Council Support Fund
Parks, playgrounds, footy grounds, community centres and other local assets have also been damaged during the recent fires.
The Council Support Fund will provide funding of up to $750,000 to bushfire-affected councils to help start clean-up and restoration of these local public assets.
Road repairs
Fires have affected not only road surfaces, but also critical roadside and safety infrastructure such as barriers and signage.
Crews will be out fixing and replacing wire rope and guard rails, cleaning up trees and debris, making sure signage is intact and undertaking road repairs.
Works on routes including the Murchison-Violet Town Road will ensure this critical detour route for the Hume Highway remains open for local communities.
The Department of Transport and Planning is preparing for works on roads including the Murray Valley Highway, Benalla-Tocumwal Road and Shelley-Walwa Road.
Public land and waterway repair works
Immediate repair works to public land and waterways have started.
This recognises the devastating impact the January 2026 Victorian bushfires have had on the natural environment.
This work includes:
- making roads and bridges safe so they can open as quickly as possible
- land management works
- critical mitigation of immediate risks to threatened species and biodiversity.
It also includes catchment and waterway restoration activities. Works is being delivered in partnership with Traditional Owners groups.
Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store rebuild
Kickstarting Victoria’s agricultural recovery is a priority, with $500,000 going towards accelerating the rebuild of the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store facility.
More than 95 businesses in Harcourt and the surrounding region rely on the facility to keep apples, pears, seed potatoes, wine, craft beer and beehives at temperature.
This funding will contribute to costs not covered under insurance, such as clean-up of damaged stock and project management to oversee design and construction.
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