Cardinia Shire Council has welcomed funding from the federal government to expand emergency relief support for residents experiencing financial hardship during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Emergency Relief (ER) is a federally funded program that provides immediate, short‑term assistance to people facing financial stress or crisis and who have limited means to meet essential needs.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Brett Owen said the additional support was a positive outcome for the community.
“Council had been advocating to all levels of government for some time for Cardinia Shire’s fair share of funding, including writing to the Minister for Social Services, The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, last year calling for additional emergency relief support for the Cardinia Shire community,” Mayor Owen said.
“This funding will help service providers to deliver essential support — from emergency relief and material aid to crisis assistance, financial support, and vital information and referral services.”
Mayor Owen said the funding from the federal government would support and strengthen the invaluable efforts of local not‑for‑profit organisations and charitable services that operate across the shire, offering residents a range of emergency relief such as food assistance, material aid, and free community meals.
“Council remains committed to strengthening the wellbeing of our community, and we will continue to work with service providers across the region to support residents and connect them to the help they need, when they need it most,” Mayor Owen said.
To access emergency relief in Cardinia Shire, please visit: serviceproviders.dss.gov.au/?ppp=20&programme=Emergency%20Relief®ion=Cardinia&state=Victoria
For a range of local support services and resources, please visit: www.cardinia.vic.gov.au/cardiniasupport
