Flood recovery support

Victorian Business Recovery and Advisory Service

The Victorian Business Recovery and Advisory Service (VBRAS) is a free business support service that provides expert guidance and tailored support to small businesses. The VBRAS business advisers provide confidential advice, mentoring and other support in areas such as digital marketing, general marketing, financial management, strategy, digitisation and systems and processes. To register visit aigroup.com.au/bras-vic.

Financial counselling for residents experiencing financial hardship

There's free, confidential financial counselling available and is open to anyone who is experiencing financial hardship (not just for disaster affected people).

CAFS in Ballarat offer the service with counsellors to help someone: 

• access relief for utility bills and other payments
• understand government income and other entitlements
• negotiate with their bank on debt issues
• review and understand their insurance options
• explore their options and can advocate on their behalf.

You can make an appointment by calling 1800 692 237.

Connecting flood impacted residents to builders and tradespeople

This program helps connect flood impacted residents to tradespeople to help speed up rebuilding and recovery. 

If your home has been damaged by the 2022 flood events and you’re having trouble getting tradies to help with repairs, register for the program.

Recovery support - Windermere Services for Pyrenees Council

Windermere Services staff, through the Recovery Hotline, are available to provide support to residents who have been affected by the 2022 floods. Windermere is a community support service and the friendly and understanding recovery support caseworkers will work with residents to help navigate the various support services that may be available to them. 

Need help with fencing?

Council is putting landholders in touch with Landmate, for help repairing flood-damaged fencing. Please contact Council's Flood Recovery Team on 1300 797 363 to be referred.

Looking after yourself

Emergencies such as floods can be disruptive and stressful, and the recovery process can take time. Whether you have been directly impacted, volunteering or supporting others, it’s really important to look after yourself.

Some great tips for self care are:

• Spend time with people who care
• Give yourself time
• Try to keep a routine going ie. Eating, sleeping, work, study
• Set realistic goals that keep you motivated, but don’t take on too much.
• Talk about how you feel (the ups and downs) with friends, family and health professionals, when you are ready.

David Younger, clinical psychologist and natural disaster expert, provides some great tips on looking after yourself.

More tips are available on the Beyond Blue website.

Have you registered your flood affected property with Council?

If you have been affected by the floods, please call Council on 1300 797 363 to be put in contact with our dedicated recovery team.  Alternatively, you can call the Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.

Flood Recovery Hotline