Report outlines fire recovery

By Melissa Meehan
THE Black Saturday blazes destroyed 44 properties and a factory in Labertouche and burnt hectares of bushlands and grass lands.
It has been a long three years for many who were affected by the fires but with hardship has come strength – with communities coming together to rebuild and move on.
Marking the third anniversary, Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response, Peter Ryan launched the government’s Victorian Bushfire Recovery Three Year Report on Wednesday.
“Victoria’s bushfire-affected communities have made significant progress on their road to recovery since the 2009 bushfires,” Mr Ryan said.
“This report looks at progress made during the past 12 months around reconstruction efforts, economic recovery for business and tourism development, environmental and farmland recovery and the continuation of support programs for 2012.”
The report, while very general, outlines the way government funding has been spent in bush fire affected areas.
Award winning Brandy Creek Winery in Drouin East used a grant from the Victorian Bushfire Business Investment Fund to refurbish and extend its facilities following the fires.
Mr Ryan said much had been achieved across the 32 affected communities in the past 12 months and ongoing assistance would continue to help families and individuals rebuild their lives.
He said at least 77 per cent of the 1500 residents who lost their homes in the 2009 bushfires had rebuilt, purchased a new home or were in the process of rebuilding.
“While progress has been made, it is important to acknowledge that communities continue to recover at their own pace and emotional and financial recovery will still take some time,” he said.
“For this reason the Coalition Government introduced a number of new bushfire initiatives in 2011, many of which will continue into 2012.
“New programs include the $50 million voluntary Bushfire Buy-back Scheme which delivers on a key Bushfires Royal Commission recommendation, the $5.2 million Marysville and Triangle Economic Recovery Package, and the $2.7 million Bushfire Communities Support Program which was established to respond to the changing needs of affected communities.”