Having passed the $1 million mark in donations from businesses and individuals across the country, the fund is launching a series of targeted funding rounds designed to help those who are rebuilding after the fires.
The Housing Rebuild Permit Program is now open to fire-affected residents across Strathbogie and Mitchell Shires.
As part of the program, applicants can claim a rebate of up to $500 on planning permit applications for the replacement of a fire-damaged residence, and up to $300 for permits related to septic tanks.
Fund advisory committee member Don Cook said the permit application process was understood to be an essential element of the rebuilding journey.
“Subsidising these fees for people simply wanting to reinstate what’s been lost is a small measure with a big impact,” Mr Cook said.
The Housing Rebuild Permit Program is the first of several support programs the SDRF is introducing in the coming weeks, including funding for local volunteer CFA brigades, working with schools on initiatives that will support students’ mental health and wellbeing, and assistance that will ease financial pressure on impacted families.
Mr Cook said consultations helped identify priority needs among fire-affected residents and communities.
A recent Mitchell Shire fire recovery survey found that while 86 per cent of respondents strongly agreed they feel connected to and supported by their community, the coming six to 12 months will be defined by the need to strengthen those community connections, support the rebuild process and maintain community health.
Access to grants and recovery funding, along with targeted support for older and vulnerable residents, was also identified as an ongoing priority.
Mr Cook said the $1 million milestone builds on the fund’s earlier work distributing around $250,000 to 170+ individuals and households through its Rapid Response Grants, which put money in the hands of affected households to cover immediate expenses within two months of the fires.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleelsand praised the work of the SDRF for its achievements.
“The fund stepped up when the Labor government failed us,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Since day one, it’s been our community coming together to support people who have lost homes, livelihoods and been traumatised by this catastrophic event.
“This has been one of the most heartbreaking bushfire recoveries we’ve seen from a state government in recent history — and the road to recovery has been made longer, lonelier and more exhausting for families because of Labor’s dysfunctional response.
“It’s exhausting to watch our community carry so much of this burden, while the Labor government has failed to provide basic support like meaningful rate relief or permit support to help people rebuild.
“Three years of rate relief alone is estimated to be worth more than $5 million across the Strathbogie local government area.
“Meanwhile, we learned this week that the Labor government has been using the Treasurer's Advance — money meant for crises and natural disasters like this bushfire — on general infrastructure, government spending and pay rises for bureaucrats, while our families are still waiting for the support they desperately need.
“That is not good enough, and it should not become the precedent Victorians accept for disaster response.”
Ms Cleeland thanked donors and urged anyone needing help to reach out to the fund or her office.
For more information on the SDRF and to apply for the Housing Rebuild Permit Program, visit: www.strathbogiedisasterrelief.com
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