Wimmera-Mallee businesses still waiting on government bushfire support

Governments are under fire from businesses in the Grampians and other parts of western Victoria for a lack of bushfire recovery funding.

Wimmera-Mallee businesses reeling from prolonged summer bushfires are still in limbo about whether they will receive federal government financial support to offset disaster-related losses approaching $40m.

The Grampians fire started in mid-December, forcing many businesses in Halls Gap to close while Dimboola and other surrounding communities were cut off during the Australia Day long weekend following another blaze that broke out of the Little Desert National Park.

But Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who toured the Grampians fire zone by air with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in late December, is yet to write to the federal government seeking the Category C and D support as required.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan toured the Grampians fire zone in late December. Picture - PMO

Halls Gap business owner Justine Hide said the region felt “forgotten”.

“It is really disappointing when you see the federal government handing out money in South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania over the last two weeks,” she said.

“But we’ve been in dire straits of no visitation since December 17 when I had to inform 230 people on a train from Adelaide that it wasn’t safe to stop.

“We’ve had such a long impact now and people are starting to make decisions about selling or closing up their business.”

Northern Grampians Shire estimated losses to businesses of $13m on the one-month anniversary of the fires starting, another $8m as they persisted into February and a further $19m to come as cancellations continue.

Halls Gap businesses are still suffering from the prolonged summer bushfires. Picture: David Crosling

Nationals Mallee MP Anne Webster said “anger was running hot” and she had written to Ms Allan and Mr Albanese calling for urgent action.

She said the delay was doubly frustrating when North Queensland flood victims had funding within 15 days.

“North Queensland’s floods started on 29 January, their new Premier got cracking seeking the Category C and D relief communities and business need and it was granted 15 days later,” she said.

“Damningly for the Allan Labor Government, after Halls Gap was closed over 60 days ago and the Little Desert fires began more than 20 days ago.

“The Allan government sadly has form here, with similar delays for Dadswells Bridge after last February’s fires.”

A Victorian government spokeswoman said: “These bushfires have been devastating for the Grampians and surrounding areas.

“We’ll continue to support the communities who have been affected and we’ll have more to say on further support soon.

“There are both Commonwealth and Victorian government funded financial support services available to communities affected by bushfires, including up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders who have experienced loss of income.”

Meanwhile, Kennedy MP, Bob Katter, has written to Mr Albanese calling for Category D grants of up to $75,000 to be urgently approved for North Queensland farmers.

“We appreciate the support provided so far, but $25,000 is simply not enough to get our farmers back on their feet,” he said.