Broad calls for more funding to go to flood victims

By Georgia Tacey

Jun 29, 2023

Flood victims deserve better: State Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad. Photo by JIM ALDERSEY

State Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has called the flood recovery fund into question.

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Speaking in Victorian parliament, Ms Broad said many victims were still missing out, while most of the funding would be spent on employing consultants to undertake reviews and studies.

“It is over eight months since the floods and I was in Rochester recently and there are still 300 households living in caravans, sheds and tents,” Ms Broad said.

“The Neighbourhood House is relying on donations for blankets, heaters and support staff.”

She said community members were also seeking funding to hold social events to bring the town together.

“Can the minister please explain why funds are being used on consultants rather than grass-roots programs, and advise when community grants will be open to help local communities recovering from the floods?” she said.

Ms Broad compared the funding to what was received following the bushfires, saying the support was “vastly different”.

“The personal stories of the people impacted by the October 2022 floods are just heartbreaking and they deserve far more support than they are getting,” she said.