The popular Daylesford Spa Country Railway in Hepburn Shire - damaged in the significant flood and storm event in 2021 - is one of more than 20 local tourist assets and community facilities across the state receiving recovery funding from the Victorian and Australian Governments, with clean-up works already underway.
Following the clean-up of more than 1,000 residential properties in the flood and storm-affected areas, this $7 million community clean-up effort will focus on damaged heritage railways, walking trails, recreation reserves, as well as important local facilities like the Mount Dandenong Pre School in Yarra Ranges Shire.
The works are jointly funded through Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and cover the demolition and removal of hazardous trees and structures in community assets located on public land.
Projects were identified in consultation with councils and are aimed at supporting community connectedness, safety and wellbeing.
Bushfire Recovery Victoria is delivering the flood and storm clean-up program in partnership with Johns Lyng Group, Australia's largest disaster recovery specialist.
The widespread damage following the June 2021 flood and storm event left a complex clean-up job, and damaged homes were prioritised.
With that work successfully completed on schedule, the effort turns to supporting community assets - clearing the path to full recovery and giving a boost to local economy.
Clean-up works commenced last week on many of the 22 projects, which are in the storm impacted local government areas of Hepburn, Yarra Ranges, Macedon, Moorabool, Baw Baw and Cardinia.
The $105 million state-coordinated flood and storm clean-up program is jointly funded by the Federal and Victorian Governments.
For more information, visit vic.gov.au/storm-clean-up-programExternal Link. Information on disaster assistance is available on the Federal Government's Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.auExternal Link.
As stated by Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes
"We cleaned up more than 1,000 private properties damaged in the devastating 2021 storm and flood, and now we're supporting tourist icons and community facilities in the affected areas to get up and running again."
As stated by Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"We can't change what these communities went through, but we are doing what we can to make the recovery journey that little bit easier and help rejuvenate the local economy."
As stated by Member for Monbulk James Merlino
"We will continue to work closely with the Federal Government to ensure the right help is being provided for communities to keep building back, better and stronger."
