More time to apply for Fire Ready Communities grants
Thursday, 01 September 2011
Victoria's bushfire-prone communities now have until 23 September to apply for Victorian Government grants that will boost preparedness against fires Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan said today.
The Government will provide $5 million over the next four years for the Fire Ready Communities program to support local councils and groups to fund practical and commonsense works to increase bushfire safety in the state's most at-risk communities.
Grants of up to $30,000 will be available under the program for community safety projects and up to $100,000 for community network projects.
Funding could be used, for example, for the establishment of reliable alternative communication options such as a UHF network which does not depend on power supply, landline telephone services or mobile phone coverage.
The Government wants to encourage innovative local solutions to enhance bushfire safety, recognising that a one-size-fits-all approach is not the right answer in these communities. Under this program it is up to local communities themselves to make decisions about what is required to make communities safer, more informed and better prepared.
The first round of projects to be funded under the Fire Ready Communities program will be announced during Fire Action Week from 13 – 20 November.
The Fire Ready Communities grant announcements will complement a range of other activities to promote bushfire awareness during Fire Action Week.
Fire Action Week events held by fire agencies across Victoria will entail many family-friendly events including CFA and MFB family days, fire planning days and other important education programs that will help people get on the front foot and understand fire risk.
A comprehensive four month advertising campaign will also run during the high risk period featuring print, radio, online, outdoor and television ads to further reinforce the message about preparing and planning for bushfires.
For more information on the program contact the Grants Information Line on 1300 366 356 or the Department of Planning and Community Development
