IT money for Yarriambiack

Yarriambiack Shire Council will have $72,950 in State Government funding to meet its technology needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Member for Northern Victoria Mark Gepp confirmed the funding, which is part of a $3.8million 2020 Rural Councils ICT Infrastructure Support Program.

The program is designed to help rural councils with costs imposed by COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings and workplaces.

Under the restrictions, councils have had to adopt remote working conditions and virtual meetings to keep essential services running, continue consulting with communities and making decisions.

Mr Gepp said rural councils faced particular challenges meeting the costs of this work, with limited financial resources to fund the training, equipment and other ICT infrastructure required.

He added that councils played an important role in rural and regional areas and would be vital to recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19.

The State Government has invested in a variety of shovel-ready infrastructure projects.

“Yarriambiack Shire Council has done fantastic work for its community throughout the pandemic and it’s great the State Government has been able to support them in this way,” Mr Gepp said.

“As we move into recovery from the pandemic, Yarriambiack Shire Council will have an important role to play for our community and we’re making sure they have the tools they need to do the job.”