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Northe Welcomes More Support For Bushfire Affected Communities Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe has welcomed the Coalition’s new two year grants program worth $750,000 to strengthen leadership and resilience in bushfire-affected communities. By Russell Northe - 11th July 2011 - Back to News "Applications are now open for Skills, Training, Engagement and Practical Support (STEPS) grants worth up to $30,000 for not-for-profit community groups in bushfire-affected areas to help deliver important local bushfire recovery projects," Mr Northe said.
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) will help deliver this initiative and aims to source an additional $1 million from community donors so that up to $1.75 million in grants would be available for community leadership programs, training, mentoring and practical support.
Mr Northe said the Coalition Government understood the importance of ongoing support for bushfire affected communities, such as those in the Gippsland region which suffered terribly following the Black Saturday bushfires.
"As of 1 July 2011 the Government’s new Fire Recovery Unit is operating to provide ongoing support for the bushfire-affected communities as part of the transition from the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBRRA)," Mr Northe said.
"The VBRRA has provided vital assistance to those within fire-affected communities for more than two and a half years and it is important ongoing help is available.
"The Coalition recognises that for many people recovery from these fires will take years and that’s why we are putting measures in place which will continue to provide the assistance needed," he said.
The Fire Recovery Unit will be a central contact point within the government to oversee state-wide bushfire recovery efforts.
Mr Northe said the Government had also extended the free Rebuilding Advisory Service in recognition of the ongoing support households needed with rebuilding their homes.
"An extension of the rainwater tank grant scheme for bushfire-affected households has also been announced," Mr Northe added.
The scheme provides grants of up to $1000 for residents to purchase and install rainwater tanks as they rebuild homes destroyed in the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
"The scheme will now be extended until June 2012 so that these grants continue to be available during the ongoing recovery process," Mr Northe said.
The grants are available to residences eligible to receive a Destroyed Homes Payment through the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund for tanks which meet Australian Design Standards.
russell.northe@parliament.vic.gov.au www.russellnorthe.com.au 66 George St, Morwell VIC 3840 ph 03 5133 9088 fax 03 5133 9388
For more information on the rainwater tank program visit resourcesmart.vic.gov.au or call 1300 363 744.
Mr Northe said the public could still call the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for information on programs or initiatives relating to the 2009 bushfires.
The Bushfires Communities Support Program helpline is 1800 050 400.
Applications for STEPS grants are now open with application forms and guidelines available at www.frrr.org.au.
Media Contact: Russell Northe (03) 5133 9088.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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