$1m lottery grant to boost Edgecumbe

The flood-stricken residents of Edgecumbe are getting a helping hand - thanks to a $1 million lottery grant.

Several hundred homes were damaged in flooding that swept through the eastern Bay of Plenty town in April.

Today, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne announced $1m of the Lottery Grants board reserves would go towards helping affected residents.

The money would be managed by a subcommittee that would manage requests for help with community wellbeing and with the recovery of community facilities and services.

"The subcommittee will consider requests until all of the $1m has been distributed," Dunne said.

"I urge those community organisations that are in the flood-affected area and can benefit from receiving a grant to apply as soon as they are able."

Dunne said the subcommittee would be working closely with other organisations in the area to "ensure a co-ordinated approach" to flood-recovery assistance.

Requests for assistance to improve the lives and wellbeing of the community, including capital works up to $30,000 required for the recovery of community facilities, may be made through the Department of Internal Affairs online grant management system from today.

For further information go here