Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Belgrave’s Puffing Billy Railway Board has received more than $56,000 to support their project in creating a heat refuge for volunteers working in extreme heat conditions.
Funded by the federal government and distributed by the state government, the grant is part of a $9 million package for 50 projects statewide to help communities and councils to reduce the risk and impact of natural hazard disasters and build community resilience.
Puffing Billy CEO Peter Abbott said the funding will enable them to continue to enhance the safety and comfort of their volunteers during hot summer days, and ensuring their wellbeing.
“We are thrilled to have been awarded a Federal and Victorian Government grant to support our project of creating a Heat Refuge for the dedicated volunteers of Puffing Billy Railway.”
“Not only will this initiative directly benefit our volunteers, but it will also have a positive impact on the entire community by enhancing the reliability and sustainability of our operations,” he said.
“We are immensely grateful for the government’s support and are excited to see the positive outcomes that this project will bring for our volunteers and the broader community.”
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said the Federal government is working with the state’s government to ensure Victorians are more prepared for natural disasters, so communities can respond and recover quicker.
“A significant focus of the NPA is to help locally-led organisations address the risks that they have identified, with solutions that will help them better prepare and respond to increasingly frequent and intense severe weather events,” he said.
“The projects that we’re supporting through these grant programs aim to achieve exactly that, and I commend these organisations for their initiative.”
Emergency Services, State Minister Jaclyn Symes said the Risk and Resilience Grants Program highlights the incredible work local Victorian organisations are leading to reduce the risk of natural disasters and build resilience within our local communities.
“We’ll never be able to eradicate natural disasters; however we can ensure local communities are better prepared for when they occur. I look forward to following the success of these crucial projects,” she said.
“The recipients of these grants are working incredibly hard to reduce risks and prepare Victorians for severe weather events.”
