During a recent briefing at Victoria’s State Control Centre, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled a significant financial commitment aimed at aiding recovery efforts from the devastating bushfires. The combined contributions from both federal and state governments will elevate the total Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements to an impressive $329 million.

Albanese outlined the allocation of these funds, emphasizing their role in a multitude of recovery initiatives. “This funding encompasses clean-up programs, emergency recovery support, and assistance for businesses and local governments,” he explained.

He further detailed that the support would extend to repairing damaged public lands and waterways, offering rebates for recovery water tanks, and ensuring comprehensive funding where it is most needed. “Our goal is to assure the public that the government stands ready to support them during challenging times,” Albanese affirmed.

The urgency of this support is underscored by the vast destruction—the fires have ravaged over 400,000 hectares in the past month alone, leaving a significant impact on the region’s landscape and communities.

More than 400,000 hectares of land has been scorched by bushfires over the last month alone.

The fires have razed more than 1300 structures, including 400 homes, according to Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said on Wednesday.

Four fires are still burning across the state, but firefighters have been able to bring all but two of the blazes under control.

Four watch and acts warnings remain in place for the Walwa and Carlisle River fires, where it’s still deemed too unsafe to return to several communities in the fire zone.

Residents in Gellibrand, Lovat and sections of Carlisle River are unable to return to their properties due to fire danger from Carlisle River blaze, after they were evacuated on Tuesday.

Those in Berringama, parts of Bullioh, Koetong, Lucyvale and Shelley, Bucheen Creek, Cravensville and parts of the southern end of the Nariel Valley and surrounds can’t go back to their properties near the Walwa bushfire either.

Warnings have been reduced in areas surrounding the fire activity zones in recent days.

The announcement comes after the federal and state governments earlier announced a joint $171 million disaster recovery payment support package for fire-impacted communities.

Those funds cover support for primary producers, residents who have experienced prolonged power outages and uninsured homeowners who have lost their properties.

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