrobe City Council seeks to attract manufacturers for Australian Defence Force to Latrobe Valley
  Latrobe City Council is seeking to raise the City’s manufacturing profile by contacting businesses in the defence supply chain from across Australia, with the intent of attracting new opportunities to the municipality.
• Baw Baw Shire Council to continue transition out of direct aged and disability support services
  Council is proceeding with the decision reached in March 2020 to transition out of delivering direct care aged and disability support services from 30 June 2022.
• Baw Baw Council adopts planning scheme amendment for Drouin CBD
  Community feedback sought by the council has helped shape the design and development of Drouin's central business district.
• Wellington Shire Council 2021 National Economic Development Awards finalist for 'The middle of everywhere' campaign
  Wellington Shire Council is a finalist in the 2021 National Economic Development Awards for Excellence.
• Latrobe City Council announces community representatives for safety committee
  Council announcing the representative of the new community safety committee.
• Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre awards local company A1 Solar & Electrical to install 100kW solar power system
  East Gippsland Shire Council is tapping into the power of the sun to save on energy costs by installing its largest-ever solar system in one of its buildings.
• Wellington Shire Council wants community’s feedback on sport as and community facilities plans
  Council is seeking community feedback in shaping the infrastructure plans.
• Baw Baw Shire Council comes for pop-up session at Labertouche in September
  Baw Baw Shire Council is heading to Labertouche on Thursday 7 October for a Council Pop-up session, all residents are invited to come along and speak to their Councillors and senior Council team members about the issues that matter to them.
• Baw Baw Shire Council advocates on need for safer road infrastructure and traffic solutions in Drouin Warragul and Walhalla
  Meeting and discussion about the traffic and safety issues as well as the timeframe of road repairs.
• Baw Baw Shire Council celebrates Tania McLeish, Anne Skinner and Belinda Watts-Keeley induction to Sporting Walk of Fame
  Acknowledging gender equality achievement of men and women through sports.
• Latrobe City Council re-opens Cumberland Park kindergarten after negative results for COVID-19
  Identified close contact resulted negative from COVID-19.
• Wellington Shire Council endorses second package for business COVID support
  Wellington Shire Council today endorsed the second incarnation of its Covid-19 Business Support Package to assist local businesses recover from the effects of the pandemic.
• Wellington Shire Council calls for concerns and suggestions during pandemic with Living Well Durong COVID-19 plan
  Residents of Wellington to give their suggestions to help improve wellbeing during the pandemic.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 22 September 2021
  Council meeting minutes and agendas held last 22 September 2021.
• Baw Baw Shire Council doing good job as 2021 community satisfaction survey shows improvement
  Community satisfaction survey results have been released and can now be viewed.
• Bass Coast Shire Council offers $2000 rebates for local businesses to improve shopfronts and building facades
  Rebates for the service providers and local businesses to improve their shop fronts.
• Marlo Angling Club community hall to be upgraded with $336,000 funding from Local Economic Recovery Program
  Upgrading the angling club hall for long-term benefit for the community.
• Latrobe City Council calls for Victorian government to support for timber industry
  Release of code of practice for timber industry that has been on a long delayed by the state government.
• Honouring the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Motorcycle Club of Gippsland Chapter
  Member for Monash Russell Broadbent and Member for Narracan Gary Blackwood, honouring the Vietnam Veterans and Veterans Motorcycle Club – Gippsland Chapter.
• Wellington Shire council's domestic animal management plan is open for feedback
  Dog and cat lovers, the council wants to hear from you.
• No more excuses for Victorian Labor to delay worker fix for Gippsland farmers
  The Andrews Labor Government has run out of excuses to delay fixing Victoria’s farm worker shortage, after the Federal Government today confirmed details of Australia’s ag visa program.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 13 October 2021
  On Monday 11 October, Council held an additional Council Meeting to consider the scope, budget and potential funding options of the Baw Baw Civic Precinct.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 11 August 2021
  Agenda of the council meeting on Wednesday, 11 August.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 25 August 2021
  Agenda from the council meeting held on 25 August 2021.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 8 September 2021
  Minutes and agendas of the council meeting last 8 Sep 2021.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot - 14 July 2021
  Agendas of council meeting held on 14 July 2021.
• Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot – 28 July 2021
  To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 28 July ordinary meeting.
• Latrobe City Youth Council encourages healthy eating with 'Fab food marvellous mood' campaign'
  Food campaign to help educate the young people about healthy diet that lead to happier and healthier mental and physical wellness.
• Bass Coast Shire Council sets direction for health, wellbeing and accessibility
  The importance of health, wellbeing, access and inclusion in Bass Coast has been recognised by Bass Coast Shire Council.
• Wellington Shire Council reminds dog owners to clean up after their pooches
  Reminding pet owners to clean up their pets waste, failure to do so will be fined.
• Wellington Shire Council wants resident feedback on its 2021-25 plan
  Invitation to the community to express their concern or idea on the council plan.
• Macalister Resilience and Critical Infrastructure project gets $2.5M federal funding to improve pathway to Gippsland water security
  The Macalister Resilience and Critical Infrastructure project will receive $2.5 million in federal government funding.
• Proposals and ideas wanted on how to best use federal funding from 'Local Jobs Program' for Gippsland
  Support program on improving jobseeker skills and employment pathways.
• Australia day awards for 2020 nominations open for people that have gone above and beyond in South Gippsland Shire
  Nominations are now open for the South Gippsland Australia Day Awards.
• Feedback wanted on community vision, draft council plan and draft long term financial plan from Baw Baw Shire Council
  Residents of the community is encouraged to join the community engagement and send their feedback to council’s vision for the Baw Baw’s future.
• Feedback wanted on Baw Baw Shire Council roadside and footpath trading policy
  Baw Baw Shire Council is undertaking a review of its Roadside and Footpath Trading Policy.
• Veteran health and wellbeing funding via 'Supporting Younger Veterans' grant for West and South Gippsland
  Grants offered for the support to our young veterans mental health and wellbeing.
• Anglicare Victoria continues to supporting young people in Latrobe Valley stay away from crime via Youth Crime Prevention Grants program
  Through the Andrews Labor Government Youth Crime Prevention Grants program (YCPG), Anglicare Victoria has been awarded $350,000 to continue helping young people find pathways away from offending.
• Community feedback wanted on Baw Baw Shire Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy
  Council is seeking valuable community input to guide the development of a new environmental sustainability strategy for Baw Baw Shire.
• Vexatious court claims closes timber coupe for training Victorian essential service personnel at TAFE Gippsland
  Timber coupe being used by TAFE Gippsland for training Victorian essential service personnel has been targeted by vexatious court claims resulting in its closure.
• Russell Northe expresses disappointment at Bank Australia closing Morwell branch
  Closure of another bank to bring more disappointment to the residents.
• Mayor Danny Goss of Baw Baw Shire Council to host live Q&A on Facebook on 14 Sep 2021
  Join Mayor Danny Goss as he answers resident questions in a live Facebook Q&A event on Tuesday 14 September at 7.30pm.
• Darren Chester in support of federal funding for improvement to Greenwattle Racecourse in Sale
  Member for Gippsland Darren Chester and Sale Turf Club CEO Brad Evans discussing opportunities for Federal Government grants to support further upgrades at the Greenwattle Racecourse.
• Limited lockdowns a win for regional communities like Gippsland
  A move to use limited lockdowns, by LGA, gives some long overdue relief and certainty to regional Victorian families, businesses and communities.
• Expanded free TAFE turbocharges post-covid Victoria and Gippsland
  Additional TAFE courses ensuring appropriate training for Victorian job seekers.