Council is holding community meetings on Friday 18th November across the municipality to fully understand flooding impacts on our community, especially the farming industry.
Above-average rainfall has seen localised flooding across the region, resulting in sever impact, not only to our road network, properties, but also to our agriculture industry.
As the recovery from the recent flood event continues, Council has several teams on the ground assessing these impacts and will continue to monitor over the coming weeks with more rain expected. Data collection will support Council triaging critical works and help form an official claim with both the State and Federal Governments.
Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Councillor Jo Armstrong said, “Extensive impacts on crops are devastating for the farming community and it is more important than ever to check in with loved ones and offer a lending hand with those recovering from the floods.”
“Farmers are resilient as they are often hit by natural disasters. However, floods can sometimes be understated, especially when the impacts are not obvious. The amount of damage may be overwhelming for some and will not be fully understood for a few months.”
Council is holding community meetings on Friday 18th November across the municipality to fully understand these impacts on our community, especially the farming industry. This will provide impacted residents an informal platform to learn how to provide data to Council, ask questions, and seek support from agencies such as Agriculture Victoria and Emergency Recovery Victoria.
Council will also use the meetings as an opportunity to speak about their partnership with Landmate and how farmers may be able to get assistance with the flood clean up and recovery of fencing on their land. New Emergency Management Coordinator, Kristi Sullivan said, "I am eager to get out and meet impacted residents, to collect critical data, and offer recovery clean up resources and support.
For more information or supporting resources please contact Kristi on [email protected] or Mobile:0408 845 214
Flood Recovery Community Times and venues:
Friday 18 November 2022
Buangor Rec Reserve – 9:30am
Tatyoon Rec Reserve –11:15pm
Lake Bolac Information & Business Centre – 1:00pm
Willaura Rec Reserve – 2:45pm
Moyston Rec Reserve – 4:30 pm
More information on support available:
The Victorian Government is supporting primary producers across Victoria affected by the devastating floods to get back in business, with a package of support to help kickstart their relief and recovery effort.
The Program includes:
**Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grants**
The Primary Producer Recovery Grants is a payment of up to $75,000 to primary producers directly affected by the floods to help them clean up, re-establish their properties, and get their businesses up and running again.
**Victorian Rural Landholder Grants**
The Rural Landholder Grants provides up to $25,000 for eligible primary producers that have a smaller-scale Primary Production Enterprise and do not qualify for the Primary Producer Recovery Grants. The grants will support clean-up and recovery costs.
**Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Transport Support Program**
If you own stock and require transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and moving stock to agistment, sale or slaughter you may be eligible to claim 50 per cent of transport costs, up to $15,000.
**Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Concessional Loans**
Primary producers whose properties have been directly impacted by the Victorian Floods commencing October 2022 are eligible to apply for concessional loans of up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged assets, and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is underway.
More information can be found at https://www.ruralfinance.com.au
Please contact 1800 260 425 if you have any questions.