Regional Development Victoria Visits Pomonal Recovery Centre

Regional Development Victoria (RDV) visited the Pomonal Recovery Centre recently to meet with key stakeholders from across the region who have played a pivotal role in Pomonal's bushfire recovery journey.

During the visit, representatives from Ararat Rural City Council’s Pomonal Recovery Centre, the Pomonal Progress Association, and the Pomonal Hall & Recreation Reserve Community Asset Committee met with Regional Development Victoria CEO, Xavier Csar, and other RDV representatives to discuss Pomonal's bushfire recovery efforts.

RDV representatives heard stories about the initial informal recovery hub that was self-established at the Pomonal General Store before it moved over to the Pomonal Hall, and how a local Toyota dealership helped coordinate much-needed donations.

They also discussed the home rebuilding journey to date and the loss of Jill Miller, a prominent local who was instrumental in the initial post-bushfire period, connecting the community's needs with the required support.

In February 2024, the Allan Labor Government provided a $200,000 grant from the Tiny Towns Fund to help Ararat Rural City Council establish a central Community Hub with critical infrastructure and resources. So far, the funding has delivered:

• Wheelbarrows and other gardening equipment used for the clean-up efforts.
• Equipment and resources for the Pomonal Recovery Centre to assist residents with claims and other administrative matters.
• 3 phase power upgrades, which has enabled the Pomonal Hall to host a greater number of larger community activities and events that help to build social connections, strengthen community resilience and build capability and capacity.

Pomonal representatives also gave insights into the additional ongoing benefits the funding has provided to the community, including the ability to power the Pomonal Market, and the Pomonal Growers & Producers Market, held on alternating fortnights.

"We were pleased to once again host Regional Development Victoria in Pomonal,” said Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison. “This visit provided a valuable opportunity to directly discuss our community's remarkable resilience and the ongoing bushfire recovery journey,”

Quotes attributable Regional Development Victoria CEO Xavier Csar

“The stories we heard, of bravery and resilience in the face of significant challenges, were very moving and a great testament to the strength of the community.”

“It’s wonderful to see that the community are back on their feet – we look forward to seeing the recovery process continue to return people to a sense of normalcy.