Victorian floods: Funding announced for regional shires

Communities grappling with cleaning up after last week’s floods are now the focus of mental health and wellbeing efforts, as disaster fatigue hits many.

January rain in stone fruit and horticultures regions of Victoria has damaged crops and flooded paddocks, with some producers left to clean up after the second flood in as many years.

AusVeg Chair Bill Bulmer, based at Lindenow in East Gippsland, said ongoing wet and warm conditions were the “biggest killer” in the horticulture industry.

He said summer rain was causing issues with fungus, disease, and insect pressures for growers, with many struggling to get out onto wet and waterlogged paddocks.

“I know a potato grower here, they lost about $2 million worth of potato crop,” Mr Bulmer said.

“Growers seem tired. They’re stressed, and it’s making life pretty difficult in the horticulture sector.”

In Seymour, floodwaters destroyed some horticulture crops while also hitting homes and businesses.

Communities grappling with cleaning up after floods swept through regional Victoria last week are now the focus of mental health and wellbeing efforts, with disaster fatigue hitting many after a month of heavy rainfall.

Mitchell Shire Council mayor Louise Bannister said while the community of Seymour was resilient in the face of a second major flooding event in recent years, she was worried for the ongoing mental health of people.

“There are a lot of different emotions. People are pretty resilient, and have a tough attitude. In saying that, I’ve spoken to a few people who before these floods were still quite traumatised from the last flood.”

Ms Bannister said the council’s Seymour flood recovery hub – established in 2022 in the wake of the floods that year – would be extended, with the addition of a hub in Kilmore.

“As a council, we’re more worried about the mental health of the community this time,” Ms Bannister said. “We’re hoping the physical damage hasn’t been too hard. But we’re worried about the mental health of the community.”

Disaster payments are available for regional communities affected by flooding, with NAB also announcing financial relief and grants for affected individuals.

The federal and state governments have united to deliver disaster assistance for communities in the following council areas: Alpine, Baw Baw, Benalla Rural City, Campaspe, East Gippsland, Gannawarra, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mansfield, Mitchell, Mount Alexander, Murrindindi, South Gippsland, Strathbogie, Wellington and Yarra Ranges. 

Information on disaster relief can be found online at disasterassist.gov.au or emergency.vic.gov.au/relief.

Seymour floods, where 81mm of rain fell in 24 hours. Picture: Supplied