<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Up to $2.5 million will be pumped into the economy in regional Victoria where police are searching for </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-shooting-updates-dezi-freeman-remains-at-large-after-huge-police-operation/12ba3086-f7a5-44d5-b54d-6a2881e113ab" rel="" target="_blank" title="a man who allegedly shot dead two police officers"><span>a man who allegedly shot dead two police officers</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Accused gunman Dezi Freeman allegedly fatally shot police officers Neal Thompson, 59, and Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 34, and injured a third last month, sparking a huge manhunt.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Victorian government has today announced it will put up to $2.5 million towards supporting the visitor economy in Porepunkah, Bright and surrounding region including north-west of Melbourne.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-climate-change-risk-assessment-property-impact/6278ac2c-1e4a-4a60-867b-66e761984ebf" target="_blank"><strong><span>Aussies staring down the barrel of looming $770 billion catastrophe</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Up until yesterday, </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-shooting-updates-dezi-freeman-remains-at-large-after-huge-police-operation/12ba3086-f7a5-44d5-b54d-6a2881e113ab" rel="" target="_blank" title="members of the public had been advised to avoid the area"><span>members of the public had been advised to avoid the area</span></a><span> in the Victorian high country since the shooting.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Locals told 9News the normally thriving town had struggled for nearly three weeks under the travel restrictions. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's been hard, we lost I'm guessing, in the 20 thousands in turnover," Cherry Walk Cafe owner Leanne Boyd told 9News.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-manhunt-porepunkah-help/097c479e-84f0-41bb-bc96-eb4b3694b8f9" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some of the government package will go to Alpine Shire Council and the local business chamber.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Treasurer Jaclyn Symes announced local businesses will be able to </span><a href="https://u26892420.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.czRgix5dsuISVD4k7s4OuQJqtlViH2WngoQEPpbBFK6UQD-2F1a9Cq44ODSXymtxWRKE-2F-2F4u6fZVtRd6S3Oy7yI6YlQpAQ42-2FTTZFO3JxvJQAlfUdJrx8cvl-2FxOhxj0DA1CWw1OohB-2BvoL8V66CKT-2BOw-3D-3DdEZf_vxkfzV-2BIudkIaWM8JtNW8uBJnLZGIg8i-2B83LePk7Gn2O5fd6Qlf-2FuaeGrghn0cQ2ya472lP22x0BrA5a0fHl4KPwBVYGCiw8OGDI2tRrrDFzX6v-2BcoOS9S4zoK485cpH6r860e5yk0atSbDe7yQ7EKQtQipiqpgm9QEUp-2Fv9MAgJDKOX6uRVFT95x5gPMEASKl8wGeq5laCroQs9Ub5tDQl4YfFDG7kY1miCoQmg6sKdFwhOWqOJVIAaI8d6fqsnaa8ScZfBaXXgBTdgYEetwZJBrPN-2BGQdRwEt3miMLT0NF6wf6lNUu-2Bo1aee9NFzpGf2o6-2Bfhkyp1-2B7VFbjJxw1g-3D-3D" rel="" target="" title="apply "><span>apply</span></a><span> for $5000 grants if they've lost money after the tragedy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Money will also be earmarked to push Ride High Country, an 2170km trail for cyclists.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What occurred was shocking and utterly heartbreaking and we'll continue to stand with the Porepunkah community and provide them every support they need," Symes said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"While our brave emergency services are still responding to this unthinkable crime, we know that businesses need support. This package will help the local community right now and into the future."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Minister for Small Business Natalie Suleyman said the package will support small businesses through the "challenging period."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulous urged locals to visit the area.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"When it is safe to, I encourage all Victorians to take the opportunity to travel to Porepunkah which is in one of the most stunning regions of our state and nation," he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/charlie-kirk-shooter-tyler-robinson-what-we-know-political-views-explained/9a17a048-d30a-4bd2-8882-a24bc7d7ca27" target="_blank"><strong><span>What do we know about Charlie Kirk's alleged killer?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Leaders are also flagging services on offer for locals including special </span><a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mental-health-coaching/small-business-owners" rel="" target="" title=" BeyondBlue "><span>BeyondBlue</span></a><span> support for small business owners.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Other help includes </span><a href="https://go.telushealth.com/en-au/vic-mental-health" rel="" target="" title="Worker Mental Health Support Helpline"><span>Worker Mental Health Support Helpline</span></a><span>and </span><a href="https://www.rfcsvicne.org.au/" rel="" target="" title=" Rural Financial Counselling Service"><span>Rural Financial Counselling Service</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/elon-musk-calls-for-change-of-uk-government/d34320f7-0c54-4325-babc-f6ac5ad6241c" target="_blank"><strong><span>'Left is party of murder': Elon Musk lays blame over Charlie Kirk assassination</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Earlier today, a criminologist and forensic expert said she believes </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/porepunkah-shooting-updates-dezi-freeman-probably-still-alive-criminologist-says/da70ae57-426b-4ba0-87ba-33a949c9a511" rel="" target="_blank" title="Freeman is probably still alive as the police manhunt"><span>Freeman is probably still alive as the police manhunt</span></a><span> for him enters day 22.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Xanthe Mallet was speaking with </span><em><span>Today</span></em><span> this morning after Victoria Police said the search for Freeman in the state's high country had been the biggest tactical operation in Australian policing history.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My sense ... would be that he's possibly still on the run. He may have people assisting him," she said.</span></div></div>