Northern Victoria Region
Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:55): (261) My constituent question is to the Minister for Emergency Services regarding funding for communities still recovering from the October 2022 floods. In Victoria over $54 million will be spent on Disaster Ready Fund projects, which includes $28.23 million from the state government. The Weekly Times reported that most of this funding will be spent on employing consultants to undertake reviews and studies. It is over eight months since the floods, and I was in Rochester recently and there are still 300 households living in caravans, sheds and tents. The neighbourhood house is relying on donations for blankets, heaters and support staff. The community are also seeking funding to hold social events to bring the community together. Can the minister please explain why funds are being used on consultants rather than grassroots programs and advise when community grants will be open to help local communities recovering from the floods? The funding made available following the bushfires was vastly different to the support being given post floods, yet the impact is the same on those who have lost their homes and businesses.