The Nationals Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh, has this morning told the Victorian Parliament there is $200 million of federal funding available in Round Three of the Disaster Ready Fund – and it could help change the future of flood-ravaged Rochester.
But Mr Walsh says this funding – to establish a housing resilient program – can only be accessed by state governments.
He says on February 3, Federal Emergency Management Minister, Senator Jenny McAllister, wrote to a resident in Rochester, and said: “The Victorian Government did not request a Resilient Homes Fund program, unlike NSW and Queensland”.
“Clearly the governments in NSW and Queensland care about their regional residents – and just as clearly, the Allan Labor government doesn’t give a damn about theirs,” Mr Walsh says.
“Questioned about this by ABC News on February 21, Premier Allan said ‘tailored support’ drove her decision-making,” he says. “In that press conference, when asked if she would apply for the third round of this funding after ignoring the first two, and Rochester was highlighted as a prime case, she said ‘we do make these applications informed on what communities are telling us what the need is’.
“How many times do you need to hear their message Premier? Your government has been told over and over, it’s in the media, and was begged for at length in the parliamentary inquiry into the 2022 floods.”
Mr Walsh says 988 homes – that’s 92 per cent of Rochester – along with 60 businesses and shopfronts and thousands of acres of farmland were drowned by the Campaspe in 2022.
He says today there are still more than 200 empty homes in the town, empty because of damage and despair – and disinterest by the Allan Labor government.
“Most of those people want to come home, and can’t – and that’s wrong,” Mr Walsh adds.
“Applications for round three of the Disaster Ready Fund close on April 2. Premier Allan you have 15 days to submit project proposals to the National Emergency Management Agency,” he says.
“Millions and millions of dollars are just sitting there and not costing your bankrupt budget a single cent. For heaven’s sake, swallow your petty pride and ask for the money and finally do something positive for the people of Rochester.
“All the visits and handwringing by your government in Rochester after the floods means nought if you won’t help make a better future.”
CAPTION:
Talking to media after touring Rochester during the 2022 floods were, from left, The Nationals Member for Nicholls, Sam Birrell, Rochester business leader Glenda Nichol, The Nationals federal leader David Littleproud and the Member for Murray Plains, Peter Walsh.
