Bushfire recovery grants for community facilities

Status:: Closed
Who can apply:: Not-for-profit groups
Funding:: $0 - $50,000

Submit your applications via the grant portal. If you have any questions about this, please contact the grants team directly by emailing grants@brv.vic.gov.au

The Bushfire Recovery Grants for Community Facilities will support community groups who want help to build, upgrade or repair important local facilities that everyone can use.

Successful Recipients

January 2023

$48,490 for Benambra Neighbourhood House to construct a Men’s Shed
$12,000 for Bendoc Progress Association to upgrade facilities at the Resource Centre
$50,000 for Biggara Recreation Reserve Committee to improve to the local community hall
$41,970 for Biggara Valley Community Committee to distribute radio units and base stations across the district
$50,000 for Buchan Heritage Group to support the restoration and preservation of the historical Buchan Butter Factory
$42,000 for Cann River Community Centre to construct a shelter
$39,925 for Cann Valley District Representative Group to develop an area for resilience and recovery activities
$5,000 for Cassilis Recreation Reserve Committee of Management to upgrade public toilets at the reserve
$50,000 for Club Terrace Recreational Reserve to improve to the Club Terrace Community Facility
$20,000 for Combienbar Public Hall and Recreation Reserve to support the upgrade and maintenance of the hall
$50,000 for Eskdale Recreation Reserve to upgrade their facilities
$28,600 for Gippsland Agricultural Group to purchase farm research equipment
$11,099 for Harrietville Television Committee to improve the broadcast coverage across their remote population
$46,200 for Jarvis Creek Landcare Group to refurbish the Jarvis Creek Hall facility
$16,000 for The Kiewa Cricket Club to outfit the new multi purpose pavilion
$50,000 for Merrijig Public Hall Inc. to make upgrades to the hall
$50,000 for Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre Inc. to upgrade kitchen facilities
$50,000 for Noorinbee Public Purposes Reserve Committee of Management to build facilities at the Noorinbee Public Hall
$10,000 for Orbost Regional Health to purchase of new equipment for local playgroups
$5,000 for Reedy Creek Progress Association Inc. to buy a generator for the Reedy Creek Community Hall
$49,163 for Southern Farming Systems to buy equipment and implement an education program for farmers
$50,000 for Tambo Crossing Community Association to buy furniture and equipment for the community facility
$49,370 for Towong Hall Reserve Committee of Management to construct a deck at the hall
$50,000 for Upper Murray Historical Society to improve to the Snowy River Museum precinct
$50,000 for Wangaratta Rovers Football and Netball Club to upgrade their communication equipment
$50,000 for Wulgulmerang Recreation Reserve Committee of Management Inc. to improve the pavilion and amenities block at the reserve.

September 2022

$34,692 for W Tree Promotion and Progress Association Inc for hall refurbishments
$29,346 for Upper Murray Community Radio Inc to collocate the community radio station with the local community hall
$38,000 for Tawonga Riding Club to construct an outdoor riding arena
$45,000 for Bullumwaal Mechanics Hall Reserve Committee Of Management for hall refurbishments
$28,920 for Myrrhee Recreation Reserve Committee Inc to upgrade tennis courts
$38,816 for Buchan Hall and Recreation Committee for hall refurbishments
$48,191 for Bendoc Community Memorial Hall & Recreation Reserve Inc for hall refurbishments
$50,000 for Buchan Neighbourhood House for building upgrades
$47,355 for Bonang Public Hall Committee of Management Inc for hall refurbishments
$50,000 for East Gippsland Gymnastics Club for gym equipment
$46,819 for Tubbut Hall And Development Association Inc for hall refurbishments and an outdoor area
$48,862 for Goongerah and District Arts Education & Employment Inc for building upgrades
$9,810 for Tawonga Mount Beauty Bowling Club Incorporated for repairs to the bowls club
$50,000 for Buchan Bush Nursing Association to create an outdoor area
$46,541 for Myrtleford Public Cemetery to deliver important upgrades and maintenance
$47,701 for Bruthen Mechanics Institute Committee of Management for hall refurbishments.

April 2022

$45,000 to upgrade playgrounds at the Edi Upper Hall and the Whitfield Recreation Reserve
$50,000 for an accessible restroom at Wangaratta Kennel and Obedience Dog Club
$50,000 for a storage facility for the Rotary Club of Mitchell River
$50,000 to build a dedicated bushfire storage facility to house firefighting and fire prevention equipment at Tamboon Inlet
$50,000 for playground upgrades at the Tambo Upper Community Hall
$50,000 for building renovations of the Mossiface Public Hall
$50,000 to purchase a tractor and mower for the Walwa Golf Club
$50,000 for building renovations for the Corryong Opportunity Shop
Friends Of Errinundra received $50,000 for building renovations
$50,000 to upgrade to an accessible restroom at the Tintaldra Recreation Reserve
$49,975 to install an energy system including solar panels and battery storage at the Corryong Historic Machinery Club
$49,709 for an accessible toilet and shower upgrade
$49,307 for repair works to the Tallangatta Sports Centre
$48,637 for building renovations at the Cudgewa Hall
$48,400 to purchase a tractor for the Cabbage Tree Creek Hall
$46,500 to install water tanks in Clifton Creek
$45,220 to construct an arena and stockyards at Chiltern Rodeo Club
$43,360 for a storage facility for Twin Rivers Lions Club
$39,317 to purchase fireproofing equipment for community buildings in Cabbage Tree Creek
$39,000 for building renovations at the Milawa Hall
$38,633 to upgrade display cases at the Omeo Historical Society
$35,123 for a storage facility at Cabbage Tree Creek Hall
$11,550 to install a community notice board and wayfinding signage
$10,000 to replace a damaged restroom
$10,000 to upgrade and repair fitness equipment at Orbost Regional Health
$7,646 to build an under cover area at the Myrtleford Bowls Club
$4,372 to install security equipment at Sarsfield Recreation reserve.

September 2021

$45,600 for Tallangatta Rail Trail Advisory Group to upgrade the High-Country Rail Trail Boggy Creek.
$49,967 to upgrade the Wairewa Public Hall and Recreation Reserve facilities.
$50,000 for the construction of a new facility for Myrtleford Scout Group.
$49,900 to upgrade the Cudgewa Recreation Reserve, including fireproofing.
$47,473 to upgrade the Bright Bowls Club.
$50,000 for a new kitchen facility at the Mansfield Football and Netball Club.
$11,810 for the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre to purchase a Christmas tree for ongoing festive seasons.
$6,000 for Springhurst Recreation Community Hall to upgrade ceiling tiles and replace fluro lighting with energy-efficient LEDs.
$50,000 to repair the Gang Plate Layer Historical Cottage.
$50,000 to repair the Noorinbee Public Purposes Reserve Hall.
$30,000 for a new four-turf wicket on the recreation oval at Metung Swan Reach Cricket Club.
$50,000 to improve the facilities and clubhouse at the Bairnsdale Tennis Club.

July 2021

$50,000 for stage two of works on the start of the trail at Big Hill Mountain Bike Park.
$50,000 for upgrades to the Myrtleford Community Hall.
$50,000 to replace the Mongan’s Bridge Caravan park playground.
$45,000 to upgrade the kitchen and bathroom facilities at the Lucknow Memorial Hall.
$40,017 to upgrade the facilities at the Myrrhee Hall.
$35,024 for the Omeo and District Agricultural and Pastoral Society to upgrade their community meeting facilities.
$35,000 to build a skate ramp at the Harrietville Recreation Reserve.
$33,586 to resurface the netball court at the Lakes Entrance Football and Netball club.
$32,000 for the Rotary Club of Bright to replace the fence around their waterslide.
$31,549 to purchase a lawnmower for the maintenance of the Glenaladale Recreation Reserve.
$28,000 to install infrastructure on the Tambo Bluff walking tracks to prevent damage to the environment and ensure user safety.
$20,000 for Riviera Care to develop a traineeship focussing on manual skills and mentorship for men of all ages, including mental health support.
$15,750 to upgrade the Myrtleford Men’s Shed.
$15,700 to upgrade the clubhouse facilities at the Myrtleford Lawn Tennis Club.
$13,000 to replace the cricket pitch at the McCarthur Cricket Club.

Timeline
26 June 2020 to 30 June 2022

Guidelines

Applicant eligibility

To be eligible, an organisation must be either:
- a community, not for profit or Aboriginal organisation that is an incorporated legal entity under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2001 (Vic) or the Corporation (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth)
- a social enterprise with a clearly stated purpose or mission related specifically to supporting bushfire recovery
And you must have:
- a current Australian Business Number (ABN)
- no outstanding final reports or final reports required for any previous government grant programs
We strongly encourage applications from:
- new and emerging community organisations
- not for profit community organisations,
- Aboriginal community-controlled organisations
- local organisations that are based in bushfire impacted areas
Auspice organisations

Auspice organisations can support unlimited applications from lead applicants.

If your organisation is not incorporated or does not have an ABN, you may still apply if you are supported by an eligible auspice organisation that has agreed to manage the grant for you.

An auspice arrangement is when a larger organisation assists a smaller organisation to fund a project.

The larger organisation is known as the auspice organisation. Your community group or organisation is known as the grant recipient.

The following are examples of organisations that can auspice a smaller group or partner in an application but cannot apply as the lead applicant:
- local councils
- preschools, TAFE institutes and universities
Who cannot apply?
- state and federal government departments and agencies
- individuals and sole traders
- unincorporated community organisations
- commercial enterprises
- fixed trusts
- local councils, including council managed, operated, administered and regulated trusts (can act as an auspice)
- registered primary and secondary schools, preschools, TAFE institutes and universities (can act as an auspice)
- commercial enterprises are not eligible to apply for a grant alone (they can partner with an organisation as a sponsor and only provide contributions)
Selection criteria

Provided your organisation is eligible to apply (see Applicant Eligibility) your application for a Bushfire Recovery Grant for Community Facilities Grant will be assessed against the following:

How well it meets the five key selection criteria set out below, and

Whether you demonstrate all application requirements and provide all the required documentation.

In preparing an application, you are encouraged to engage with your local Community Recovery Committee (where it exists) to assist you in meeting the selection criteria.

1. Purpose

Applicants must provide an explanation of how their facilities project will deliver direct benefit to a bushfire affected community and supports one or more of the objectives of the Community Recovery and Resilience Grants initiative.

2. Community participation

Applicants must demonstrate how the project will:
- be used by the community
- be accessible to the community
- be promoted to the community
Please note, 'word of mouth' is not a valid promotion type.

3. Location

Applicants must demonstrate that their facilities project is located in a bushfire affected area and describe how the bushfires directly impacted on their community.

As of June 2020, the following Local Government Areas and Alpine Resorts are considered within the scope of the Community Facilities program:

Local Government Areas

Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga

Alpine Resorts

Falls Creek, Mount Buller, Mount Hotham and Mount Stirling

4. Planning and delivery

Applicants must provide a clear explanation on how the project will be undertaken and the anticipate completion date.

This explanation should include a description of how the delivery of the project will provide economic benefits (e.g. use of local trades) and social benefits (e.g enhanced wellbeing) for the local community.

5. Budget

Applicants must provide evidence to show that:
- costs of community facilities are accurate and reasonable
- include any in kind or co-contribution funding support
Further mandatory requirements

Applications for projects on public land must be endorsed by the relevant land manager (e.g. Local Council or the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning).

Applications must outline how the proposed project(s) will comply with the Victorian COVID-19 restrictions and requirements.

Applications must comply with any other applicable legislation (e.g. Aboriginal Heritage Act 2008 (Vic), local planning laws)

Assessment criteria

Applications received will be assessed against the criteria as outlined below.

Weighting

Number of objectives of the Community Recovery and Resilience Grants Initiative the project meets and the extent to which those objectives are met
- 30%
The positive economic benefits for the local economy from the project
- 25%
Community participation and accessibility
- 25%
The direct impacts of the 2019-20 Victorian Bushfires on the community
- 20%
Funding agreements

Organisations approved for funding will enter into a Victorian Common Funding Agreement (VCFA) with Bushfire Recovery Victoria.

The VCFA will outline:
- the grant’s terms and conditions, including use of funds
- agreement terms
- key deliverables and due dates
- reporting requirements
Organisations that are successful in receiving funding will have 30 days to enter into a VCFA. If a grant offer is not accepted during this period, the grant may be withdrawn.

Reporting

Organisations will be required to report on the funded activity and can submit their final reports online and must submit their final report on time.

Guidelines - Bushfire Recovery Grants for Community Facilities
pdf188.3 KB

Updated 4 August 2023

Bushfire recovery grants for community facilities

Bushfire recovery grants for community facilities

Successful Recipients

January 2023

September 2022

April 2022

September 2021

July 2021

Timeline

Guidelines