Boost for tourist sites after flood and storm damage

The popular Daylesford Spa Country Railway – damaged in the significant flood and storm event in 2021 – is one of several local tourist assets and community facilities in Hepburn Shire receiving recovery funding from the Victorian and Federal Governments, with clean-up works already underway.

The $7 million statewide community clean-up effort is jointly funded between the Commonwealth and the Victorian Governments and will clean up the damaged heritage railway, walking trails, recreation reserves and fire access tracks in Hepburn and Macedon Ranges.

In Trentham, trees that are blocking walking trails will be cleared from parts of the Wombat Trail and Domino Rail Trail to help efforts to reopen the trails.

Racecourse, Stony Creek and Trent Creek Reserves in Trentham will also see clean up works, along with the Rail Reserve from Lyonville to Bullarto.

The works are jointly funded through Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and cover the demolition and removal of hazardous trees and structures in community assets located on public land.

Projects were identified in consultation with local councils and are aimed at supporting community connectedness, safety and wellbeing.

Bushfire Recovery Victoria is delivering the flood and storm clean-up program in partnership with Johns Lyng Group, Australia’s largest disaster recovery specialist.

The widespread damage following the June 2021 flood and storm event left a complex clean-up job, and damaged homes were prioritised.

With the work to clean up damaged homes successfully completed on schedule, the effort turns to supporting community assets – clearing the path to full recovery and giving a boost to local economy. Clean-up works commenced last week on many of the projects.

The $105 million state-coordinated flood and storm clean-up program is jointly funded by the Federal and Victorian Governments.

For more information, visit vic.gov.au/storm-clean-up-program. Information on disaster assistance is available on the Federal Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"We can’t change what these communities went through, but we are doing what we can to make the recovery journey that little bit easier and help rejuvenate the local economy."

"These are vital community assets that are part of what makes Hepburn and Macedon Ranges such a great place to live and visit – we’re getting on with the wider clean up so communities can recover and welcome more visitors back to the region."