Upper Murray and Alpine communities will benefit from almost $20 million in extra bushfire recovery projects, with money to drive tourism, improve amenities, support key local industries and create jobs.
Nationals Senate Leader and Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie said 10 new Bushfire Recovery Regional Economic Stimulus and Resilience Grants have just been awarded across Indi by the Australian and Victorian governments, under the jointly funded Local Economic Recovery program.
The Indi projects are among 20 approved across Victoria.
“The North East and High Country were hit extremely hard by last summer’s devastating bushfires and 12 months on, the road to recovery remains a long one,” Wodonga-based Senator McKenzie said.
“It’s fantastic to see these latest projects get the green light. This investment is all about stimulating the economy, driving jobs and visitation and helping key industries get back on their feet – another step towards building economic resilience and making sure businesses, workers and communities get the support they need.”
The successful economic stimulus projects funded in Victoria’s North East include:
- $5 million to boost infrastructure and visitation along the Great River Road in the Upper Murray region.
- $2.6 million for new and upgraded infrastructure along the Dargo High Plains Road.
- $2.17 million to support Upper Murray Inc’s plan to protect communities against power outages and reduce running costs.
- $1.35 million for Mansfield Autism Statewide Services to develop accessible accommodation units to suit visitors to the region who have special needs.
- $870,000 for Wines of the King Valley to develop a smoke sensor network that will help wine makers make informed decisions.
- $600,000 to help redevelop the iconic Alpine Hotel in Bright so that it can be used for community events.
- $375,000 for a cycle tourism and accommodation redevelopment in Bright.
The successful economic stimulus projects funded in Victoria’s Alpine Resorts include:
- $2.5 million for Falls Creek Alpine Resort to redevelop the lakeside trailhead and foreshore for water sports.
- $2.5 million to develop the Mt Hotham Snow Play and Activity Hub.
- $2 million to develop the Dinner Plain recreation reserve and village centre.
The regional economic stream of the Local Economic Recovery program is now fully allocated, but there are still opportunities to apply for funding for local community grants projects.
Further local community grants rounds will open in March (Round 2) and July 2021 (Round 3). For more information on how to apply visit www.vic.gov.au/local-economic-recovery-program-bushfire-affected-communities
Australian Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud said today’s announcement brings the total projects and program initiatives approved under the LER Program in Victoria to 40 projects and seven economic initiatives.
“These economic stimulus projects will bring employment and economic benefits to these communities that have been so hard hit by the 2019-20 bushfires, and now COVID-19,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Creating jobs, attracting visitors and helping our regional Victorian towns thrive into the future is a big part of long term bushfire recovery, and these projects will make a real difference.”
Funding for LER projects is just one of the initiatives supported by the Australian Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund, which is worth more than $2 billion. To date, more than $1.9 billion in Australian Government support has been provided to help bushfire affected communities, including $1.3 billion spent so far from the National Bushfire Recovery Fund.
Details of successful local economic recovery projects in Victoria – and across other states – are available on the National Bushfire Recovery Agency website at www.bushfirerecovery.gov.au/local-recovery-projects#victoria