After a month of "disappointment and frustration" fire-affected farmers in the Greater Hume local government area can finally access disaster funding.
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The relief funding was signed off on Friday night for the local government area which was left "waiting and wondering" after the Green Valley Talmalmo fire impacted areas such as Jingellic on New Year's Eve.
Greater Hume mayor Heather Wilton said the council was made eligible for category c funding under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
"It was a huge relief really when I finally got the phone call about 20 past five on Friday to say it had gone through," she told The Border Mail.
"We almost got to the point of banging our heads against a brick wall, we just couldn't believe it was happening when councils to our north, east and south were made eligible from day one.
"We had phoned nearly everyone you can think of, there was just a lot of frustration and disappointment."
The disaster funding opens up a community recovery fund that in NSW, includes up to $75,000 for farmers and small businesses.
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"For our farming community, who have lost a hell of a lot, that money won't fix everything but will go a long way in helping them rebuild," Cr Wilton said.
"But the emergency is almost over, so it is a bit disappointing it has taken so long, not for me or the council but for our residents who have lost so much."
Member for Albury Justin Clancy said the news was "a welcome relief".
"I really feel for our landholders who have been affected but it hasn't come soon enough," he said.
"It is there now and gives a level of assurance which is for me what has been the most important thing all along, to help those people who have been impacted by these devastating bushfires."
Other shires, including Snowy Valley, Towong, Alpine, Indigo, Wangaratta and Wodonga were all granted category c funding prior to Greater Hume despite some areas not being directly affected by the fires.
