TEN.046.001.0001
Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority 100 Day Report TEN.046.001.0002
Message from Christine Nixon
Victoria is only just beginning to recover from the 2009 Victorian bushfires.
Rebuilding homes and towns, supporting local economies, regenerating the natural environment and restoring community identity is an enormous task – for government, for businesses, and most of all for the communities themselves. Many people are starting to plan for their future, but many others are still deeply affected by the traumatic experiences they have suffered.
The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments established the Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority to coordinate and oversee the rebuilding program. This Report outlines the steps we have taken in our first 100 days.
Each fire affected community has very specific rebuilding needs. We are now in the process of identifying those needs so we can support communities to rebuild in the way they want. The sheer size of the devastated area and the huge number of people and organisations involved have presented challenges, but we are working through those issues in partnership with Community Recovery Committees, local councils, state and federal government departments and agencies, not-for-profit organisations and the private sector.
Among many other recovery activities, the clean-up is underway, temporary villages are being established at Marysville, Kinglake and Flowerdale, and 29 community meetings have been held with more than 4400 people to develop medium and long-term rebuilding plans that reflect the wishes of each fire affected region.
The reconstruction effort is a sensitive, evolving, step-by-step process. I would like to thank the many thousands of people I have met for their incredible spirit and determination to get on with the job of rebuilding. I would also like to acknowledge the commitment and contribution of our key partners, including the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.
Victoria’s fire affected communities will heal at different times, in different ways. As the rebuilding program gains momentum, we will continue to respect their views, to consult widely, to continuously improve the way we work, and to do everything possible to enable communities to move forward with confidence into the future.
We have a long and difficult road ahead of us – but together we will rebuild.
Christine Nixon, APM Chair, Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority
The Authority’s Terms of Reference
1. Advise governments, coordinate efforts and develop an over-arching plan for the restoration and recovery of regions, towns and communities affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires 2. Work closely with the community in the process of rebuilding and recovery, and ensure that individuals and communities are consulted closely – with such consultations to be transparent and sensitive to local needs 3. Analyse, and advise governments on, the impact of the bushfires on the communities, economy, infrastructure and environment in affected areas 4. Coordinate activities and the work of relevant organisations to help regions, towns and individuals re-establish their communities once it is safe to do so, in a way that is respectful of individual and community needs 5. Ensure that services to people affected are easily available and coordinated across all levels of government and community organisations 6. Work with communities to develop coordinated plans to deal with the effects of the disaster on local economies, communities, infrastructure and the environment. These plans should cover the immediate recovery requirements and longer term development 7. Have overall responsibility for ensuring that communities are rebuilt and projects are delivered quickly and efficiently 8. Work closely with all funding sources, including the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, to ensure effective and coordinated expenditure of funds TEN.046.001.0003
Contents
We will rebuild 1 People and communities 6 2009 Victorian bushfires map 13 Reconstruction 15 Local economies 18 Environment 21 Grants and assistance 25 Next steps and goals for the bushfire reconstruction and recovery 27 Abbreviations and acronyms 27 Important contacts for people affected by the bushfires 28 Communication channels 28 TEN.046.001.0004
We will rebuild
Unprecedented natural disaster In February 2009 Victoria was devastated by the worst bushfires in Australia’s history. The scale of this tragedy was unprecedented. By the time the fires were contained, 173 people had lost their lives and many others were seriously injured, 78 communities were impacted and 430,000 hectares of land was destroyed.
Temporary Village, Flowerdale, April 2009 The long-term social, economic, The Commonwealth Government has The rebuilding task will be complex cultural, physical and environmental also made a significant contribution and far-reaching. impacts of the February bushfires to the recovery, with financial and As each of Victoria’s fire affected are yet to be fully assessed. To date, other assistance totalling $212 million. communities moves down the road insurance claims for residential, In recognition of the unprecedented to recovery, they will be supported to commercial, industrial and farming impact and devastation caused by rebuild based on their local needs and losses total around $1.2 billion. the bushfires, the Commonwealth at their own pace. Government has agreed to fund 50 In the 2009–10 Victorian Budget per cent of eligible relief and recovery approximately $1 billion was allocated activities being delivered by the Victorian Bushfire to fund the cost of fighting the fires and Victorian Government. This includes a Reconstruction and supporting fire affected individuals, number of exceptional circumstance Recovery Authority communities and business to recover. assistance measures under the The Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and The bushfire activities that are being Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Recovery Authority was established three delivered by the Victorian Government Arrangements. This agreement days after Black Saturday on 7 February. are funded either through new represents the Commonwealth commitments, including those published Government’s commitment to assist The role of the Authority is to oversee in the 2009–10 Budget, or are being Victoria to recover from this tragic event. and coordinate the largest recovery and funded from within existing resources rebuilding program Victoria has ever (such as from reprioritisation, existing Both Governments will continue to faced. It will ensure that fire affected grant programs or other means). support the bushfire recovery and communities are rebuilt, that projects rebuilding phase. 1 TEN.046.001.0005
are delivered quickly and efficiently, The Bushfire Recovery and VËËÁjÁË7WÍÁ?ËÜjÁÁ and all those affected by the fires have Reconstruction Committee of John Landy AC MBE access to relevant government and Cabinet – comprising Victorian and (Chair) non-government assistance. Commonwealth Government Ministers
– is responsible for making the policy VËË+ÁwjÄÄÁËßË ?ÜÄË (Vice Chancellor, University The Authority is primarily a coordinating decisions on the Victorian Government’s of Melbourne) body, working closely with communities, response to the bushfires. businesses, charities, local councils VËË0jËË+?ÍÁWË W!??Á? and Victorian and Commonwealth An Interagency Taskforce and an (former Deputy Premier of Victoria) Government departments and Expert Reference Group have been agencies to oversee the rebuilding established to provide advice to and VËË ÖWÁË ßËÖÍjÁ and recovery program. work with the Authority – and comprise (Mayor of Murrindindi Shire Council) of key community stakeholders VËË0jËË-MjÁÍË0WjÁ Individual fire affected communities are including industry bodies, community (Chief Executive of Australian Red now being supported to rebuild in the way organisations, the Municipal Association Cross and former Commonwealth they want. The Authority’s objective is to of Victoria (MAV), the Country Fire Government Minister) understand the different needs of those Authority (CFA), Victoria Police, Members communities and to help them rebuild of Parliament, and Victorian and VËË ÁÄÍjË!ÞË+ and recover in a way that is safe, timely, Commonwealth Government officials. (the Authority’s Chair) efficient, cost-effective and sensitive. Meetings of Bushfire Industry VËË ÞwwWËjMjÁ^Ë+?Ë8Íj At this point, the Authority is also Champions – leading business and (DHS) coordinating two reconstruction community figures – have been held Funds are already flowing to people and recovery projects which are to respond to the offers of assistance and communities affected through a unprecedented roles for government in and discuss ways in which the private series of grants. A separate report is disaster recovery – the demolition and sector can help in the reconstruction being released by the independent clean-up operation and the creation of effort. Future meetings will be arranged Advisory Panel detailing all assistance temporary villages in Marysville, Kinglake if the need arises. and Flowerdale. allocated and distributed to date. Victorian Bushfire The Authority will continue to work Key Leaders and Committees Royal Commission alongside the independent Advisory Panel to share the data and information needed Christine Nixon APM has been Chair The Victorian Bushfires Royal to assist fire affected communities and to of the Authority since 2 March and Commission was established on coordinate the rebuilding program. is responsible for overseeing the 16 February to investigate the causes rebuilding and recovery effort. of and responses to the bushfires. Coronial Investigations On 25 February, the Commonwealth The Authority is assisting the Royal and Taskforce Phoenix Government appointed Bill Shorten Commission by responding to requests The Victorian Coroner is primarily MP as its Parliamentary Secretary and redirecting any enquiries and responsible for investigating the for Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction submissions inadvertently received from circumstances of deaths related to the to assist the Hon Jenny Macklin the public. It will also note the findings bushfires. The first stage of this has been MP, Minister for Families, Housing, of the Royal Commission’s interim to ensure that a rigorous process of Community Services and Indigenous report to be released by 17 August. Affairs, in leading the Commonwealth identification is followed in the timeliest contribution and ensuring a way possible. A key part of this process collaborative Commonwealth-State Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund is ensuring that the many people who lost loved ones in this disaster are response to the bushfire reconstruction The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund supported during the Coronial process. and recovery process. was established on 8 February by the The Authority has established other Victorian Government in partnership The bushfire victim identification process leadership roles and governance with the Commonwealth Government for the 173 people reported missing was mechanisms to support its work. and Australian Red Cross in response completed by the Coroner on 8 May. Major General John Cantwell AO to the overwhelming generosity from The Coroner’s Office is working with a was appointed as the interim head across Australia and internationally number of professionals and experts, of the Authority from 12 February to wanting to support individuals and including Victoria Police and the 2 March until Ms Nixon took over. communities affected by the bushfires. Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine to Major General Cantwell is now the Funds donated through Red Cross have investigate the circumstances surrounding Authority’s Chief of Operations. been transferred into a separate Trust the deaths. Victoria Police has established The Authority is in the process of Account established by the Victorian Taskforce Phoenix which will provide appointing a permanent Chief Executive Government. As of 13 May, over $346 briefs of evidence to the Coroner about Officer to oversee its million has been received and over the circumstances surrounding the fires. day-to-day operations. $240 million has been allocated and If Taskforce Phoenix charge a person made available to bushfire survivors. or persons with criminal offences, that The Authority reports to the Premier Funds are being distributed through the criminal investigation and any prosecution of Victoria and is finalising its staffing Department of Human Services (DHS) will need to be completed before the and support structures. under the oversight of an independent Coroner’s investigation can be completed. Advisory Panel comprising: 2 TEN.046.001.0006
Long-term planning framework
Recovery and reconstruction in fire affected regions is an enormous task that must take into account the needs of all affected communities. The involvement of communities is at the forefront of the planning process and their contribution is being progressed through the ongoing community engagement activities led by the Authority. The first step has been to establish Community Recovery Committees to represent community views. The Authority is coordinating the input of communities, local councils, Victorian Government departments and agencies and the Commonwealth Government as part of the planning process. Project control groups have been established with local councils to assist the rebuilding planning process. Community recovery plans are now being developed by Community Recovery Committees. These plans will capture all of the recovery and reconstruction activity and will be integrated into a Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Master Plan, which the Authority expects to be completed later in 2009.
Recovery and reconstruction framework
The Authority is using a recognised disaster recovery framework and has designed some overall guiding principles to govern activities:
2 People Safety, Health, Welfare, 5 Wellbeing Environment 3 Biodiversity Reconstruction and Ecosystems, 1 Amenities, Residential, Local Commercial, Waste and Pollution Community Management, Rural, Natural Resources Public Buildings 4 Economic Individuals, Business, Infrastructure, Government
Guiding Principles As a starting point for the framework the following Community Engagement guiding principles will govern the overall activities Community involvement is key and will be pursued of the Authority through the recovery process: through all activities with management at the local level empowered to deliver results Welfare The safety and welfare of people in the local Integrity community including householders, volunteers Provision of services and resources will be governed and workers will be the top level priority and will by the principles of fairness and equity not be compromised Tailored solutions Meeting Needs The needs of each community impacted by the fires Resources for recovery will be focused on areas are different and the recovery solutions will be tailored of greatest need in each community to the specific needs of each community.
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Snapshot
Impact of the Bushfires
By the time the bushfires were contained, they had destroyed or affected:
VË Ë?ÄÍË|Ïå^åååËjWÍ?ÁjÄËwËwÁjÄÍÄ^ËWÁ¬ÄË?a VË ÜjÁˤ¤^åååËw?ÁË??ÄËjaËÁËÖÁja pasture, the equivalent of 212,000 Melbourne VË ËÜjÁËÏyyåË?~ÁWÖÍÖÁ?Ëw?WÍjÄ^ËWÖa~Ëa?ÁjÄ^ Cricket Ground arenas hay, wool and machinery sheds VË ËÁjËÍ?ËÔåååˬÁ¬jÁÍjÄËajÄÍÁßja VË ?ÁÖaËÔ¤¤^åååËÍjÄËwË?ßË – another 1400 damaged VË ÈåË?Í?ˬ?ÁÄË?aËÁjÄjÁÜjÄË VË ÜjÁËyyËMÖÄjÄÄjÄËajÄÍÁßja VË yåËW?ˬ?ÁÄË VË ËÍÁjjˬÁ?ÁßËÄWÄË?aËÍÁjjËWaÁj¾ÄËÄjÁÜWjÄË destroyed – with 47 primary schools partially damaged VË |ÉÈËWÖÍÖÁ?ËÄÍjÄ or requiring cleaning VË ÁjËÍ?ËÔååËÄÍÁWˬ?WjÄË VË ËÜjÁˤå^åååËjÍÁjÄËwËwjW~ËrˬÁÜ?Íj^ËÁ?aË?aË VË aÄÁÖ¬ÍjaËjjWÍÁWÍßËÄÖ¬¬ßËÍËÉå^åååËÖÄjaı Crown land boundaries, and internal, the equivalent of four return trips from Melbourne to Brisbane
Emergency Relief Insurance Claims Presentations to public hospital emergency wards 800 Insurance claims received 10,020 Patients admitted to public hospitals 180 Total cost of insurance claims $1.2 billion First aid treatments administered by Red Cross 5200 Emergency payments and Kilograms of food aid provided 500,000 cash settlements made $457 million Offers of accommodation provided 10,000 Claims completed for damaged residential properties 98 per cent Relief Centres established 18 Recovery Centres established 25 Claims completed for damaged commercial properties 99 per cent
Community Consultation and Engagement Housing Community meetings held by the Authority 29 Housing assessments made by DHS 1344 Attendees at these meetings 4400 Public housing provided 113 Community Recovery Committees forming 30 Community housing provided 14 Community Service Hubs established 12 Emergency accommodation provided 252 Bond supplied 156 Private rentals secured 427 Case Management System Donated caravans allocated 55 Case managers 385 Shared accommodation provided 42 Families/individuals accessing case managers 5000 Own accommodation acquired (family/friends) 429
Clean-up Properties registered for clean-up 3000 Grants Grocon crews working in fire affected areas 140 Amount received in Appeal Fund $341 million Properties cleaned up 1008 Amount allocated from Appeal Fund $235 million
* Some statistics have been rounded and were correct at the time of printing
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Community Recovery Planning Day, Marysville, May 2009 5 TEN.046.001.0009
People and communities
Victoria’s fire affected communities will recover at different rates and at different times. Despite this, local families, individuals, businesses and councils are now actively involved in planning for their future.
Emergency Relief and Housing provided to assist service providers Safe Victoria worked closely with the meet the increased demands for industry and unions to ensure that The day after the fires, immediate help emergency relief and to connect those generators were safely connected to and support was put in place. affected with the community support properties without electricity. services they required. The Commonwealth Disaster Plan was The bushfires also damaged major activated and thousands of people Over 10,000 offers of accommodation transmission lines linking the Victorian came together from across a range were made to the newly established toll- and New South Wales electricity grids. of emergency service organisations, free Victorian Bushfire Accommodation The temporary loss of these lines government departments and agencies Donation Line – with over 5200 offers caused extensive local loss of supply – including CFA, Department of considered suitable. on the morning of 8 February. Sustainability and Environment (DSE), Parks Victoria, State Emergency Service Tent cities, now disbanded, were The bushfires also caused substantial (SES), Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), established at relief centres on ovals damage to telecommunication Victoria Police, Australian Defence Force in Yea, Whittlesea and Alexandra. networks, particularly exchanges, (ADF), Australian Federal Police (AFP) Temporary accommodation options base stations and cabling. Bushfires and other Victorian and Commonwealth have included public housing, damaged 18 Telstra base stations and Government agencies. community housing, emergency affected certain services including five accommodation, private rentals, private telephone exchanges, some 2200 ADSL Victorian firefighters were also caravans and placement with families services, 2900 PSTN services, as well as supported by their colleagues from around Victoria. mobile, ISDN and IP services. Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, the This was an extraordinary response and Additional temporary mobile phone Australian Capital Territory, the United greatly appreciated by all Victorians. coverage was established at Yea, States, New Zealand and Canada. The Alexandra, Whittlesea, Whittlesea ADF established a Victorian-based Power and East, Healesville, Healesville Central, joint taskforce of more than 850 people Telecommunications Seymour Central, Trawool, Kinglake, to assist with specialist advice and Flowerdale and Strathewen to enable emergency engineering, medical and In bushfire affected areas, local people to remain in contact. psychological support. electricity distribution networks were severely damaged. In the aftermath of the fires, thousands Medical Assistance of volunteer groups, individuals and On the evening of 7 February more and Public Health community organisations did whatever than 60,000 customers were without Victorian public hospitals provided they could to help. electricity as a result of the bushfires. emergency care to more than 800 By the following morning approximately people and admitted more than 130 As an example Red Cross administered 19,500 customers were still without more than 5200 first aid treatments, patients with a fire-related injury or electricity. Electricity was progressively illness. Victorian Medical Assistance took over 22,000 registrations and in restored to customers over the next conjunction with VicRelief Foodbank Teams were also deployed from three weeks as severely damaged metropolitan hospitals to various supported the provision of approximately parts of the distribution system 500,000 kilograms of food aid. regional and rural hospitals to assist in were re-built. treating those requiring medical care. Emergency relief organisations received In the interim electricity supply was Field Primary Care Clinics were support from the Commonwealth restored to many intact buildings Government, through $6 million established in the fire affected regions with portable generators. Energy of Kinglake, Kinglake West, Flowerdale, 6 TEN.046.001.0010
Whittlesea and Traralgon South, to safely go back onto their property and initial recovery was the largest with paramedics, volunteer nurses to salvage their surviving possessions. ever undertaken by Victoria Police and and general practitioners to support These included face masks, gardening AFP – with all of Victoria Police’s five community and emergency services. gloves, disposable overalls and bags to policing regions and 16 departments collect waste. and more than 150 AFP officers Over 100 environmental health staff contributing support. were deployed to assist councils and The Environment Protection Authority communities in the days and weeks after (Victoria), in collaboration with DHS, Victoria Police coordinated with the the fires to help manage public health undertook an asbestos monitoring ADF to conduct initial Rapid Impact issues including food safety, water quality, program immediately prior to and Assessments. These assessments waste management and effluent disposal. during the clean-up phase. To date, were conducted on behalf of the over 250 samples have been collected Office of the Emergency Services There were significant public health across the bushfire affected areas and Commissioner and provided an risks related to hazardous materials on analysed for total air fibres. In each of understanding of the extent of the fire affected sites, such as asbestos, these samples the level of fibres is less devastation, to assist response and damaged septic tanks and unstable than 0.01 fibre/ml, the level at which the recovery work. structures. As a result, DHS led the test can detect fibres. coordination of a public safety awareness More than 22 manned roadblocks campaign. This included providing – partial and full road closures – were information on returning to fire affected Community Safety established and operated 24-hours-a- sites and the distribution of approximately The size and scope of the policing day at various stages in the fire affected 14,000 ‘fossicker kits’ to allow people component of the emergency response areas of Kinglake and Marysville.
Community meetings the Authority has held or attended
Date Where Attendees Date Where Attendees (approximately) (approximately)
Sunday 01 March Boolarra 150 Saturday 21 March Marysville 800
Sunday 01 March Mirboo North 150 Sunday 22 March Yarram 150
Monday 02 March Traralgon South 350 Sunday 29 March Churchill 60
Wednesday 04 March Kinglake 200 Tuesday 31 March Buxton and Taggerty 150
Wednesday 04 March Kinglake West 50 Friday 3 April Frankston 35
Sunday 08 March Flowerdale 60 Sunday 5 April Strathewen 70
Thursday 12 March Labertouche 300 Wednesday 8 April Healesville 60
Thursday 12 March Tonimbuk 30 Wednesday 8 April Yarra Glen 200
Friday 13 March Kinglake West 600 Tuesday 14 April Haven (Horsham) 30
Sunday 15 March St Andrews 80 Wednesday 15 April Coleraine 30
Monday 16 March Broadford 350 Wednesday 15 April Pomborneit 25
Wednesday 18 March Redesdale 25 Friday 17 April Flowerdale 40
Wednesday 18 March Long Gully 70 Friday 1 May Narbethong 40
Thursday 19 March Stanley 40 Sunday 3 May Marysville 150
Thursday 19 March Mudgegonga 100
Total 4395
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Burnt forest, near St Andrews, March 2009 8 TEN.046.001.0012
Christine Nixon, Community Time Out Day, Traralgon South, March 2009 Additional unmanned road closures The Authority is committed to a recovery have travelled widely to visit fire operated with road signage. These process that includes and engages affected communities and the Victorian restrictions were critical in minimising communities with determining their Government has held Community risks to the community both during the recovery requirements and priorities. Cabinet meetings in the Yarra Valley, fires and during the aftermath because To begin this process, a series of Eaglehawk and Redesdale. of damage to roads and removal of community meetings across Victoria Across Victoria, up to 30 Community unsafe trees. have been held to listen to communities Recovery Committees are being and to begin to understand their specific established to coordinate the recovery Disaster Victim Identification teams were recovery and rebuilding needs. deployed to support police investigations efforts and requirements in their into bushfire related deaths. International Christine Nixon and members of the community. As a first step, these support came from New Zealand Authority have attended a wide range of Community Recovery Committees will Police and Indonesian National Police. community meetings and public events. prepare a community recovery plan, Interstate support came from Western To date, the Authority has held 29 which will outline the many aspects of Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales, community meetings with approximately recovery that need to be considered. Queensland and the Northern Territory. 4400 attendees – with Ms Nixon These plans will encompass the Under operation “Royals”, Victoria addressing communities at 26 of these shorter-term and longer-term wishes Police – with support from the New South meetings. In addition to these meetings of the community for rebuilding and Wales Police, AFP, ADF, SES and CFA – and public events, the Authority has recovery, including: conducted comprehensive searches of also met with a number of community more than 5700 properties. Almost 3400 committees and supported other forums VËËÁjWÄÍÁÖWÍ of those had burnt or destroyed homes across Victoria. (homes, urban design, community or other structures. infrastructure and facilities) Hundreds of issues have been raised The Red Cross provided support to at these meetings. Many comments VËËjÜÁjÍ Victoria Police in managing the National and suggestions have influenced the (parks, reserves, forests and wildlife) Registration and Inquiry System to activities and decisions of the Authority record and account for persons affected and have been raised with other VËˬj¬jË?aËWÖÍß by the fires. organisations, including the Victorian (health and wellbeing of individuals, Bushfire Appeal Fund. The Authority families and communities) Marysville Police Station was destroyed is yet to meet with a small number of and is to be rebuilt. Temporary VËËjWW communities and expects to do so in (rebuilding and supporting accommodation within the township the coming weeks and months. is being used to maintain Marysville business and industry). police service delivery 24-hours-a-day. Ms Nixon has also visited many towns Kinglake Police Station suffered minor and areas and attended a number Donations damage and policing services have of community events, including the been maintained. opening of the Kinglake Football and An overwhelming number of goods Netball Season, the Traralgon South and services were generously donated and Community Time Out Day and the by many people – from individuals to Community Consultation multinational companies. and Engagement Toolangi and Castella Bush Celebration. The management and distribution of Communities recover best when In addition, the Premier of Victoria, the Prime Minister and both Victorian and all the generous contributions received they are supported to manage their during the emergency response and own recovery. Commonwealth Government Ministers 9 TEN.046.001.0013
early recovery phase pushed various The Authority is developing a system to Interim arrangements have seen agencies to their capacity. Importantly, match pledged goods and services to the students from Strathewen Primary the Victorian Government was heavily needs of individuals and communities. School attending Wattle Glen Primary supported by many companies, This system will include a new database School; students from Marysville non-government organisations and of donations, which regionally located Primary School attending Taggerty volunteers with the management and staff can feed into community channels Primary School; and students from distribution of donated goods. to understand the local needs. In terms Middle Kinglake Primary School of the larger donations, the Authority is attending Epping Views Primary School The unprecedented volume of awaiting the establishment of community or Kinglake Primary School while their donations offered within days of recovery plans, being developed by interim schools are established. Middle the bushfires initially challenged all Community Recovery Committees. Once Kinglake Primary School was provided involved in supporting bushfire the plans are finalised the Authority will with a relocatable building complex on affected communities. For example, be better placed to advise major donors land next to the destroyed school, the immediacy of needs required a on the medium to long-term community which opened on 30 March. rapid response and at times it appeared needs. Importantly, the Authority that multiple agencies were trying to will continue to act in its key role as Community members are now starting to address similar needs. coordinator and facilitator of donations plan the rebuilding of schools destroyed by fire at Strathewen, Middle Kinglake The Victorian Government quickly between donors and people in need. The process will ensure the distribution and Marysville. School community developed a database to coordinate reference teams are being formed in the overwhelming amount of donations of donations are targeted and allocated fairly and efficiently. each of the three towns to give local received from across Australia and around input into planning what their new the world. Thousands of donations were schools will look like. Victoria has been matched to people and communities Case Management System given priority access to draw on its share in need, ranging from household and of the Commonwealth Government’s material products to equipment for the On 10 February, the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments jointly $14.7 billion Building the Education clean-up. The generous pro-bono support Revolution Program for reconstruction. of a number of companies assisted with announced that a case manager would the early distribution of material aid to be assigned to each Victorian family The Authority is working with local bushfire affected communities. affected by the bushfires. A case communities in Marysville, Flowerdale management system and call centre and Kinglake on options for rebuilding The Authority is working closely with were established three days later children’s services. Some community communities and non-government to ensure fire affected communities reference teams may explore options organisations to ensure that donated have coordinated access to support, that could see schools and children’s goods can continue to be distributed information and advocacy services. centres located on the same site. to communities throughout the reconstruction and recovery period. Recruiting and supporting the required Regional staff and principals, many A warehouse and distribution solution, number of suitable case managers of whom were directly affected by the jointly funded by the Victorian and within weeks of the fires has been fires, were in constant contact with Commonwealth Governments, is being a challenging task, but was one to families affected by the bushfires to implemented by the Authority to support which Victorian and Commonwealth ensure counselling, education and the longer-term distribution of material aid. Governments and community agencies early childhood services were provided rose. To date, the case management where appropriate. Immediately after the The Authority is working with a number of system has 385 case managers fires, the Department of Early Education major donors, ranging from foundations supporting over 5000 individuals and Childhood Development (DEECD) to corporate donors, who are seeking or families. There is continuing provided activity programs and support to contribute to community projects and demand for this service, with for young children located in relief provide various forms of support. These approximately 100 new people centres in Kinglake, Yea and Alexandra. donors are working with the Authority registering each week. Case to understand the needs and wants of managers are being recruited. DEECD also provided extensive communities, which are guided by a support, including student support community planning process. Case managers are working with families services officers to provide counselling and individuals to assist them with and psychosocial support to schools Over 3000 donations of goods and locating and understanding the services and children’s services in fire affected services were pledged through a range available, and connecting them with the areas; and support for children, of channels and are stored on the services that best meet their needs. adolescents, parents and carers at Authority’s database. These donations a number of relief centres. Funding also include a number from major donors was provided by the Commonwealth who have pledged varying types of Education and Early Childhood Assistance Government to support 29 Victorian significant donations – including offers playgroups, to ensure bushfire affected such as flights, kitchenware, building The 2009 February bushfires destroyed children had immediate access to high services and building materials - to three primary schools at Middle quality early childhood services. support the reconstruction and recovery Kinglake, Marysville and Strathewen. efforts. This amounts to over $10 million A further 47 primary schools were worth of goods, services and financial partially damaged or required cleaning project-focused contributions donated as a result of the bushfires. or pledged to date.
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Relief and Recovery Centres Eaglehawk, Narre Warren North, Narre Whittlesea, Alexandra, Hurstbridge, and Community Service Hubs Warren South, Bunyip, Healesville, St Andrews and Flowerdale. Labertouche, Yarra Glen, Alexandra, Emergency relief centres were Kinglake, Drouin West, Jindivik, Each hub will be overseen by a Hub established, to provide immediate support Mudgegonga and Myrtleford. Recovery Captain. Recruitment is underway for to those affected by the bushfires, in the centres in Mirboo North, Yarra Glen, Hub Captains, who will work closely towns of Healesville, Yarra Glen, Wallan, Alexandra and Boolarra remain open. with Community Development Officers, Alexandra, Kinglake, Kinglake West, Yea, case managers and Centrelink to Arthurs Creek, St Andrews, Diamond Community Service Hubs are a central ensure coordination of individuals’ Creek, Whittlesea, Daylesford, Lilydale, component of the recovery effort. issues with local communities’ issues, Warragul, Yarram, Kyneton, Kilsyth and Hubs serve primarily as a ‘one-stop and to connect with the community Ferntree Gully. Relief centres remain open shop’ for a range of services including development process. The ongoing in Diamond Creek and Whittlesea. financial support, housing and operation of Community Service Hubs counselling, and as a ‘drop in centre’ will be reviewed as necessary. Recovery centres were established, that facilitates interaction amongst to provide support and assistance community members, the development with services to those affected by the of support networks and establishment bushfires, in the towns of Traralgon, of locally relevant ‘recovery’ activities. Mirboo North, Yarram, Warragul, Churchill, Traralgon South, Boolarra, Hubs are being established at Traralgon Horsham, Wandong, Metcalfe, South, Marysville, Kinglake, Kinglake West, Buxton, Narbethong, Strathewen,
Marysville Temporary Village under construction, March 2009 Emotional and psychosocial support In the immediate aftermath of the fires a range of emotional and psychosocial supports were coordinated by local councils, DHS and numerous service providers. Their response was remarkable and something that all those involved should be proud of. During the height of the response Personal Support Emergency Counsellors coordinated by the Victorian Council of Churches were deployed to relief centres and through the Red Cross outreach program. A total of 954 hours of personal support counselling was provided to the fire affected communities. These counsellors played a critical role in supporting those who were most affected by the fires. In several instances, the emotional and psychological support needs of affected communities were such that additional supports were brought in to assist the most affected areas. For example, staff from the Austin Hospital’s Trauma Related Mental Health Service and Royal Children’s Hospital provided support to individuals and families in Marysville and Flowerdale, working in partnership with the Goulburn Valley Area Mental Health Service. The Austin’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service provided support to several communities and Eastern Health and North West Mental Health provided extensive support to the Kinglake and Kinglake West communities. The level of cooperation and collaboration was tremendous.
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Supporting Community Recovery Committees and Teams
VËË ?ßË~ÜjÁjÍËÄjÁÜWjÄË?ÁjËWÁa?ÍjaËÍÁÖ~Ë?ËÁj~?ËÄÍÁÖWÍÖÁjË?aËÍjËÖÍÁÍßËÝËÖÍÄj this to help to deliver its recovery services VËËÁËj?WËÁj~ËÍjËÖÍÁÍßËÝË?¬¬ÍË ÖÍßË-jWÜjÁßË Áa?ÍÁÄ±Ë ÖÍßË-jWÜjÁßË Coordinators will ensure that all people working across Government to support recovery efforts are effectively facilitating recovery solutions for communities VËËÖMjÁËwËawwjÁjÍËÄÖ¬¬ÁÍËjW?ÄÄËjÞÄÍËÍËÄÖ¬¬ÁÍËÍjËÜjÁ?ËWÖÍßËÁjWÜjÁßˬÁWjÄı
Community Recovery Teams - Each region will have a dedicated Community Recovery Team comprised of a range of different local council, Victorian and Commonwealth Government staff - The team will support Community Recovery Committees and be established with a range of appropriate skills and resource levels required for that area - Community Development Officers can facilitate a range of services and support agencies to assist communities.
Community Service Hubs - Community Service Hubs will be available in those communities requiring extended recovery services nearby - The Hubs facilitate the entry and availability of a range of support services for individuals (e.g. Centrelink, rebuilding advice, welfare services) - Hubs will be staffed by a Hub Captain.
Material Aid Centre - Some regions will have material aid centres which distribute donated goods - Where this is not the case, communities will have direct access to the ‘Central’ Material Aid Centre via case managers and the Community Service Hubs.
Case study An important part of community communities of Traralgon South and The committee has also worked with a recovery in the wake of the bushfires Callignee, Hazelwood and Jeeralang, facilitator to support the development is the creation of Community and Boolarra and Yinnar. In the Boolarra of a clear purpose and priorities for Recovery Committees. and Yinnar area, the Council’s recovery the local recovery efforts. A number team first met with the existing Boolarra of short and longer-term community These committees represent the needs Community Development Group to needs have been identified for the of the community and are working form the Boolarra/Yinnar Community community recovery plan. This plan to develop a community recovery Recovery Committee, which focuses on will be presented to the Authority, who plan that covers local business and recovery from the ‘Delburn’ bushfires. will work to facilitate and support the economic issues, building and facilities implementation of community plans. requirements, environmental matters, As part of its work the Boolarra/Yinnar and the health and wellbeing needs of Community Recovery Committee has The Boolarra/Yinnar Community the community. established a mentor program to ensure Recovery Committee is well placed to that displaced people remain in touch support its active community and this is Latrobe City Council has supported with the community, and are informed a great example of the community led the establishment of three Community of community events and activities. recovery that is underway. Recovery Committees in the
12 TEN.046.001.0016
2009 Victorian bushfires
Clonbinane, Heathcote Junction, Kilmore Break of Day, Flowerdale, Hazeldene, Hazeldene South A East, Reedy Creek, Strath Creek, Wandong, B Lives lost: 11 Waterford Park Properties reported destroyed: 219 Lives lost: 3 Properties cleaned up: 146 Properties reported destroyed: 124 Community meeting attendance: 100 Properties cleaned up: 118 Community meeting attendance: 350 Arthurs Creek, Eagles Nest, Humevale, Kinglake, C Kinglake Central, West, South and East, Mittons Bridge, SWAN Pheasant Creek, St Andrews, Strathewen, Upper Plenty, Ouyen HILL Whittlesea, Whittlesea/Humevale Lives lost: 92 Swan Hill Properties reported destroyed: 718 Properties cleaned up: 277 Community meeting attendance: 1035
YARRIAMBIACK Kerang GANNAWARRA
Yarrawonga BULOKE MOIRA H Echuca Wodonga WODONGA Warracknabeal CAMPASPE Shepparton Wangaratta INDIGODIGO LODDON GREATER SHEPPARTON BENALLA WANGARATTA J Benalla St Arnaud
Horsham NORTHERN Bright Bendigo GRAMPIANS GREATER STRATHBOGIE ORSHAMSHAIM BENDIGO ALPINE Seymour Stawell Maryborough MOUNT Mansfield Castlemaine GMIMITCHELLT CENTRAL ALEXANDERER GOLDFIELDS L Alexandra MANSFIELD Ararat HEPBURN MACEDONACE BMMURRINDINDI RANGES A HERN ARARAT BALLARAT WHITTLESEALESSEA E PIANS Ballarat HUME C PYRENEES MOORABOOL NILLUMBIKNILLUMBIIK YARRAYAYDARR Hamilton MELTON GOLDEN Melbourne RANGESRANN S PLAINS WYNDHAM K M BAW BAW CORANGAMITE CARDINIA WELLINGTON MOYNE Geelong CASEY Warragul Traralgon Sale Camperdown GREATER SURF GEELONG MoMorwellorw Colac COAST MORNINGTON FRENCH H LATROBEL BE Warrnambool PENINSULA ISLAND COLAC F BASS BASS Leongatha OTWAY COAST COAST SOUTH Wonthaggi GIPPSLAND
* Figures by community are accurate at the time of printing. ** Properties cleaned up may include both destroyed and damaged properties. 13 TEN.046.001.0017
Castella, Christmas Hills, Chum Creek, Dixons Creek, Glenburn, Murrindindi, D Steels Creek, Tarrawarra, Toolangi, Yarra Glen, Narre Warren (including fires at Lynbrook and Harkaway) Lives lost: 13 Properties reported destroyed: 220 Properties cleaned up: 102 Community meeting attendance: 200
Buxton, Camberville, Granton, Healesville, Marysville, Narbethong, Taggerty E Lives lost: 40 Properties reported destroyed: 529 Properties cleaned up: 141 Community meeting attendance: 1200
Allambee South, Baromi, Boolarra, Callignee, Callignee North and South, Churchill, Darlimurla, F Delburn, Devon North, Dollar, Drouin, Drouin West, Gormandale, Hazelwood, Hazelwood North and South, Koornalla, Jeeralang, Jeeralang Junction, Labertouche, Longwarry North, Mirboo, Mirboo North, Robin Hood, Rokeby, Tarago (Bunyip), Tonimbuk, Traralgon, Traralgon South, Yarram, Yinnar H Lives lost: 11 Properties reported destroyed: 211 K CorryongProperties cleaned up: 80 Community meeting attendance: 1190 TOWONG
G Barfold, Bendigo West, California Gully, Eaglehawk, Iron Bark, Long Gully, Maiden Gully, Redesdale, Sidonia, Specimen Hill, Drummond North, Sailor’s Falls L Lives lost: 1 Properties reported destroyed: 74 Omeo Properties cleaned up: 72 Community meeting attendance: 95
EAST GIPPSLAND Drung, Haven (Horsham) I Lives lost: 0 Orbost Properties reported destroyed: 13 Bairnsdale Lakes Properties cleaned up: 24 Entrance Community meeting attendance: 30
Mudgegonga, Rosewhite, Running Creek (Beechworth) J Lives lost: 2 050 100 Kilometres Properties reported destroyed: 24 Properties cleaned up: 43 Community meeting attendance: 140
Local Government Areas Built Up Areas Coleraine, Pomborneit, Weerite Fire Areas M Lives lost: 0 The Great Dividing Range Properties reported destroyed: 1 Properties cleaned up: 5 Community meeting attendance: 55
14 TEN.046.001.0018
Reconstruction
The longer-term reconstruction process will take time and will be different for each community. Interim measures are now in place to ensure people have the support they need while their homes, towns and regions are being rebuilt.
Clean-up in progress, Marysville May 2009 15 TEN.046.001.0019
Clean-up Temporary Housing at Kinglake West. Management of the and Villages villages will be provided by professional The Authority is committed to ensuring camp managers. A Village Manager has that properties and infrastructure in fire People who lost their home in Victoria’s been appointed at Flowerdale and others damaged communities are built quickly devastating bushfires are being will be appointed at all sites to ensure and efficiently. offered temporary housing while their the smooth and efficient operation of communities are cleaned up and the villages. One of the Authority’s first priorities has rebuilding begins. Some people have been to clear debris and hazardous chosen to move away from bushfire A village code of conduct as well as material from the thousands of bushfire affected areas, while others have opted health and safety plans, and tenancy affected properties. The clean-up to move back to their home communities. management plans are being developed and demolition operation is being to secure residents’ wellbeing. Village jointly funded by the Victorian and For those wanting to stay in bushfire Managers will oversee the formation Commonwealth Governments and is affected areas, every effort is being of these plans in consultation with free, voluntary and open to any person made to assist them to live in their residents, local councils, DHS, Victoria who owns property affected by the community or as close as is currently Police, CFA and the Authority. These recent bushfires. viable. To date, DHS has assisted more plans will be incorporated into a Village than 1300 households with a range of Operations Manual, which will be Grocon has been contracted to deliver housing options, including: the clean-up operation and has set completed for Flowerdale by 30 May and shortly thereafter for other villages. up ten regional bases across Victoria. VË+ÖMWËÖÄ~ˬÁÜajaË ¤¤Ï The process was slow to commence The temporary villages are expected to VË ÖÍßËÖÄ~ˬÁÜajaËË ¤| but Grocon has now established be in place for between six months and 140 clean-up crews working across VËË jÁ~jWßË?WWa?Í two years, subject to need. the fire affected areas. provided 252 The Victorian Government has been A key objective has been to maximise VË aËÄÖ¬¬jaË ¤yÉ given priority access to its share of the the use of local contractors for clean- Commonwealth Government’s Social up works. On the basis that a non- VË+ÁÜ?ÍjËÁjÍ?ÄËÄjWÖÁjaË |ÔÈ Housing Fund, making $1.5 billion metropolitan contractor located within VË ?ÍjaËW?Á?Ü?ÄË?W?ÍjaË yy available to respond to the social or close to bushfire affected areas is housing needs of bushfire affected areas. considered local, a total of 69 per cent VË.?ÁjaË?WWa?ÍˬÁÜajaË |Ô of the work is being undertaken by local contractors and just over 50 per cent of VËË#ÝË?WWa?ÍË?ÁÁ?~jaË Drinking and Waste Water (family/friends) 429 the workforce is local. The Authority is working with local water Temporary villages are being To date, about 3000 bushfire affected authorities to ensure that drinking water constructed at Marysville, Flowerdale properties have been registered with and waste water services are maintained and Kinglake. Grocon by phone or via the Authority’s while damaged systems are returned to pre-fire operations. The Authority website, and new registrations continue Each village will cater for up to 40 has worked with Goulburn Valley Water to be received. Clean-up has been families and 40 single people, with to reconnect water and waste water completed on over 1000 properties. room for expansion, in a mixture of services to Marysville. self-contained one and two bedroom Completion of the clean-up will be moveable units and single and double progressive across the regions and is Many properties in fire impacted areas room accommodation. The Authority projected to conclude on site at the end are not under the jurisdiction of a water is working closely with DHS and local of September. This timeline is consistent corporation and use rain water tanks as councils to have the villages completed with the Government’s original their primary water supply. In the wake and largely occupied by 30 June. commitment to complete the clean-up of the fires DSE, in conjunction with the relevant water corporations, has within six months of the award of the The site at Flowerdale is currently been providing a free temporary water contract, and in the case of Kinglake 70 per cent complete with six tank, and cleaning and water carting and Marysville, within six months of the households in residence. Seven more service in and around the Kinglake area. Coroner’s Office leaving the area. households have been allocated During the recovery phase, access to housing and are expected to move in Grocon contractors are also assisting free reticulated drinking water has been shortly. At Kinglake village, work on the property owners to comply with provided at nine locations by Gippsland site began on 5 May and is expected emergency orders placed by local Water, Goulburn Valley Water and Yarra to be ready for occupancy by late May. councils. Approximately 1000 emergency Valley Water at temporary standpipes Marysville village is up and running, orders have been placed on bushfire and community water tanks. accommodating five families so far, affected properties, requiring the owners with a further 19 moveable units to make them safe. Grocon contractors Over 950 properties have had their under construction. have assisted more than 450 property rain water tank cleaned and around 1100 properties have received one- owners to comply with these orders. Each village will also have temporary off 5000-litre water carting. Another shared amenities, including public toilets, In addition to the Grocon clean-up, 14 drinking catchments are under shower blocks, laundries and communal the Authority has been providing restoration, rehabilitation and recovery, kitchen facilities for use by village reimbursement to property owners who and 16 water treatment facilities that residents and the local community. carried out their own clean-up in the were affected are now operational. Public facilities will also be available immediate aftermath of the bushfires. 16 TEN.046.001.0020
Building and Overlay was the only permit trigger, held several public seminars to assist Planning Processes with further changes to the Victoria people gain an understanding of the key Planning Provisions to ensure, in most elements of the new building standard. Adoption of the Australian Standard cases, that a planning permit will not be AS 3959-2009 for Design and required for rebuilding. Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas has been brought forward. The planning provision amendment The new standard was due to be has also removed the need to obtain a adopted by all States and Territories planning permit in most circumstances in May 2010, but became effective in to support bushfire recovery operations Victoria from 11 March this year. where previously a permit may have been required for the use and/or Under the new standard, sites are development due to the zoning or assessed as being one of six overlay controls relating to the land. Bushfire Attack Levels from low to extreme risk, with specific building The Building Commission, Plumbing measures applying to the higher Industry Commission and DPCD with risk areas. A streamlined planning MAV have developed and distributed process was also applied at that a series of guides and advice notes to time for rebuilding bushfire affected help fire affected communities rebuild. homes, where a Wildfire Management The Building Commission has also
Whittlesea Yea Road, Humevale (Photo provided courtesy of Richard Paton)
Case study
Reconstruction and a return to some The temporary school provides The local community will also play semblance of ‘normality’ for bushfire six portable classrooms, toilets, an integral role in the planning, affected communities has been a a library and an administration scope and shape of the new school. major objective of the Authority area. Playground equipment has since its inception following the also been installed at the temporary February bushfires. school site.
Kinglake embodies the spirit of The provision of a temporary reconstruction with Middle Kinglake schooling option as close to home Primary School students moving into as possible and in familiar a temporary school next to their old surroundings is a great outcome school site on 30 March. for traumatised students.
17 TEN.046.001.0021
Local economies
Many small to medium businesses were destroyed or directly damaged in the bushfires and many others are struggling to survive. Rebuilding local economies is crucial to rebuilding local communities.
Business Relief Relief Fund to support small businesses Tourism and Business indirectly affected by the fires. The Regeneration Thousands of businesses were directly Victorian Government is contributing damaged or destroyed by the fires. $500,000 to the fund, which will give Although the full extent of the direct To help them recover, a number of priority to businesses that employed fewer and indirect impact on tourism and initiatives have been put in place, than 20 staff that had little or no alternative business is still being assessed, including a $51 million Victorian and sources of income following the bushfires. it is clear that businesses in fire Commonwealth Government business affected regions have suffered from support package. The Victorian and Commonwealth cancellations and a drop in visitor Governments are funding around numbers. Many municipalities are This support package includes a 100 professional advisors from VECCI conducting their own surveys and one-off grant of $5000 for clean-up and the Small Business Mentoring reviews on the impact on business and immediate restoration costs Service to provide free professional in their area. The results of these (Tier 1), with additional funds available advice and counselling services to assist assessments will inform longer-term up to a maximum of $25,000 (Tier 2) small businesses and farmers make business development initiatives, for eligible small businesses or informed decisions about their futures. to supplement those strategies primary producers. already announced. To date: Insurance Claims Regional tourism campaigns were VËˤ¤åÉË0jÁˤË~Á?ÍÄË?ÜjËMjjË?¬¬ÁÜjaË Data from the Insurance Council of suspended from 7 February to 13 March with a value of $5.4 million Australia identified approximately out of respect to those who had lost their 10,020 general insurance claims homes, businesses and lives. Businesses VËËÔ¤¤Ë0jÁËÔË~Á?ÍÄË?ÜjËMjjË?¬¬ÁÜjaË that have been received to date and communities are now working with with a value of $3.1 million from Insurance Council members for all levels of government to rebuild their local economies and regions. VËËo|oÔËj¶ÖÁjÄËËMÖÄwÁjË?ÄÄÄÍ?WjË residential, commercial, industrial and farming losses. These total an estimated have been received by Business Tourism generates more than $1.6 insurable loss of $1.2 billion. Of these, Victoria and Rural Finance Victoria. billion annually in bushfire affected 16 per cent have been motor vehicle areas such as Victoria’s High Country, Under a concessional interest rate claims and 84 per cent property or Gippsland, Yarra Valley and Dandenong loans scheme, fire affected businesses contents claims. can also borrow up to $200,000 at Ranges. A $10 million Victorian Bushfire 3.2 per cent interest over five years In addition: Tourism Industry Support Package has through the Victorian Government’s been jointly funded by the Victorian VËËÍjË~jjÁ?ËÄÖÁ?WjËaÖÄÍÁßË?ÄË Rural Finance Corporation. and Commonwealth Governments made approximately $457 million to support businesses economically A $5000 special circumstances in emergency payments and cash affected by the bushfires. This relief grant is also available for small settlements to affected policy-holders package has been developed in close businesses and primary producers who VËËoˬjÁËWjÍËwËW?ÄËwÁËa??~jaË consultation with Tourism Victoria, Parks earn less than $100,000 a year from residential properties and 99 per cent Victoria and tourism operators. The other sources and have not already of claims for damaged commercial package is being rolled out from March received business assistance. properties have been completed. 2009 to June 2011 and will provide $6 million towards marketing, $2 million The Victorian Employers’ Chamber of for visitor facilities and $1 million to Commerce and Industry (VECCI) has bring forward cancelled events. established a Business Emergency 18 TEN.046.001.0022
A Victorian Bushfire Tourism Response 51 per cent of their income from their equivalent of 36,500 volunteer hours on and Recovery Committee has been property can access a Clean-up and clean-up and repairs to 1511 kilometres established with representatives from Restoration Grant from the Victorian of boundary fences on 798 properties. each of the bushfire affected regions, and Commonwealth Governments. It is estimated that, of the 5087 Tourism Alliance Victoria, Parks Victoria Eligible farmers can apply for an initial kilometres of boundary fencing and Victorian Government departments. grant of up to $5000 for immediate recorded as damaged, 2513 kilometres This Committee is overseeing the clean-up and/or stock welfare. A further have been rebuilt and a further 1266 Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry grant of up to $20,000 is available kilometres have been cleared prior Support Package and has approved following a more detailed assessment. to reconstruction. $860,000 for marketing projects and A one-off special circumstances relief $207,000 for new event projects grant of $5000 is available to assist between March and June 2009. farmers and small businesses that have otherwise missed out on a business Local councils and community recovery grant where they do not earn organisations in fire affected regions 51 per cent of their income from can also access grants of up to $3000, their property. through the Bushfire Community Events Program to host community events Private landowners can also access and activities. recovery advice through DPI’s Agricultural Referral Network. Up to ten In addition, a $70,000 Open for Agricultural Referral Officers are available Business corporate campaign has been to assist with issues including pasture established to encourage businesses re-establishment and management, and government agencies to hold weed and pest animal management, conferences, seminars and business whole farm planning, feed planning, events in fire affected regions. The water quality supplies for farm dams, soil Victorian Government is working conservation and erosion control, stock with Business Events Victoria and containment and animal health issues. Tourism Alliance Victoria to encourage DPI has also produced a Recovery After conference business in bushfire Fire booklet and fact sheets to help affected areas such as the Yarra Valley, planning for recovery. Dandenong Ranges, Gippsland, High Country, Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges. Fencing Many landowners have started or Farming Support and Advice completed repairs to boundary fences to contain livestock on their properties. The February bushfires caused DSE and CFA fire fighting crews are significant damage to farming active in repairing fences damaged operations, private property, crops during the fire fighting operation. and livestock. Fencing contractors, neighbours The Department of Primary Industries and service clubs have since proved (DPI) mobilised teams to bushfire invaluable in repairing fences on fire affected areas to assist with managing affected properties. the welfare of farm livestock and to The Victorian Government will conduct fire damage assessments on reimburse reasonable insurance rural properties. To date, over 4800 excess to a maximum of $400 on all properties across a damaged area of insured Crown land forest and park 102,113 hectares have been assessed. boundary fences destroyed or damaged DPI established an agreement with the by bushfires (or fire suppression Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) backburns) regardless of the tenure to provide emergency fodder to fire of the land where the fire originated. affected land owners. The Victorian Under an agreement with the Victorian Government committed $500,000 to Government, the VFF has also activated fund the cost of transport of donated its network of members, volunteers fodder. The VFF then coordinated the and staff across Victoria to help restore collection of 10,500 tonnes of donated boundary fences. DPI fencing support fodder, to ensure that livestock were fed officers are working with the VFF, other in the immediate post-fire period. agencies and volunteer groups to There are grants available through monitor progress towards boundary the Rural Finance Corporation to fence reconstruction and assist with assist farmers and small businesses works program planning. There are affected by the bushfires. Primary 13 VFF fencing coordinators working producers who suffered damage as a across fire affected regions. To date result of the fires and who earn over over 5000 volunteers have worked the 19 TEN.046.001.0023
Wineries and businesses in the Yarra Valley (pre-fires)
Case study
The town of Healesville has been Available free for visitors to the The guide is a positive step towards proactive in encouraging tourism Yarra Valley, the guide promotes strong and sustainable recovery after back to the area in the wake of the diverse range of businesses in the bushfires. It is an excellent example the bushfires. Healesville at a time when tourist of efforts to encourage visitors back to expenditure is sorely needed in bushfire affected regions. The Healesville Chamber of the area. Commerce and Industry is producing a ‘Shoppers Guide for A total of 10,000 guides are to be Healesville’, with funding support printed locally by Breen Printing from Healesville’s White Rabbit and distributed to shops, Brewery and its sister site, Little accommodation and tourist Creatures Dining Hall in Fitzroy. information centres.
20 TEN.046.001.0024
Environment
The bushfires had a major impact on Victoria’s forests and national parks, native animals and plants, and waterways and catchments. Rehabilitating and regenerating our natural environment is critical to helping communities recover.
Young deer, Kinglake region (Photo provided courtesy of Keith Pakenham, CFA Corporate Affairs) 21 TEN.046.001.0025
Forests, Parks and Reserves VËËÁjÄÝ~Ë ÖÍ?ËÄË?aˬjË The Victorian Government has made Ash seeds by helicopter to replace $350,000 available for grants to the Almost 280,000 hectares of public land populations lost near Marysville, 363 registered animal foster carers were affected including 70 national Kinglake and Alexandra and 340 licensed wildlife shelters. parks and reserves. The total fire The payments and grants, ranging from affected area within parks and reserves VËË?Ëja?ÍjËWÁj?ÄjËËwÞË?aËW?ÍË $300 to $2000, are for veterinarians, was approximately 100,000 hectares. control programs, with a particular wildlife shelters, registered foster carers focus on protecting the New Holland and licensed wildlife rehabilitators to The 180,000 hectares of state forest Mouse at Wilsons Promontory that was affected included significant replace shelters and buy equipment National Park, the Brush-tailed and supplies. commercial and recreational forest areas. Phascogale in Kinglake National Park These parks and forests provide important and the Southern Brown Bandicoot in The Healesville Sanctuary’s Australian catchment services, and catchment yield Bunyip State Park Wildlife Health Centre received a and quality will be affected for some time. $60,000 grant to support wildlife welfare The fires are estimated to have affected VËËÁjW?Í~ËÍÁj?ÍjjaËwÄˬ¬Ö?ÍÄË and rehabilitation efforts directly related more than 200 historic places on public to safe refuges to the devastating fires. and private land. Work is underway to VËËjÁjWÍËwˬÁÍjWÍËwjW~ËÍË assess the damage. protect the endangered Shiny Waterways and Catchments More than 200 places of recorded Nematolepis plant in the Yarra Ranges Indigenous heritage have been affected. National Park from grazing. More than 820 kilometres of streams, New sites are still being identified. rivers and creeks in two Melbourne Further flora and fauna survey work is Water regions were affected by bushfire The Parks Victoria office at Kinglake was ongoing to ensure accurate knowledge to some degree. The most severe destroyed. A temporary office has been of what has been affected. impacts were seen in the Yarra Ranges, set up at the Wallaby Creek, Melbourne Baw Baw, Nillumbik, Mitchell, Cardinia Water depot in Kinglake West. The DSE Rehabilitation and Whittlesea areas. office at Marysville was extensively damaged, with the fire fighting Fire suppression activities, including Melbourne Water is closely monitoring equipment and works depot destroyed. the construction of control lines on the impacts of bushfire on waterways A temporary office has been set up in Crown land, resulted in the need for and taking action to hasten the recovery Alexandra for the Marysville staff. Repairs rehabilitation works following the fires. process, including increased monitoring to the Marysville office are underway. This is now 65 per cent complete. of water quality, weed suppression along riverbanks and encouraging The Commonwealth Government is The initial focus of DSE and Parks natural regeneration of native species. providing funding as part of its ‘Caring Victoria has been on private land for our Country’ program, through rehabilitation and where public land Sites in fire affected areas are being grants to catchment authorities, adjoins private properties. Around 1800 surveyed for platypuses and fish to community groups and individual kilometres of fire control lines on private determine the impact and threat to landholders for environmental and land are due for completion by 30 June. known populations. landscape repair work. Three burned-area emergency response About one-third of Melbourne’s water teams from the United States have supply catchments experienced some Native Biodiversity completed an initial rapid impact level of bushfire damage, but there assessment, including an Emergency was no impact on drinking water Bushfire affected areas covered Stabilisation and Rehabilitation Plan quality. The two biggest water supply the habitats of over 40 species of for each of the major fires. The plans catchments, the Upper Yarra and endangered animals in Victoria. include emergency rehabilitation actions Thomson dams, were successfully Significant threats to native flora and that will feed into the long-term recovery protected. Damage to water supply fauna following the fires include ash planning and actions. infrastructure was limited to minor pollution and sedimentation in streams, components and a prioritised works DSE and VicForests are also working increased exposure to predators in program is now in place. Repairing the to ensure salvage timber from fire damaged habitats, water loss in Wallaby Creek weir and aqueduct has affected state forest areas is harvested sub-alpine areas, weed invasion and a high priority. as soon as possible and to ensure the loss of shelter and food sources. timber industry, which supports many Melbourne Water is working closely with Affected species include the of the fire affected towns, gets back to the Catchment Management Authorities Leadbeater’s Possum, Brush-tailed business as soon as possible. DSE will who have been undertaking emergency Phascogale, Greater and Yellow-bellied work with local councils to make timber sediment control works, both within Gliders, the Helmeted Honeyeater, available to residents for firewood and the bushfire affected catchment areas Barred Galaxias fish and the Shiny fence posts. and more widely, to ensure protection Nematolepis. Mountain Ash and of waterways and reduce the impact of run-off erosion. Alpine Ash forest stands were severely Support for Wildlife Carers impacted. Old-growth ash forests such as Wallaby Creek were severely burnt. The tireless efforts of wildlife carers, who provided emergency assistance Urgent ecological recovery work to animals affected by the fires, was targeted at protecting threatened greatly valued. species at risk includes: 22 TEN.046.001.0026
Parks that were closed during the February fires but are now open include:
Eastern Victoria Wilsons Promontory, Alpine National Park, Mount Buffalo National Park, Beechworth Historic Park, Holey Plains State Park, Tarra Bulga National Park, Moodarra State Park, Tyers Park and Mount Worth State Park.
Central Victoria Kurth Kiln Regional Park, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Arthurs Seat State Park, Mornington Peninsula National Park, Yan Yean Reservoir Park, Plenty Gorge Park, Warrandyte State Park, Upper Yarra Reservoir Park, Silvan Reservoir Park and Dandenong Ranges Gardens.
Western Victoria Tower Hill State Game Reserve.
Affected parks and reserves
Affected parks and reserves include: VËË:?ÁÁ?Ë-?~jÄË!?Í?Ë+?Á VËË ~?jË!?Í?Ë+?ÁË VËË ?ÍjaÁ?Ë-?~jË.Í?ÍjË+?Á 29,412 hectares 22,110 hectares 3203 hectares (38 per cent of park) (96 per cent of park) (92 per cent of park) VËË8ÄÄË+ÁÍÁßË!?Í?Ë+?Á VËË Ö߬Ë.Í?ÍjË+?ÁË VËË ÖÍË.Í?jßË.Í?ÍjË-jÄjÁÜj 24,839 hectares 7651 hectares 2617 hectares ®yÔˬjÁËWjÍËwˬ?Á¯ (46 per cent of park) (95 per cent of park).
Within the parks, the fires destroyed or damaged: VËyåËÜÄÍÁËÄÍjÄ ËVËËÏ|åËjÍÁjÄËwËÝ?~ VËËÉyåË?ÄÄjÍÄËWÖa~ËMÁa~jÄ^ VËyÔåËjÍÁjÄËwËÁ?aÄË tracks car parks, toilet blocks, camp grounds and visitor buildings.
Case study
Leadbeater’s Possums at Lake and additional nestboxes installed in stations over winter. Supplementary Mountain in the Yarra Ranges National places with remnant green vegetation, feeding like this is only used under Park suffered in the bushfires. Only or where Leadbeater’s Possum strict scientific supervision where it six possums out of an estimated pre- survival was possible. Creamed will support a critically endangered bushfire population of 300 have been honey was smeared around the small population. In this case the proposed sighted since the fires. entry holes on the nestboxes to attract menu of mealworms, fly pupae and any other homeless survivors, and a Leadbeater’s Possum nectar mix is Of the 30 possum boxes at Lake a total of 37 new possum nesting being made by Healesville Sanctuary. Mountain, 28 of which were being boxes were erected across the Lake used, 22 were destroyed and six Friends of the Leadbeater’s Possum Mountain plateau. were badly damaged. and the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort are The survivors are now the key to re- providing volunteers to Parks Victoria to As part of Parks Victoria’s immediate colonising the plateau and a recovery assist with the feeding program. fire recovery efforts for the species, all program has been organised with damaged nestboxes were replaced a trial of supplementary feeding
23 TEN.046.001.0027
Burnt forest, Kinglake Ranges, March 2009 24 TEN.046.001.0028
Grants and assistance
The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have provided a range of emergency relief and recovery measures following the bushfires. A key component of this has been the provision of financial and non-financial assistance to individuals, families and communities.
Numerous grants have been, and 1. Immediate VËË0jË Ýj?ÍËÜjÁjÍËÄË will continue to be, issued by the – emergency relief and support providing $5000 for Funeral/Memorial Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund which Assistance to one immediate family 2. Short-term was established on 8 February by the member of individuals who died in the – sustaining temporary arrangements Victorian Government in partnership fires. To date 109 people have been with the Commonwealth Government 3. Medium-term assisted, totalling $765,000 and Australian Red Cross. The Victorian – rebuilding homes, lives and and Commonwealth Governments each communities VËË0jË7WÍÁ?ËÜjÁjÍËÝˬ?ßË the funeral costs of bushfire affected contributed $2 million to this fund. 4. Long-term families, with the payment of funeral A separate report being released by – assisting with the enduring impact expenses up to $10,000, administered the Appeal Fund details allocations of the fires. by the Transport Accident Commission and disbursements from the Fund, Examples of the grants issued to so generously donated. As of 13 May, VËË0jË Ýj?ÍËÜjÁjÍË date include: is offering an Income Recovery over $346 million has been received Subsidy to provide temporary income and over $240 million has been support to employees, small business allocated and made available to Immediate operators and farmers who have bushfire survivors. – emergency relief and support lost income as a direct result of the In addition, the Victorian and VËË0jËÖÄÍÁ??ËÜjÁjÍË Ä?ÄÍjÁË bushfires. To date 3400 people had Commonwealth Governments have Recovery Payment provides been assisted, totalling $6.6 million. jointly funded a $10 million Community immediate financial assistance in the form of a one-off payment of $1000 Recovery Fund. This fund will assist Short-Term with longer-term recovery through per adult and $400 per child. To date community development and capacity the Commonwealth Government had – sustaining temporary building. $3 million from the fund paid more than 50,000 claims totalling arrangements $58.7 million has been set aside for grants, of up VËË-jjÄÍ?MÄjÍËÁ?ÍÄËwÁË to $100,000 each, for sports clubs in VËË0jË jÁ~jWßË+jÁÄ?Ë?ÁaÄ¬Ë the Victorian and Commonwealth bushfire affected areas for rebuilding Payment, jointly funded by the Governments provide up to $8650 to and reparation works. $2.5 million Victorian and Commonwealth assist with the replacement or repair from the fund has been set aside for Governments, consists of up to $1067 of essential household contents memorials. $1.75 million has been per household to assist households to allocated for Community Development VËË0jËg¤±yËË Ýj?ÍË meet their immediate needs Officers, with another $1.75 million for Government package of support community grants and $1 million for VËË0j¬Á?ÁßË Ü~Ë Þ¬jÄjÄËÁ?ÍÄË for aged care providers and clients community projects. of up to $8650 from the Victorian and consists of payments of up to $10,000 Commonwealth Governments have to assist frail, older people and their Financial assistance through grants been provided to assist with the cost carers replace uninsured independent and payments is available to individuals, of temporary accommodation and living aids lost in the fires families, communities, local councils living expenses and businesses, and is provided to VËËËgÏåËËÍ?ËjË ÄW?ÍË help address all the dimensions of VËËgÔ±ÏËË?ÄËMjjË?ajË?Ü??MjË Payment through the Appeal Fund has recovery. Grants are provided to in Compassion and Bereavement seen families who lost their principal assist people through the four key Payments from the Appeal Fund, place of residence or were unable to recovery phases: with immediate support of $10,000 to return home for a week or more eligible 25 those families who lost loved ones to receive an average of $10,000 TEN.046.001.0029
Immediate support In the immediate aftermath of the fires, VËË+ÁÜa~ËwÁjjˬÖMWËÍÁ?ĬÁÍËwÁ VËË8?Ü~Ë MË.jjjÁËÁj¶ÖÁjjÍÄËwÁË the Victorian and Commonwealth people who lost their homes until Newstart for those job seekers who Governments put in place extensive 1 October 2009 volunteered to help with the bushfire measures to support fire affected VËËÄÄÄÍ~ËÍÄjËÝËÄÍËMÁÍË?aË clean-up and recovery efforts or who communities, including: marriage certificates in the fires to live in locations where job opportunities VËË ÄÍ?MÄ~ËÍjË!ÖÁÄj ? obtain new certificates at no cost were affected 1800 number to provide a telephone VËË0jË Ýj?ÍËÜjÁjÍË VËË7W-?aÄˬÁWjÄÄ~ËÁj¶ÖjÄÍÄËÍË counselling support service for providing $6 million to emergency cancel registrations and issuing all Victorians affected by the relief organisations to assist service on-the-spot cash refunds, extending devastating bushfires providers meet the increased demands vehicle registration renewals by 28 VËË+ÁÜa~Ë jÍ?Ëj?ÍËÍj?ÄËÍË?ÄÄÄÍË for emergency relief days and replacing learner log books and registration plates people deal with the psychological and VËË-jÄÄÖ~ËjßˬÁwËwËajÍÍßË emotional impact of the fires, including documents, updating contact details VËËÜ~Ë7WÍÁ?ËWaÁjË?wwjWÍjaËMßËÍjË boosting funding for Commonwealth and replacing passports at no cost fires access to at least 10 hours of free funded providers of such services kindergarten per week, by extending VËË.Í?ÍjË-jÜjÖjË#wwWjËÝ?Ü~ËÍjËwÁÄÍË the current kindergarten fee subsidy of VËË+ÁÜa~ËwÁjjËj~?Ë?aË?ÄÄÄÍ?WjË $1050 of stamp duty on a vehicle and $751 to children affected by the fires. via 1800 helpline and making lawyers $21,970 on new homes available at operational Relief Centres
VËË0jË7WÍÁ?ËÜjÁjÍË?ÄË VËË-j~?ËÁÍÄË7WÍÁ?ËÝËÜjÁÄjjË?Ë allocated $500,000 for Community $50,000 Arts Recovery Quick Response Building Initiative projects and other Grants program and will provide funds locally based organisations in fire of up to $2500 for local artists to affected areas are eligible for grants work in their communities on arts of up to $30,000 to employ bushfire recovery projects community recovery officers VËË0jË7WÍÁ?ËÜjÁjÍËÄ VËË0jË Ýj?ÍËÜjÁjÍË offering $420,000 of funding to provided $6 million to emergency help organisations coordinating relief organisations to assist service the thousands of volunteers who providers meet the increased offered support to bushfire demands for emergency relief and affected communities to link clients with other community support services. VËË0jË7WÍÁ?ËÜjÁjÍË?aË the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank established a $4 million Bushfire Medium-Term Recovery Community Infrastructure – rebuilding homes, lives Program to help rebuild community and communities infrastructure and provide jobs in bushfire affected communities. VËË0jËwÖÁÍ˶Ö?ÁÍjÁË Ýj?ÍË Infrastructure Grants Payment has been brought forward from May 2009 Long-Term to February 2009 for all Victorian – assisting with the enduring local councils, in recognition of the impact of the fires difficulties they face. The total amount for Victoria is $111 million VËË0jËg|ËË7WÍÁ?ËÜjÁjÍË Bushfire Recovery Community VËË ÁjËÍ?Ëg¤ÏåËËËa?ÍÄ Infrastructure Program will provide to the Appeal Fund will be distributed grants of up to $300,000 to regional, to those whose houses were rural and interface councils for vital destroyed or partially destroyed in community infrastructure projects the bushfires VËË.jÜjÁjßËÖÁjaËÜWÍÄËwËÍjË VËË0jˬ¬j?ËÖaËÄˬÁÜa~Ë? bushfires will receive up to $100,000 grant ‘Rural Properties Recovery from the Appeal Fund to assist with Assistance Payment’ of $5000 their transition from hospital to home. to owners of small private farms impacted by the fires to assist in repair and restoration projects on properties, including fencing, sheds, water tanks, troughs, or hiring contractors to assist with on-farm repairs
26 TEN.046.001.0030
Next steps and goals for the bushfire reconstruction and recovery
VËËË ÖÍßË.jÁÜWjËÖMÄË?ÁjˬjÁ?Í~Ë?Ä˽jÄͬËĬľË?aË?ÁjˬÁÜa~ËÍjËÄjÁÜWjÄËÁj¶ÖÁja by local communities
VËËËÄj?jÄÄËW?ÄjË??~jjÍËÄßÄÍjËÄËÄÖ¬¬ÁÍ~ËÍjËaÜaÖ?ÄË?aËw?jÄËÍ?ÍËÁj¶ÖÁjË? case manager
VËË+ja~jaË~aÄË?aËÄjÁÜWjÄËjjÍËÍjËjjaÄËwËaÜaÖ?ÄË?aËWÖÍjÄ
VË ?ÍÄË?ÁjËaÄÍÁMÖÍjaËË?Ëw?ÁË?aËj¶ÖÍ?MjËÝ?ß
VËË ÖÍßË-jWÜjÁßË ÍÍjjÄËajÜj¬ËWÖÍßËÁjWÜjÁßˬ?ÄËÍ?ÍËÁjwjWÍËÍjËjjaÄËw local communities
VËË ÖÍßËÁjWÜjÁßˬ?ÄËwjjaËÍËÍjË ÖÄwÁjË-jWÜjÁßË?aË-jWÄÍÁÖWÍË ?ÄÍjÁË+?^ËÝWËÄ to be completed by late 2009
VË0jËÁjMÖa~ËwËjßËWÖÍßËwÁ?ÄÍÁÖWÍÖÁjËMj~Ä^ËWÖa~ËÄWÄË?aËÍjË ?ÁßÄÜjˬWjËÄÍ?Í
VËË0jËWj?Ö¬ËwËajMÁÄË?aË?ã?ÁaÖÄË?ÍjÁ?ËwÁËMÖÄwÁjË?wwjWÍjaˬÁ¬jÁÍjÄËÄËW¬jÍjaËMßËÍjËja of September
VË0j¬Á?ÁßËÜ?~jÄË?ÍËÝjÁa?j^Ë ?ÁßÄÜjË?aË ~?jË?ÁjËW¬jÍjaË?aË?Á~jßËWWÖ¬jaËMßËÏåË Öj
VËË ÖÄwÁjË?wwjWÍjaËaÜaÖ?ÄË?aËw?jÄË?ÜjË?WWjÄÄËÍËÄÖÍ?MjË?aËÄ?wjËÖÄ~ËÄÖÍÄËÍ?ÍËjjÍË their particular needs
VËˬ¬Á?WjÄËÍËjWÖÁ?~jËÍÖÁÄË?aË?ÄÄÄÍËÝÍËMÖÄjÄÄËÁj~jjÁ?ÍË?ÁjˬjjÍjaËËMÖÄwÁjË affected regions
VËËaÜWjËˬ?ÄÍÖÁjËÁjjÄÍ?MÄjÍË?aË??~jjÍ^ËÝjjaË?aˬjÄÍË??Ë??~jjÍ^ËÝjËw?ÁË and feed planning, water quality supplies for farm dams, soil conservation and erosion control, and animal health issues is provided
VËËË-j?MÍ?ÍËwËwÁjËWÍÁËjÄ^Ë?aËÍjËÁjÄÖÍ~ËwjWjËÁj¬?ÁË?aËÁj¬?WjjÍËˬÁÜ?ÍjË?a^ is completed by mid 2009
VËËW¬ÁjjÄÜjË?ÄÄjÄÄjÍËÄËÖajÁÍ?jËwËÍjËjwwjWÍÄËË?ÍÜjËÝawjË?aˬ?Íˬ¬Ö?ÍÄË
VËËÁ?ÍÄË?ÁjË?aÄÍjÁjaËË?ËÝ?ßËÍ?ÍËÄËj¶ÖÍ?Mj^ËWÜjjÍË?aËÁjaÖWjÄËÖjWjÄÄ?ÁßËMÖÁajË those in need.
Abbreviations and acronyms
ADF Australian Defence Force DPI Department of Primary Industries (Victoria) (Commonwealth) DSE Department of Sustainability and AFP Australian Federal Police (Commonwealth) Environment (Victoria) Appeal Fund Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund MFB Metropolitan Fire Brigade (Victoria) CFA Country Fire Authority (Victoria) MAV Municipal Association of Victoria DEECD Department of Education and Early SES State Emergency Service (Victoria) Childhood Development (Victoria) The Authority Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction DHS Department of Human Services (Victoria) and Recovery Authority DIIRD Department of Innovation, Industry and VECCI Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Regional Development (Victoria) Commerce and Industry DPCD Department of Planning and Community VFF Victorian Farmers Federation Development (Victoria)
27 TEN.046.001.0031
Important contacts for people affected by the bushfires
Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Centrelink (Commonwealth) Municipal Association of Victoria Recovery Authority http://www.centrelink.gov.au http://www.mav.asn.au http://www.wewillrebuild.vic.gov.au Ph: 180 2211 Ph: (03) 9667 5555 Ph: 1800 240 667 Agencies Plumbing Industry Commission Victorian Bushfire Appeal Funds http://www.pic.vic.gov.au www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal Country Fire Authority Ph: 1800 015 129 Ph: 1800 180 213 http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au Ph: 1800 240 667 Victorian Law Foundation 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission http://www.victorialaw.org.au http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au Metlink Ph: (03) 9604 8100 Ph: 1800 243 650 http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au Ph: 13 16 38 Personal Assistance Government Departments Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Australian Red Cross Prime Minister of Australia Services Board http://www.redcross.org.au http://www.pm.gov.au/ http://www.mfb.vic.gov.au Ph: (03) 8327 7700 Ph: (02) 6277 7700 Ph: (03) 9662 2311 Kids Helpline Premier of Victoria Office of the Emergency Services http://www.kidshelp.com.au http://www.premier.vic.gov.au Commissioner Ph: 1800 551 800 Ph: (03) 9651 5000 http://www.oesc.vic.gov.au Ph: (03) 8684 7900 Lifeline Department of Education and Early http://www.lifeline.org.au/ Childhood Development (Victoria) State Coroner’s Office Ph: 13 11 14 http://www.education.vic.gov.au http://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au Nurse-on-Call Bushfire Health and Ph: (03) 9637 2000 Ph: 1300 309 519 Counselling Line Department of Families, Housing, State Revenue Office http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall Community Services and Indigenous http://www.sro.vic.gov.au Ph: 1300 60 60 24 Affairs (Commonwealth) Ph: 13 21 61 Parentline http://www.fahcsia gov.au Tourism Victoria http://www.parentline.com.au http://www.disasterassist.gov.au http://www.tourism.vic.gov.au Ph: 13 22 89 Ph: 1300 653 227 Ph: (03) 9653 9777 Salvation Army Department of Human Services (Victoria) Victoria Police http://www.salvos.org.au/ http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au http://www.police.vic.gov.au Ph: 13 72 58 Ph: 1300 650 172 or (03) 9096 0000 Ph: (03) 9247 6666
Department of Planning and Community VicRoads Development (Victoria) http://traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/ Ph: 13 11 71 Ph: (03) 9208 3333 Useful Contacts Department of Primary Industries (Victoria) http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au Building Commission Ph: 136 186 http://www.buildingcommission.com.au Ph: 1300 557 559 or (03) 9285 6400 Department of Sustainability and Environment (Victoria) Insurance Council of Australia http://www.dse.vic.gov.au http://www.insurancecouncil.com.au Ph: 136 186 Ph: 1300 728 228
Communication channels
The Authority established a number of communication channels to keep fire affected communities up-to-date with the relief, recovery and rebuilding process, including:
VËˤoååËÍjj¬jËÖMjÁËÍÁÖ~ËÍjË7WÍÁ?Ë ÖÄwÁjËwÁ?ÍË jËrËÝÍËÜjÁËÔoååËW?Ä received to date
V˽ÝjÝÁjMÖa¾ËÝjMÄÍjËrËÝÍËÜjÁËÔy^åååËÜÄÍÄËÍËa?Íj VËËÁjjË. .Ë?jÁÍËÄjÁÜWjËrËÍËjj¬Ë¬j¬jËwÁjaËÝÍËWÖÍßËÖ¬a?ÍjÄË?aËÁjMÖa~Ë announcements. A standard SMS charge applied to the initial SMS registration
VËË-j~Ö?ÁË-jWÜjÁßË2¬a?ÍjËjÝÄjÍÍjÁÄËrËÝÍË?ËWÁWÖ?ÍËwËÜjÁËÔå^åååË®ÍjÄjËjÝÄjÍÍjÁÄË?Áj in addition to those circulated by fire affected local councils).
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