Almost 40 Mallee volunteer committees of management have received joint Federal and State flood recovery funding but more needs to be done as Mallee rebuilds, Member for Mallee Anne Webster says.

The flood recovery grants for voluntary committees of management enable them to identify and deliver the work necessary to clean up and reinstate the reserve or facility they manage.

“The Victorian floods were devastating for many people and community groups in Mallee,” Dr Webster said.

“This funding is great for community groups to support their rebuild, getting our Mallee communities back to normal.”

Dr Webster said it was good to see groups receive funding, after the Andrews Victorian Labor Government previously dropped the ball on a Federal Government advance payment to fast-track repair works.

“These grants are valuable but that advanced funding would have been a real boost for Councils who desperately need funds to fix community infrastructure damaged by floodwater,” Dr Webster said.

Dr Webster called on the Federal Government to work with local Councils to ensure facilities are not only rebuilt, but flood proofed in the future.

“The Albanese Labor Government needs to allow Councils to build back better ,” she said.

“For example, an unsealed dirt path washed away by floods can’t be built back as a flood proof paved path – the Government needs to see common sense on this.

“Our communities have been hit hard by the flood crisis, what they don’t need is shoddy Government efforts to help them rebuild.”