Concessional loans of up to $500,000 are now available to eligible small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations, who have suffered significant damage to assets or significant loss of income as a direct result of the bushfires.

These loans are available in the local council areas of Ararat, Alpine, Ballarat, East Gippsland, Glenelg, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Indigo, Mansfield, Moyne, Northern Grampians, Pyrenees, Southern Grampians, Strathbogie, Towong, Wangaratta, Wellington and Wodonga and the Alpine Resorts of Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Mount Stirling and Falls Creek. The costs of these loans will be jointly shared by the Federal and Victorian Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Minister for Emergency Management, David Littleproud MP, said the funding will help those affected get back on their feet sooner and the Victoria Government is taking the lead in the delivery of these programs on our behalf.
“The Government is committed to supporting the recovery effort and this agreement will take one more burden away from those rebuilding their lives,” said Mr Littleproud.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Lisa Neville, said the arrangement acknowledges the unprecedented scale and scope of the bushfire devastation and both government’s shared commitment to alleviate the financial burden on those affected.

“The concessional loans will provide vital means for the restoration and replacement of small business and primary producer assets damaged by the bushfires, or deal with the significant hardship and added stress of significant loss of income”, said Ms Neville.

For more information on Bushfire Recovery Victoria visit www.vic.gov.au/bushfire-recovery-victoria

For information on bushfire concessional loans for small business, primary producers and non-profit organisations, including eligibility criteria and guidelines visit www.ruralfinance.com.au/victorian-bushfire-assistance-landing