Recovery review call

By Tania Martin
AN EMERALD doctor is calling for cash to help set up a study to assess bush fire disaster recovery plans across the state.
Dr George Somers and a steering committee of concerned locals from Emerald’s St Mark’s Church recently spoke about the need for recovery plans.
The group, with the help of Monash University, is set to undertake studies in the 52 towns recently highlighted by the government as danger zones for the upcoming season.
The Dandenong Ranges, including towns such as Olinda, Sassafras, Emerald and Cockatoo, were all named as bushfire danger spots.
Dr Somers believes the recovery phase was a vital part that had been ignored by the royal commission.
“We believe it has almost totally been directed towards assets rather than people,” he said.
“We are not criticising the Royal Commission for what it’s doing, but what’s missing is the other half of the story which we think is equally important.”
But state government spokesman Chris Owner said the Royal Commissions aimed to find out what went wrong on Black Saturday and not focus on the recovery process.
Dr Somers and his group of researchers are hoping to find out what the different communities need in the event of another disastrous season.
But he said the project would cost more than $200,000 and is calling for government assistance.
The group is hoping to put together an interim report on its findings by Christmas to give towns a chance to implant recovery plans before the dangerous February period begins.
Steering committee member Wayne Collins said one of the main issues was the fragmentation of community groups during disasters.
Mr Collins said many people in Whittlesea and Kinglake felt pushed aside while this big recovery wheel came in to do the job in the initial stages.
“We need to know how to hold local communities together and empower them at the same time as this great big thing comes in to do all the asset stuff,” he said
Mr Collins said many residents in Whittlesea and other areas felt they were on the edge and by day seven were wondering when the ‘circus’ would leave.
He said the research needed to look at how community networks and groups could work together with the government recovery teams.
But Mr Owner said the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction Recovery Authority (VBRRA) led by Christine Nixon was working to help communities rebuild.
He said recovery plans was a part of the process.
According to VBRRA, plans are beginning to take shape to reflect a vision for the future.
“As the rebuilding process gains momentum, we will continue to consult and work with people to ensure they can move forward and rebuild their lives and townships,” Ms Nixon said.
The state government has suggested the group talks to the recovery authority about the project.