Charlton was flooded on September 6 after the Avoca River burst its banks, and various rural areas of the Loddon Shire flooded early in September.

Chairman of the Flood Recovery Ministerial Taskforce and Treasurer John Lenders announced a $10.4 million interim response package yesterday, aimed at helping businesses and communities affected by Victoria’s worst floods in more than a decade.

The package includes $5 million to help restore community infrastructure, with grants of up to $300,000 available for councils and community groups; $5 million for flood-damaged businesses and farms, with grants of up to $15,000 available through Rural Finance Corporation; $100,000 for councils to encourage visitors to their region; and $300,000 for five flood-recovery officers to help councils.

A second government package will be announced in coming weeks.

Buloke Shire mayor Leo Tellefson said farms and businesses affected by floods were the main concern for the shire.

“Farmers have been affected by the floods, with fences going missing. While they are used to that, it doesn’t make it any easier, especially after 10 years of drought,’’ he said.

“We pressed the government for reimbursement for the council, and businesses because they weren’t insured. If we were to pay the road repair bill, we would be in dire straits.’’

Loddon Shire mayor Gavan Holt said the council would look at any available assistance in the wake of the floods, which damaged part of the shire’s 5000km road network.

“There has been hundreds of thousands of dollars in road damage and we do not have enough money to maintain the roads.’’

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