Shire’s fire fund share

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges will share in a $9 million funding package as it attempts to recover from the fires that devastated the region in February.
The cash announced last Thursday (2 April) is a joint initiative between the State Government and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Premier John Brumby said an advisory panel had made the decision to provide assistance to local councils who had played a significant role in guiding the recovery of local communities.
“This $9 million package recognises that local governments are often best placed to identify what disaster-related services are needed in their local community and to continue to deliver these services over the long term,” he said.
Shire spokesman James Martin said the cash would go a long way towards helping the shire and its communities recover.
Mr Martin said although a final figure had not yet been calculated, the damage bill was in excess of $6 million.
“That includes the community and economic recovery, rebuilding and the costs incurred by the council through its response and recovery work,” he said.
“The shire expended enormous resources responding to the fires and we are still committing significant resources as we assist the community in the recovery phase.”
Mayor Len Cox said the council had identified the need for significant resources to meet its recovery efforts. He said some of these costs included provisions for a recovery centre and the re-establishment of sporting grounds damaged in the bushfire response.
Cr Cox said there was also the need for marketing campaigns to support local business and community projects aimed at rebuilding communities and assisting with emotional support.
“Extra resources are also required to enable fast-tracking of planning, building and public health processes for residents wanting to rebuild,” he said.
The Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBBRA) headed by former police commissioner Christine Nixon will oversee the payments in consultation with Local Government Victoria. Funding priority will be given to those shires and councils most severely affected by the bushfires.
Bushfire fund chairman John Landy said the cash would be used for community-based initiatives such as providing additional grief and trauma counselling and advice services for staff, volunteers and the community.
“The funding could also be used to assist with the re-establishment and running of disaster emergency services, responding to increased demand on rubbish removal, tree clearing from roads and public areas, and re-vegetation,” he said.
“Everyone who has donated to the appeal can be assured their donations are going to people who need it most when they need it most.”