FIFTEEN Victorian councils, including Mitchell, Murrindindi and Strathbogie Shire councils, will share in $15 million federal-state governments’ funding for 27 new community recovery officers and recovery hubs investment.
But the funding falls short as the region’s councils battle on with the recovery process after the January bushfires’ havoc, and there are calls for more.
Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Damien Gallagher said the January bushfires had an unprecedented impact across Murrindindi Shire, affecting more than 20 communities and resulting in widespread devastation across farmland, residential areas and critical infrastructure.
Cr Gallagher said based on current assessments, the municipal recovery task alone is estimated at around $105 million, which is far beyond the council’s capacity to deliver on its own.
“This figure reflects council‑related recovery costs only. The financial impact on the community is significantly higher. For example, the cost to replace the almost 5000km of fencing alone across the shire is now estimated to exceed $120-140 million. This single category of loss highlights the scale of recovery facing landholders and primary producers, in addition to the costs being carried by the council.”
Cr Gallagher said the council welcomes the support provided by the state and federal governments to date, including the $15 million originally announced on January 14, and recently confirmed, for fire‑impacted councils across Victoria.
He said the council’s allocation is $1.3 million, representing less than 9 per cent of the grant pool. “This assistance is an important contribution to locally led recovery, and we remain hopeful that our ongoing discussions with government agencies about the scale and complexity of recovery in Murrindindi are being heard.
“What is particularly important in this context is proportionality. Murrindindi has experienced a significant share of the statewide impact from the January fires. Of the 451 homes destroyed across Victoria, 217 were in Murrindindi, around 48 per cent.
“The council will continue to work constructively with state and federal governments to ensure funding decisions are grounded in evidence‑based assessments of impact, geography and recovery cost. Recognising both the municipal and community‑wide scale of loss will be critical to ensuring recovery funding is proportionate and sufficient to support long‑term resilience.
Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall said this funding is an important step in supporting bushfire-affected communities, particularly by strengthening local coordination on the ground.
“However, the scale of the damage across Victoria is significant, and recovery will require sustained investment over time,” he said.
“We’re pleased with the level of support received through current funding streams. While additional funding is always beneficial in supporting expanded recovery and resilience activities, particularly mental health, council continues to focus on maximising the impact of available resources through effective coordination and triage-based support.
“We are also seeking other supports in partnership with Strathbogie Shire Council and Murrindindi Shire Council that includes funding for our tourism and business community as they have been hit hard with the fall of visitors to the region, along with additional financial support for impacted properties.”
The latest cash offer is jointly funded under the Commonwealth‑State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The money is part of $370 million in relief and recovery support the governments have committed under the DRFA.
