Expanded bushfire recovery package brings support for Victorian communities and farmers

Almost $100 million in additional recovery funding has been committed by the Victorian and Federal Governments to support communities and businesses affected by recent bushfires.

The joint funding package, delivered through the Commonwealth–State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, builds on earlier assistance and is intended to support the transition from immediate response to longer-term recovery and rebuilding.

More than $15 million will be used to establish Community Recovery Officers and Recovery Hubs across affected regions.

The hubs will provide a central access point for information and services, while recovery officers embedded within local councils will work with communities to identify priorities and coordinate support. Councils will receive between $450,000 and $1.3 million, with community organisations able to apply for grants of up to $75,000 for locally led recovery projects.

Support has also been expanded for households affected by prolonged power outages, with around $16 million allocated for payments to eligible households that were without electricity for seven days or more within a two-week period.

Primary producers will receive targeted assistance, including an initial $40 million through grants of up to $75,000 to support clean-up activities, fencing, livestock disposal and the restoration of farm operations.

A further $10 million has been allocated for concessional loans to assist producers experiencing significant losses.

The Victorian Farmers Federation said the support was needed across fire-affected farming regions.

VFF President Brett Hosking said the impact of the fires on farming communities had been substantial.

“I’ve seen farming communities almost wiped off the map. For these communities there’s no overestimating the help they need,” Mr Hosking said.

He said many farmers had lost fencing, pastures, infrastructure and livestock, alongside ongoing pressures from drought and rising input costs.

Mr Hosking said the funding was an initial step, but delivery would be critical.

“These are important first steps, but they must translate quickly into practical, on-farm assistance,” he said.

In addition to government assistance, the VFF’s Disaster Relief Fund is offering directly affected farmers an initial $1,000 payment for immediate recovery needs.

More information about available support is available on the VFF’s website at vff.org.au.