Stop by our Castlemaine & Harcourt recovery hubs

Come along to our weekly recovery hubs in Castlemaine and Harcourt.

Book an appointment to:

• collect information
• register for events, workshops and training sessions
• learn about funding
• meet with an Anglicare case manager
• speak to Council about support to return to home, work, hobbies, school and health.

Or just come and have a chat!

Castlemaine
When: Tuesdays, 10.00am to 2.00pm 
Where: 65 Templeton Street, Castlemaine (old Bendigo TAFE building)

Harcourt
When: Thursdays, 11.00am to 1.00pm 
Where: 7 High Street, Harcourt ANA Hall

Please connect with Council's Bushfire Recovery Team to book an appointment.

This is an important step so we can ensure someone is available to meet with you.

Email the team or call 5471 1700 to secure a time.

Harcourt and District Community Recovery Association update

Thank you to everyone who came along to the Thinking Group's HADCRA meeting on Sunday 26 July.

The meeting finalised the details of the association, with fifty registered members and seven non-members in attendance. The proposed rules were endorsed with some agreed changes.

We also heard from some of the new committee nominees – a diverse and skilled group of individuals committed to supporting their community. Election results will be announced soon after and the new committee will start immediately.

The Thinking Group will then stand down and take a well-deserved break. The group has worked extensively on the design and development of the new association. We thank them for their commitment and focus to ensure community voice is strongly represented in the recovery path forward.

HADCRA now has 235 registered members, but we need more!

Please encourage your neighbours and networks to join. Pick up a form from the Harcourt Post Office or sign up online.

Email HADCRA for more information.

Phase three Business Recovery Grants close Friday 31 July

Grants of $1,500 are available for businesses who were impacted by the January fires.

Eligibility criteria:

• Income: Must be the primary source of your Income.
• Lost tools of trade or business premises: A minimum loss of $10,000
• Registered business: Must have an ABN.
• Exclusions: Does not cover hobby farmers, loss of income or stock in trade.

Visit www.harcourtprogress.org.au and scroll down to 'Harcourt Fire Relief Community Fund' for more information.

Applications close this Friday 31 July.
 

Community Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 are now available

Community Recovery Grants of up to $75,000 are now open to community groups and not-for-profits affected by the January fires.

These grants will back locally-led projects that strengthen recovery, connection and wellbeing.

Applications are open to organisations delivering recovery support in an area affected by the fires.

This includes:

• community organisations
• not-for-profits
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
• Traditional Owner Corporations
• community recovery committees
• committees of management.

Toy Story 5 🎥🍿
Free tickets & popcorn combo

Fire-affected residents are invited to pick up free ticket and popcorn combo vouchers to see Toy story 5 on 9 August.

When: Sunday 9 August, 3.45pm
Where: Bendigo Cinema
Voucher inclusion: Admit 1 ticket to movie and popcorn/drink combo

Vouchers available at:

• Harcourt Post Office
• Harcourt Valley Primary School
• Castlemaine recovery hub on Tuesdays from 10.00am to 2.00pm
• Harcourt recovery hub on Thursdays from 11.00am to 2.00pm

Questions? Email our Bushfire Recovery Team.

Tonight – Recovery information session & one-on-one conversations

Learn what recovery support is available from representatives from Council, Harcourt Progress Association and local Psychologist Susie Burke.

Come along for:

• business support
• fencing and fire break rehabilitation
• social wellbeing and support services
• general updates about recovery activities/plans from Council
• an opportunity to share your needs and ask questions.

There will be a presentation followed by opportunities for one-on-one conversations.

When: Thursday 30 July, 7.00pm
Where: Harcourt Leisure Centre

Need advice before lodging a Planning Permit application?

When preparing to lodge a Planning Permit, we recommend booking a pre-application meeting with our Planning Team.

You'll benefit from:

• early identification of issues
• a better understanding of the Planning Permit process
• a faster process, as there will be less need for us to request extra information later on.

A pre-application meeting is an open discussion where everyone works towards a positive outcome.

We can also point to the likely outcome of your application and make the process more efficient.

Temporary accommodation for homeowners after a fire

When you've lost your home to bushfire, getting temporary housing in place quickly can be a vital step towards recovery.

Victorian Building and Planning laws and regulations allow people to set up emergency housing on their land without a planning or building permit – though there are still some requirements.

Visit our Clean-up and rebuild page for information on temporary accommodation, staying on your land after a fire, emergency accommodation buildings and accommodation notification requirements.

Questions? Email our Bushfire Recovery Team.
 

Equipment Grants stream new addition to Community Grants

We're offering up to $2,000 for purchases of essential equipment that enable community groups to operate safely, sustainably and inclusively.

Come to a drop in session next month to speak to our Grants Team. They can answer your questions and provide guidance about your grant application and its eligibility.

Harcourt drop-in session
Date: Tuesday 13 August
Time: 11.00am to 1.00pm
Location: Harcourt Valley Heritage Museum and Visitor Centre

Applications close Monday 24 August.

You can still register for free clean-up support

If your home, business or community asset was damaged and you don't have insurance, or not enough, you can register for the State Government’s free clean-up program.

You can register for help even if: you are still finding out about your insurance, you started clean-up yourself but haven't been able to finish it, or you withdrew from the program but still need help.

Register for free clean-up:
www.vic.gov.au/register-for-cleanup
1800 560 760 (option 3)