The Victorian Chamber is still working with bushfire affected businesses across the state to deliver meaningful support and business outcomes, and to ensure recovery is sustainable.

We know that there is no quick fix for the damage and heartache caused, which is why this will continue to be a long-term priority.

This week, alongside the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC), we were pleased to welcome the announcement by the State Government of an additional $64 million bushfire recovery package for disaster declared areas across the state.

This extra funding responds to evidence and recommendations from the Victorian Chamber and VTIC on measures that will help ease financial and regulation pressure on disaster affected businesses.

Since the fires began, both organisations have engaged extensively with members and businesses in fire affected areas to understand how they have been impacted and what assistance would help.

Four key areas of concern were raised by business and communicated to Government; these included fast tracking clean-up and restoration, cutting the cost of operating a business, supporting business through the cashflow crisis and bringing visitors and trade back to directly and indirectly affected parts of Victoria.

The Victorian Chamber and VTIC presented this evidence to the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments at the Prime Minister’s small business roundtable, which has helped shape the assistance available as detailed in our media release.

We are also continuing to support members and fire affected businesses with a 12-month, $500,000 support package we announced earlier this month. Services include mental health support from access to the Victorian Chamber’s Employment Assistance program, local training and business mentoring, Workplace Relations Advice Line and membership fee waiver for bushfire-affected members over the next year.

For more information, visit https://victorianchamber.com.au/bushfires, call the Victorian Chamber on: 03 8662 5333 or email the team at: disaster@victorianchamber.com.au.

In closing, this week, the Victorian Chamber was delighted to present our second ignite digital magazine. Building upon the first, which underlined the potential of Australian innovation, this issue highlights the benefits of Victorian researchers and businesses working together. I encourage you to read a copy, which includes articles by CSIRO, IP Australia, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria University and RMIT University – plus, an insightful Q&A with our expert ignite speakers.