Community Support for Victoria's Drought Affected Communities

There is a range of government initiatives designed to help rural and regional communities to cope with drought.

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New Initiatives - October 2007

• Drought Relief for Community Sport and Recreation Program (PDF 25 kb)
  Provides grants to help local communities maintain local community sport and develop sustainable approaches to water management of sports grounds and other sport and recreation facilities.

• Synthetic Surfaces Program (PDF 23kb)
  Will provide funding for strategically placed and targeted “drought proof” playing and training surfaces to allow a regional sporting competition to continue regardless of availability of water.

• Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program (PDF 24kb)
  Will offer employment to farmers, farm workers and rural Victorians in drought-affected areas.

• Providing Support to Industry Development Organisations (PDF 26kb)
  This initiative will provide one off drought assistance project grants for self help organisations.

• Drought Relief Tourism Marketing Campaigns (PDF 23kb)
  This inititative will expand existing tourism brand marketing and tactical marketing campaigns for the most severely drought affected regions of Victoria.

• Local Government Drought Coordinator Program (PDF 24kb)
  Will offer selected councils funds to appoint a Drought Coordinator.

• Emergency Volunteer Support Framework (PDF 27kb)
  Will provide practical help to the many Victorians and local community organisations providing voluntary emergency relief in communities who are suffering as a result of the drought.

• Business Transitioning Program (PDF 23kb)
  Information events for businesses and business counselling to non-farm businesses.

• Planning for Change (PDF 25kb)
  This initiative will support industries and local communities to identify consequences of drought and to deliver solutions to local challenges.

• Rural Skills Connect (PDF 29kb)
  This initiative aims to build and maintain business capability in regional Victoria through addressing skills gaps.

• Small Towns Development Fund (PDF 24kb)
  Assists communities in small towns with funding for projects.

• Rural Women, Drought and Climate Change initiative - Community Engagement Officers with a focus on women and drought have been appointed in five rural regions in the Department of Planning and Community Development Local Teams. More information is available on 'Women and Drought' at the Rural Women's Network (external link).

• Water for Industry initiative (PDF 53kb)
  This initiative will work in partnership with industry and water authorities to reduce water consumption and increase reuse opportunities.

• Building Resilient Communities (PDF 40kb)
  Funding is provided to councils to fund local initiatives that assist in recovery and contribute to stronger and more resilient communities that are better able to cope with the drought situation.

• Country Sports Program (PDF 216kb)
  Provides grants help councils implement water efficiency measures to improve the condition of their swimming pools or sports grounds affected by acute water shortages.

• Local Infrastructure Works Program (PDF 41kb)
  Will assist local councils that have been declared under Exceptional Circumstances with funding for a range of minor infrastructure works.