Victorian Government supports Council to offset bushfire impact
March 4, 2016
The Victorian Government has come out in support of Colac Otway Shire Council in the wake of the Christmas Day fires, contributing $400,000 to two important community projects in the shire.
The government will provide $200,000 for the revitalisation of Colac's central business district to encourage more people to stop, shop and support local businesses.
The state has contributed a further $200,000 towards the redevelopment of the Central Reserve's off-field facilities, helping bring the outdated 1970s facilities to modern day standards.
Mayor Frank Buchanan said the $400,000 in funding acknowledged the impact the bushfire had on the entire community.
"There has been a significant cost to our community in responding to this emergency, and a significant part of this has involved re-assigning staff from their usual duties to dedicate their time to bushfire response, the rate waiver we extended to the bushfire affected ratepayers, community meetings in Melbourne and Wye River, the list goes on.
"While work continues along our coast on the bushfire recovery effort, this funding specifically acknowledges the far-reaching impact the bushfires have had on our entire municipality."
Mayor Frank Buchanan said Council and the Victorian Government had developed a strong working relationship since the Christmas Day fires and he was delighted with this latest funding support.
"Council moved swiftly in the wake of the Christmas Day fires to offset some of the hardship experienced by bushfire affected residents by providing a rate relief package," he said.
"It was important to give the communities of Wye River and Separation Creek surety around their rates and show compassion and support for the financial and emotional impact the fires had on their lives.
"We also approached the Victorian Government for financial support to offset the cost to the community in responding to this emergency and we are very appreciative of this funding, and the ongoing support we've received in the wake of the bushfires.
"The collaboration and goodwill between all levels of government during this crisis has made a difficult situation much easier to manage."
Cr Buchanan said Council would use the $200,000 to upgrade the central shopping district in line with the Colac CBD and Entrances Project.
"The $200,000 allocated to the Central Reserve will go straight into the kitty along with the $2.5 million we've received from the Federal Government to help us deliver the best possible outcome for the 100,000 people who use the Central Reserve annually."
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