Victoria the only state to not ask for the Commonwealth’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements

Flood-ravaged communities are reeling after the state government failed to ask for any advance disaster relief payments offered by the Commonwealth.

Lorraine Wilson, 83, is living in a caravan while her home of 60-years is rebuilt after the devastating 2020 Rochester floods. Picture: Jason Edwards

Victoria was the only major disaster-hit state not to ask for hundreds of millions in advance payments from the Commonwealth, prompting concerns from regional communities waiting for their lives to be rebuilt.

The Andrews government insists the cash advance will not change how quickly support is doled out and has turned the issue back on the federal government to demand a simpler funding process.

On Friday, the Albanese government announced it would bring forward $1.8bn in disaster payments to state governments to fast-track work rebuilding efforts.

The money is provided under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), in which councils petition state governments for recovery money on key projects.

The state is later reimbursed a significant share of these costs by the Commonwealth – allowing state and federal governments to contribute.

In an effort to speed up works, the Albanese government asked all disaster-impacted states who had significant reconstruction costs to apply for upfront funding.

But Victoria did not take up the deal and the $1.8bn was spread across New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia.

Floods devastated the Rochester community last year. Picture: Jason Edwards

Councils have been crying out for disaster cash for months, with Campaspe Shire Mayor Rob Amos warning in April that Rochester and other flood-hit areas urgently needed more financial help.

Special Envoy for Disaster Recovery, Senator Tony Sheldon said the advance payments came as councils were finding it difficult to keep up with repairs.

“These payments have already been delivered to the states, and we’ve made it clear that we expect it to be hitting the ground quickly,” he said.

“I want to thank the states for taking up this offer and jointly recognising the real community need on the ground.”

Municipal Association of Victoria president David Clark said he was “straight out angry” about the decision.

“It’s one thing to kick down on councils, but our only reason for being is to look after the people in our communities,” he said.

“Denying them this money is completely unacceptable.”

“Recovery from serious flood damage doesn’t happen quickly, and it costs money.”

When asked about the DRFA money, a state government spokeswoman said it was not additional funding and was “simply paying the states in advance for what councils may spend”.

Many Rochester residents still live in caravans. Picture: Jason Edwards

“It has no effect on how quickly money gets to affected communities and we expect to receive the same repayments next financial year,” she said.

Premier Daniel Andrews has written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asking him to urgently relax the evidence rules councils must meet to prove they deserve DRFA support.

But Deputy Nationals Leader Emma Kealy said the state’s decision was a snub to communities waiting for repairs that could take years to complete.

“The Premier should be standing by Victorians desperate for cash flow to help rebuild after the devastating 2022 floods,” Ms Kealy said.

Rochester flood mitigation committee member Tracie Kyne said locals in the area, many of who still live in caravans or temporary accommodation, were struggling to hear back from government departments.

She said insult had been added to injury this week when their local community Facebook page had been blocked by the social media accounts for the Premier, Deputy Premier and Goulburn Murray Water.

“They don’t want to talk to us, they don’t want to see us, and they don’t want to hear anything we have to say,” Ms Kyne said.

“But we are the ones who are paying the price.”