Moorabool council is offering rates assistance to landowners whose properties were damaged by the recent Scotsburn fires in a bid to help the town get back on its feet.
Residents who lost their homes, or whose businesses, pastures or properties were impacted by the fires, can apply for a change to payment arrangements or deferment without incurring penalty interest.
A grassfire that zigzagged through Scotsburn and surrounding towns on Saturday, December 19, burned 3000 hectares and destroyed 11 homes and 55 buildings.
The council’s Post Impact Assessment Report confirmed one house was damaged but habitable, one house damaged but not habitable, 45 water tanks affected, about 4000 animals killed, and hundreds of kilometres of fencing destroyed.
Moorabool mayor Allan Comrie said the council was committed to helping locals recover and stay informed.
“We recognise that these families will be doing it tough right now, and Moorabool shire is doing all we can to assist them to get back on their feet,” Cr Comrie said.
“This community lost 11 homes and more than 55 outbuildings, many of which would have contained equipment for business purposes and some home businesses.
“Rate assistance is one of the many ways we’re working with this community in the aftermath of the fire.”
The state government announced $180,000 for Moorabool and Ballarat councils to support community recovery after the Scotsburn fires. A fund of a further $100,000 has been set up to support recovery initiatives in Scotsburn and Barnawartha, in the state’s north-east.
Buninyong MP Geoff Howard said the extra support from the state government would help his community “as it continues on the path of recovery after the fires”.
“As the local member, I want to thank the Victorian community for all their support since the fires, whether it’s repairing fences or supporting affected families,” he said.
Rates assistance forms can be found at www.moorabool.vic.gov.au, the recovery centre at Buninyong and council offices.
