The Australian and Victorian Governments are supporting communities to restore treasured recreation areas and facilities damaged by the floods in October and November 2022.

The 2022 floods were among the worst Victorian flood disasters on record and caused significant damage across most of Victoria’s local government areas affecting many community spaces, sporting facilities and assets.

Under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the Federal and State Governments have provided more than $11.8 million to 125 voluntary committees of management.

With this funding, the committees are restoring significant community gathering places and tourist destinations including halls, caravan parks, camping areas and multi-use recreation reserves for use by residents and visitors. The projects will also consider upgrades to improve their resilience against future disasters.

The flood recovery projects range from replacement and upgrade of drainage and power, road repairs, and replacement of fencing, to more complex rebuilding projects.

In the local area, $246,000 has been allocated to repair and restore internal and external damage to the historical Daylesford Museum Reserve and $5,300 has been provided to repair and reinstate the surface at the Daylesford Trotting Track.

Other support within Hepburn Shire includes $27,000 to repair and reinstate retaining walls and pathways at Clunes Free Library Reserve garden area, $4,700 to repair external storage facilities at the Trentham Police Camp Reserve and $192,000 to clear, repair and reinstate walking tracks within the Stoney Creek and Trent Creek Reserves in Trentham.

A full list of successful grant recipients is available at deeca.vic.gov.au/grants/voluntary-committees-of-management-flood-recovery.