Executive summary The interim report of the Ministerial Taskforce on Bushfire Recovery was released on 28 February 2003. The report included a $13.9 million package to provide immediate recovery support to fire affected communities. Together with $115 million in fire suppression costs, $3 million in financing support for concessional loans through the Rural Finance Corporation and initiatives totalling $69.4 million announced in this report, $201 million has been committed in fire suppression and recovery costs. Initiatives announced in this report include: Recovery of catchment and water protection $23.9 million Restoring assets in parks, forests and alpine resorts $24.9 million Restoring ecological and cultural heritage $13.2 million Rebuilding of roads, bridges and signs $5.0 million Additional support to farming communities $2.0 million Community recognition $0.4 million This report focuses on social, business and environmental recovery. Established regional and local recovery arrangements will ensure recovery properly meets the needs of the fire affected communities and promotes long-term community sustainability and preparedness. Government departments and agencies will work with local and regional recovery committees to ensure recovery initiatives announced in this report and the interim report are properly implemented.
Executive summary The Premier, Steve Bracks, MP, announced the formation of the Ministerial Taskforce on Bushfire Recovery on 31 January 2003. The Ministers appointed to the Taskforce were: The Hon John Brumby, MP, Treasurer and Minister for State and Regional Development (Chair) The Hon John Thwaites MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for Water, Environment and Victorian Communities The Hon Bob Cameron MP, Minister for Agriculture The Hon Sherryl Garbutt MP, Minister for Community Services The Hon Candy Broad MLC, Minister for Local Government The Hon John Pandazopoulos MP, Minister for Tourism The Hon Andre Haermeyer MP, Minister for Police and Emergency Services The final report of the Taskforce will be presented at the end of March 2003. Action to date The Government has already responded with a multi-million dollar package to support recovery including: $1 million for the establishment of a Bushfire Recovery Trust Fund with an 1800 hotline for community and business donations. This has been matched by a $1 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government. $733,000 for a Social Recovery Strategy that includes funds for community development workers and counsellors to Indigo, Alpine, Towong and East Gippsland Shires. $500,000 for the provision of emergency fodder to farmers through the Victorian Farmers Federation. $200,000 for grants of up to $50,000 each to the Towong, East Gippsland, Indigo and Alpine Shires to support municipal emergency co-ordination centres, community meetings and volunteers and to celebrate the community spirit and resilience during recovery from the bushfires. $175,000 has been provided to over 400 families as Hardship Relief Grants. $200,000 for the employment of 20 short-term employees over three months to deliver immediate emergency fire recovery works in parks and reserves. $100,000 has been redirected to commence repair of key tourism and access roads and tracks impacted by fire in the Alps. Rural Finance Corporation Concession Loans to primary producers and small businesses. $100,000 available to fund an additional 5 ‘doggers’ to be employed on a short term basis in Gippsland to work with the local community to coordinate baiting and trapping of wild dogs for stock protection purposes. $70,000 advertising campaign commenced on 16 February 2003 with a series of full and half page announcements from the Premier in Melbourne newspapers outlining the facts
Communities affected The following communities and towns within the Shires of Indigo, Alpine, Towong and East Gippsland together with the alpine resorts of Mt Hotham and Falls Creek were directly threatened by the fires. However the impact has been far reaching, affecting communities across all Shires. East Gippsland Shire Council Anglers Rest Benambra Bindi Wellington Shire Council Crooked River Dargo Wangaratta Rural Indigo Shire Council Indigo Valley Stanley Bonang City Council Eldorado Woolshed Falls Alpine Shire Council Towong Shire Council Buchan South Butchers Ridge Cann River Cassilis Cobungra Deddick Delegate River Dallicknora Ensay Gelantipy Glen Valley Glen Wills Murrindal Omeo Seldom Seen Suggan Buggan Swifts Creek Tongio Tubbut W. Tree Bogong Bright Buckland Buffalo River Coral Bank Dederang Dinner Plain Eurobin Freeburgh Germantown Harrietville Lake Buffalo Mount Beauty Mount Buffalo Myrtleford Nug Nug Ovens Porepunkah Rosewhite Smoko Tawonga Tawonga South Biggara Valley Corryong Cravensville Cudgewa Valley Dartmouth Granite Flat Little Snowy Creek Lucyvale Mitta Mitta Nariel Valley Thowgla Wandiligong
Volunteers can provide services ranging from fence construction to tree planting, painting to debris removal. The list of services required will grow as government departments work with local communities to determine the assistance required. The Victorian Government is currently developing a strategy to recognise and acknowledge the enormous contributions made by communities, fire and recovery agencies during the bushfire. The Government is working closely with relevant agencies to identify the most appropriate way in which the State can thank, not only those volunteers on the front line, but the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to protect the rest of Victoria during this period.