COMMUNITIES affected by the February 2009 bushfires will share in more than $6.7 million in extra funding for community-led projects.
The funding has been allocated from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund.
Details were announced today by fund chairman Pat McNamara and Premier John Brumby.
"We will continue to stand by communities affected by the worst natural disaster in our nation’s history and support them as they rebuild their lives, homes and towns," Mr Brumby said.
"All of the projects receiving funding as part of today’s announcement have been identified as priorities by communities themselves and in many cases will provide opportunities for local people to be involved as either paid contractors or volunteers.
"These new grants build on previously funded community projects and complement the $193 million our Government is delivering in partnership with the Gillard Government and communities to drive the economic, social and environmental recovery of areas affected by the bushfires."
Mr Brumby said the projects reflected the need to physically rebuild in fire ravaged areas but also the importance of continuing the emotional and psychological support of those communities.
"Today’s announcement of the next round of community projects, funded by money so generously donated by people from Victoria, Australia and around the world, will go a long way to supporting communities achieve their goals of rebuilding stronger, brighter futures," he said.
"Across the State, there are signs of recovery. Schools and community halls are being rebuilt, sports clubs are getting back on their feet and our parks are sprouting new life again. We’ve made real progress but there is still more work to be done."
Mr McNamara said the latest round of community projects brought to 216 the number of projects supported by the Fund, in addition to a wide range of programs delivered to drive the recovery of the people and communities affected by the Black Saturday and Gippsland fires.
"It’s important for communities to play a direct role in rebuilding and as such the Panel set aside $43 million for community-led projects across bushfire affected areas," Mr McNamara said.
"We have now announced 216 projects covering community infrastructure, walking and cycling trails, events and arts programs and projects that help reconnect the community with nature.
"These projects will be important role in building community resilience by helping people to reconnect with each other and their broader community. These are projects that have the support of local people, and will help these areas rebuild and recover."
The new community projects funded are:
- Bendigo ‘Our Place’ - $54,500 to extend the current services of the Our Place and Our Shed volunteer organisations in Bendigo
- Landscaping of Carrajung South Oval Surrounds - $49,500 to re-landscape the area in and around the Carrajung Oval
- Jindivick Cricket Nets – $22,473 for improvements to the Jindivick Reserve, including the construction of two new cricket nets for the use of the community and local cricket teams
- Youth Activities Program - $261,000 to support teenagers in the Kinglake area by offering a range of support and activities
- On Ground Assistance Program - $773,104 to assist Kinglake residents with their recovery by developing of a supervised skilled, semi-skilled and volunteer workforce to help people rebuilding in bushfire-affected areas
- Kinglake West Uniting Church Community Meals - $14,320 to continue the valuable work of the Kinglake Uniting Church and other community volunteers by establishing a community dining program for the provision of community meals for 12 months
- Firefoxes – $347,600 to expand the organisation’s current work and develop a targeted 18 month program that will incorporate residents of Kinglake Ranges, Flowerdale, Glenburn, Toolangi, St Andrews, Strathewen, Arthurs Creek, Whittlesea, Castella and surrounds
- Kinglake Phoenix Singers - $12,500 to develop a structured 12 month community choir program of events including regular workshops, specific skill development workshops and public performances
- Koala Browse and Habitat Trail - $43,800 for a grass roots ecological conservation project initiated by the Kinglake Primary School community, providing opportunities for education, environmental restoration and rehabilitation
- Program Activities for Mature Aged Residents – $75,310 to establish improved social, health and wellbeing opportunities for senior residents in Kinglake
- Mental Health on the Mountain – $247,500 to continue the operation of the Mountain Mental Health program in Kinglake, two days per week for an 18 month period
- Kinglake Scouts program for Older Members - $6,103 to expand the Kinglake Cubs and Scouts program to include Senior Scouts (or Venturers) programs for people aged between 14 and 18
- Replacing Kinglake’s Service Honour Boards - $13,610 to replace four honour boards that recorded the war service of local residents and were lost in the 2009 fires
- Collective History of Kinglake Book – $14,450 for the production of a book that details the history of the Kinglake district between 1860 and 2010
- Glenburn Road Walking Track – $485,518 for the development of a shared pedestrian and cycling path linking Kinglake and Kinglake East, enabling residents to move safely within their community
- Memorial Reserve Upgrade - $1 million for the upgrade of the major sporting facility in the Kinglake Ranges
- Moore’s Reserve – $198,388 to upgrade Moore’s Road Reserve, providing the Flowerdale community with a picnic and recreational facility including barbeque and toilet facilities, shelter, tables and seats
- Flowerdale Cricket Practice Nets – $30,993 for new crickets nets at the Flowerdale Recreation Reserve
- Flowerdale Community House - $100,000 to establish a community house, providing a valuable meeting space for community members to get together and share experiences
- Flowerdale Recreation Reserve Shared Path – $129,260 to extend a recently completed pedestrian and bicycle path to create an unbroken trail from Flowerdale to the Recreation Reserve
- Green Connections - $500,240 for the roll out of the Green Connections project across Kinglake and Marysville, which will involve a range of programs targeted at the health and well-being of bushfire affected individuals by encouraging their participation in environmental fire recovery projects
- Christmas Hills/St Andrews Arts Programs - $55,000 to develop and extend the existing arts programs to assist in the recovery of both children and the wider community
- St Andrews Men's Shed - $60,000 to develop a Men’s Shed for residents of St Andrews and Christmas Hills to house various community workshops
- Upgrade of the Strathewen Temporary Community Centre - $50,400 for minor upgrades to the facility to ensure its viability while the community facilities lost in the fires are completed
- Toolangi Castella Community Bushfire Garden - $60,000 to assist people with the restoration of their gardens after the devastation caused by the fires
- Traralgon South Environmental Projects - $100,000 to engage community organisations and individuals in the environmental recovery of the Traralgon South region
- Yarra Glen Hub - $348,000 for the restoration of the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall to provide a flexible, multipurpose facility for the whole community
- Boolarra Multipurpose Centre - $250,000 to refurbish the existing Boolarra Multipurpose Centre, with specific focus on general repair and an upgrade of the kitchen and toilet facilities
- Flowerdale Men’s and Community Shed - $49,289 to assist with the purchase of tools and program delivery for the Men’s Shed as well as additional funds to complement existing funding for fit-out of the donated shed
- Triangle Community Shared Trails (formerly referred to as the Five Towns Trail) - $949,000 for the construction of three loop trails within the triangle region at Buxton, Narbethong and Taggerty
- Strathewen Walking Path Project - $100,000 for the establishment of a community recreation space in the area surrounding the Strathewen Primary School, including a walking track, landscaped garden and outdoor seating area
- Castella Central Park Development - $396,750 for the development of a park in a central location where the bushfire affected communities in Castella, Toolangi, Dixons Creek, Glenburn and Kinglake can come together.
