Locals will help direct $14 million in funding for various recovery and rebuilding projects and programs in fire-affected areas, thanks to the generosity of Victorian Bushfire Appeal donors across our state and beyond.

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal’s $4 million Community Grants Program addresses short to medium-term recovery needs endorsed by Community Recovery Committees across the Alpine, Towong and East Gippsland shires.

Community Recovery Committees are comprised of diverse groups of locals from bushfire affected areas who come together to guide councils and government on funding priorities. This community-led approach ensures projects and programs are the right fit for each community.

Applications can be submitted at any time and provisions will be in place to ensure no eligible community misses out. A closing date has not been set for the grants so all communities have the opportunity to apply for funding.

The Program has been designed to support community priorities. One project that has so far received a $50,000 grant under the program will support bushfire-impacted families in the Mallacoota district to attend respite camps.

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal also announced $10 million for community foundations to support local recovery over the long-term. Existing foundations will be funded to support the Alpine and Towong local government areas and a new community foundation will be established to support East Gippsland, with a public Expression of Interest process to be undertaken to identify board members.

Foundations will be entirely community owned and led, and will ensure that funding is provided to address local community recovery priorities. They will be able to operate in-perpetuity, for the benefit of their communities.

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal also announced a further $800,000 in funding for family violence services, supporting community-based agencies to roll out new prevention and intervention programs in bushfire-affected areas. With this funding, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health, Gateway Health and Centre Against Violence will be able to expand and enhance their existing programs, which are aimed at reducing the instances and impacts of family violence.

Over $36.7 million has been raised by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal to date, with $36.6 million now allocated to support people who lost their homes, families who lost loved ones, immediate relief payments, community grants, family violence services and fence rebuilding.

Organisations wishing to access the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Community Grants Program can contact their local council or Community Recovery Committee, with more information at vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal. More information about Community Recovery Committees can be found at brv.vic.gov.au.