Please note: this is an archived news article release

This article was published on Thursday, 26 September, 2024. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Planning and building assistance rebate scheme for flood recovery

The Victorian Government initiative aims to help communities recover from floods by providing a rebate to homeowners to support the rebuilding process.

The October 2022 floods saw significant flooding across the state which caused power outages, road closures, and damage to tens of thousands of homes. The Planning and Building Assistance Rebate Scheme for Flood Recovery is designed to support homeowners with costs associated with preparing applications for planning and building permits to repair or rebuild homes damaged during the floods.

If your home was damaged during the October 2022 floods the Victorian Government, in partnership with Windermere Child and Family Services, is offering up to $3,000 per affected property to eligible applicants. This rebate covers services such as:

Preparation of a concept plan
Architectural plans
Preparation of a planning permit application report
Technical reports (bushfire planning, flood or hazard assessments etc.)
Land surveys
Title documents
Geotechnical assessments
Engineering reports or equivalent
Arborist reports
Planning consultant fees
Building permit fees.

Council’s Director Community, Louise Mitchell, encouraged Greater Shepparton residents who were affected by the floods to make the most of this rebate.

“Our region went through a very difficult time following the October 2022 flood event. The region was significantly impacted in many ways. If there was damage to your home during the flood event, it will be beneficial to apply for this rebate,” she said.

To apply for the rebate, residents must submit an application and any relevant receipts to Windermere via email or by post. The application is assessed by Windermere and if found to be eligible, a payment will be made to the applicant equal to the amount shown in the provided receipts up to a total of $3,000.

Applications for the rebate scheme close on Saturday 31 May 2025.

For more information regarding the Planning and Building Assistance Rebate Scheme for Flood Recovery and how to apply, visit the Windermere website here.

You can also email RecoverySupport@windermere.org.au or call 03 8781 9988 for additional information and support.