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Mayor Welcomes Drought FundingEast Gippsland Mayor Harvey Bates has welcomed a State Government decision to extend funding for the Drought Social Recovery Strategy. By East Gippsland Shire Council - 29th July 2004 - Back to News Cr Bates said the Shire had been successful in obtaining $55,000 to employ a Community Development Officer to support drought-affected communities in East Gippsland for a further nine months.
The Shire will also receive discretionary funding of $30,000 to assist recovery initiatives across the region.
Cr Bates said the funding would enable the Shire to give some much-needed support to many rural communities across the municipality.
"Generally, farmers are the first people you think about when it comes to the effects of the drought, but the impact goes much further," Cr Bates said.
"Whole communities suffer when there is a drought, and not just financially – there are other aspects such as health and social problems that also need be considered.
"The Shire’s Community Development Officer has been helping these communities get better access to family, general and financial counselling as well as address their social concerns and needs through the establishment of community recovery committees."
The Minister for Agriculture, Bob Cameron, said the Government would continue to provide support to communities hard hit by drought conditions.
"Rural communities are central to Victoria’s continued well-being," Mr Cameron said. "We want to see families remain on farms and communities thrive."
For further information contact Cr Harvey Bates on 5153 9500.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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