VICTORIA'S bushfire-affected communities have made significant progress on their road to recovery since the 2009 bushfires, Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan said.
Releasing the Victorian Bushfire Recovery Three Year Report at the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall with Member for Seymour Cindy McLeish yesterday, Mr Ryan said much had been achieved across the 33 impacted communities in the past 12 months and ongoing assistance would continue to help families and individuals rebuild their lives.
"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," Mr Ryan said.
My Ryan said at least 77 per cent of the 1,500 households who lost their principal place of residence in the 2009 bushfires had rebuilt, purchased a new home or were in the process of rebuilding.
"The Victorian Coalition Government continues to work with those remaining families and individuals to help them make decisions around rebuilding through the Rebuilding Advisory Service," Mr Ryan said.
"Another housing survey will be conducted in the early part of this year to determine the rebuilding status of each household in our bushfire-affected communities."
Mr Ryan said 2011 saw a number of important reconstruction milestones including the completion of the Marysville Community Centre, the new Middle Kinglake Primary School and Children's Centre, as well as several other community halls.
"The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF), which has raised a total of $400 million including interest thanks to generous donations, has continued to help recovery efforts with the extension of valuable services and programs including the Further Housing Assistance Gift," Mr Ryan said.
"During 2011 the Coalition Government-Fire Recovery Unit replaced the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBRRA) to assist with ongoing recovery of bushfire affected communities.
"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.
"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."
Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government had made a firm commitment to continue to support the changing needs of communities and people affected by the 2009 bushfires.
"Those impacted upon can continue to contact the Bushfire Community Support Helpline on
1800 050 400 for further information, referral and advice for a range of issues including accommodation, personal assistance, counselling, legal and health support," Mr Ryan said.
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