Cash splash for rural communities

April 9, 2022 BY

By Lachlan Ellis

Close to $1.4 million has been provided for 117 projects across remote, rural and regional Australia, and Moorabool has been granted a piece of the pie.

Of the 117 projects given funding by the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR), 33 are in rural Victoria, sharing a total of $366,637 in grants.

Two projects in Moorabool will receive funding under the Strengthening Rural Communities (SRC) program – the first, in Dunnstown, will see $4,640 supplied for back-up batteries, boosting the area’s disaster preparedness.

Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Tom Sullivan said the funding would be vital to boost preparedness for future disasters, after last year’s devastating storms.

“We’ve had a few incidents in the past 12 months, where the first thing that happens is, telecommunications go out. Even getting updates and advice on what’s happening when the power goes out is impossible – that was quite evident during the storms in Blackwood, Greendale, Korweinguboora, and Barkstead last year,” Cr Sullivan told the Moorabool News.

“This funding will allow the local community to become more resilient…I think resilience is something we’re going to have to get good at going forward. Disaster readiness and those issues have been really elevated to government…if there’s any opportunity to put in funding for it, Council would be more than willing to promote that.”

While the damage storms cause is inevitable, Cr Sullivan said, it’s the “lack of knowing what’s happening” and being unable to connect with family and neighbours that projects such as the back-up batteries can remedy.

The second Moorabool recipient was Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services, which runs the Melton and Moorabool TAC L2P Program.

Acting L2P Project Officer at Djerriwarrh, Debra Milvain, said the program was vital for young drivers, and the $10,000 in funding would help the program continue to grow.

“The TAC L2P Program assists young learner drivers aged 16-20 years, who are without appropriate family support to achieve their necessary 120 hours of supervised driving experience. The Moorabool L2P Program provides a much-needed pathway to a licence and independence for our young people,” Ms Milvain said.

“A fully fuelled car is provided as part of the program and at present, we are using a borrowed car from a Djerriwarrh Youth program. The grant will go towards a new Moorabool L2P vehicle, supporting ongoing growth of the program.

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-04-05/23

in the 5 April 2022 edition
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