East and Central Gippsland Drought Small Business Support

Purpose and Program Overview

The East and Central Gippsland Drought Small Business Support program offers tailored assistance to businesses affected by drought in the East Gippsland and Wellington Shires in Victoria, Australia. The program provides various support options designed to improve drought resilience, aid recovery, and strengthen the capacity of local businesses and producers to manage ongoing seasonal challenges. Services include financial counselling, one-on-one consultations, regional coordination, and funding to build community resilience and infrastructure.

A key focus of the program is to integrate community development with practical drought response measures. This includes supporting local producers with expert advice, facilitating access to financial support such as the Farm Household Allowance, coordinating drought-related responses at a regional level, and funding for community events and infrastructure upgrades that enhance drought readiness and social cohesion within affected communities.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range: Up to $25,000 for engaging technical experts; other support services may be free or funded separately
• Application open: Ongoing support services; check local service providers for current intake
• Application close: Not specified; programs may operate continuously, given drought conditions
• Eligible industries: Farm businesses, landholders, and small businesses affected by drought in East Gippsland and Wellington Shires
• Required co-contributions: Varies by program component; financial counselling is generally free; co-contributions may apply to infrastructure grants
• Location: East Gippsland and Wellington Shires, Victoria

Priority Sectors

• Agriculture and related small businesses in East Gippsland and Wellington Shires
• Community organisations supporting drought resilience and recovery

Funding Scope

• Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free financial advice and assistance with farm household allowance applications
• One-on-one advisory sessions for producers on seasonal management and accessing support programs
• Regional Drought Coordinator acting as liaison and information source on drought risk, services, and pressures
• Community Resilience Program funding events and small infrastructure projects, fostering social cohesion and drought awareness

Grant Amount in Total

• Varies by support option; specific grant pools for financial counselling, advisory services, and community resilience are not separately disclosed.

Eligibility Criteria

• Businesses and producers affected by drought in East Gippsland and Wellington Shires
• Must be financially impacted or at risk due to drought
• Access to support services typically requires registration with local providers or the CMA
• Community groups may be involved in resilience projects

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Financial counselling and farm business planning
• Drought management consultations and planning
• Funding for community events and infrastructure improvements (halls, hubs)
• Capacity building and information sharing on drought preparedness

Assessment Process

• Financial counselling and advisory services are provided based on need and application to providers
• Community Resilience grants are assessed competitively with a focus on community benefit, engagement, and alignment with drought recovery priorities

Recent Program Updates

• Continued funding emphasis on drought resilience programs in the Gippsland region
• Expansion of community resilience projects and drought coordination roles to meet evolving needs
• Integration with state drought support strategies, including Farm Drought Support Grants

Application Tips

• Engage early with service providers such as Agriculture Victoria and the Regional Drought Coordinator
• Prepare documentation outlining drought impact and support needs
• Collaborate with local community and producer groups for resilience funding applications
• Ensure compliance with program guidelines and deadlines as communicated by local authorities

Where to Get Help

Applicants are encouraged to contact Agriculture Victoria, local CMAs, or seek professional grant consultancy such as Pattens Group to assist with eligibility assessment and application development. Further information and contacts are available on the Agriculture Victoria and regional development websites.