Published on 12 August 2020
The Council will receive $1million in funding from the Australian Government with Benalla being recognised as experiencing hardship due to the drought.
The funding, which is through the Drought Communities Programme, is being distributed across 52 Councils Australia-wide and is to complete local infrastructure and other drought relief projects.
Mayor Cr Danny Claridge said the Council is very grateful to the Australian Government for the funding.
“The Benalla municipality has high exposure to the impacts of drought,” Cr Claridge said. “This funding will be valuable in developing long lasting economic benefit for our community.”
Projects eligible for funding under the Drought Communities Programme are to provide work for people whose employment has been impacted by drought, to stimulate local community spending by engaging local resources, businesses and suppliers and provide a long-lasting benefit to communities and the agricultural industries they depend on.
Included in the funding will be events for mental health support, upgrade to community facilities and a $335,000 Community Infrastructure Grant fund where eligible community groups can apply for funding for their own priority projects.
Applications for Community Infrastructure Grants open Monday 17 August and can be accessed and submitted through the Council website. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Council prior to submitting an application.