General News
17 March, 2025
Funding is first step to bring visitors back to the fire impacted region
The Albanese and Allan Governments announced more than $29 million in assistance to support immediate and long-term recovery across Western Victoria.
Of this, $24 million will be allocated to Western Victoria businesses affected by bushfires, including $5000 to small businesses and eligible primary producers who have experienced significant disruptions and lost revenue due to the bushfires.
However, in a joint statement, Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster and Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton said the Allan and Albanese Labor Governments had ignored the needs of the Halls Gap community with the Federal Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
“$5000 per business does not even scratch the sides of how much these businesses have lost during this agonising period of closure while anxiously waiting for support," Dr. Webster said.
The funding would provide tourism marketing and promotional activities to boost visitation.
More than $5 million was allocated for an early environmental recovery package and will support the survival of key native species and the recovery and restoration of fire-impacted public lands, waterways, and catchments within Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.
These works would allow the park to reopen safely to everyone while protecting its valuable and unique biodiversity.
The government's relief package will provide a Business Recovery Advisory service on the ground and online and free business support with the right strategies for long-term recovery.
There will also be help with the disposal of fire damage waste from private properties through the four local government areas of Horsham Rural City, Ararat Rural City Council, Northern and Southern Grampians municipalities.
“It’s almost three months now since Halls Gap small businesses were forced to close – for valid reasons – due to the threat of a bushfire," Dr Webster said.
"The emergency management Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, particularly Category D, exists to help those severely and adversely affected by natural disaster events.
“The Albanese and Allan Labor Government’s ‘too late she cried’ approach after they flew over – and did not visit – Halls Gap, has seen businesses on the brink, if not going under," she said.
GWM Tourism chief executive Marc Sleemen said the funding was a result of continuous advocacy and was the first step in providing funds to begin rebuilding both economically and environmentally.
"Rebuilding after the fires will take a unified approach and that includes funding, how we market the region, and the loyalty of the local people," he said.
"These fires in December and January have impacted the wider region, a disaster like this has a flow-on effect and reaches Ararat, Stawell, Dimboola, Horsham, Hopetoun, and communities in between; it shows the importance of visitor numbers and we will be doing some marketing in that space very soon."
"We need to bring people back. But it will take time, it's not a race, but with the continued support of both federal and state governments working with us and the support of the public, we will rebuild.
"The business community here is strong, they are a resilient people, they are very special and we will rebuild."
The recent funding announcement was in addition to the $100,000 allocated for immediate industry support activities for Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism.
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton was critical of the Prime Minister and Premier, saying: “Labor has let down the people of the Grampians and Halls Gap.
"Yes, the bushfires have passed, but their effects remain," he said.
"The PM and the Premier did their fly-in/fly-out visit to Horsham months ago, but they have failed to assist the region in getting back on its feet," he said.
Mr Dutton also notified the insurance companies that they must do better in providing affordable insurance.
“The region needs a helping hand to get its businesses thriving again, turbocharging tourism and getting people visiting again," he said.
"At the moment, all they are getting are tokenistic gestures and lip service from out-of-touch governments in Spring Street in Canberra.
"I will continue to raise this issue with the Prime Minister."
Dr Webster said that when Mr Dutton toured Halls Gap with her after the January fires, business owners said they either couldn't get insurance, had to shop overseas for a policy, or it was too cost-prohibitive to even consider.
“Insurance costs have increased 33 percent in three painful years under Labor and the minuscule amount offered by Labor today is severely insufficient for businesses who are so furious they can’t even talk," she said.
“The $100,000 announced today to promote the Grampians is welcome; it is what Peter Dutton and I called for on the ground in Halls Gap," she said.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister said, “The bushfires in December and January last year have had an enduring impact on communities in the Grampians (Gariwerd) and Macedon Ranges.
“These programs will support small businesses in the area as they recover from these significant fire events.”
“We are working with the Victorian Government to assist impacted communities as they continue with their recovery."
