MP calls out colleagues on bushfire help

Photo: Bec Skilton.

By Jessica Anstice

The State Government has been called on to do more as the clean-up continues following fires in and around the Bunyip-Tonimbuk area earlier this year.

In his address to State Parliament, Narracan MP Gary Blackwood said the community had noted the lack of support in comparison to the 2009 Black Saturday Fires that severely impacted much of the area.

“The Bunyip complex of fires are well and truly extinguished, but the recovery process is still underway and will be for some time, as was our experience after the Black Saturday fires of 2009,” he said.

“Following the 2009 fires there was financial assistance provided to all businesses impacted either directly or indirectly by the fires. All those who lost their home, insured or not, received a one-off payment of around $40,000 to help with the clean-up and rebuild.

“None of this has been made available to those who lost homes, businesses, outbuildings, fencing, pasture or water infrastructure during the Bunyip fires earlier this year.”

Mr Blackwood said the response from the State Government to the Bunyip fires has been “very disappointing”, and stated the community recovery committee has been a driving force following the fires and that a recent community survey conducted had revealed the extent of the shortfall in State Government support.

The survey conducted by the community recovery committee found that the issues residents needed assistance with included roadside clearing of fire-created debris and revegetation; fencing on private land, especially on land sharing a boundary with a government agency; rate relief; and also pasture re-establishment.

“The community becomes the engine room of recovery after disasters, and the four distinct communities of Tonimbuk, Garfield North, Bunyip North and Tynong North have assisted each other brilliantly, but the Andrews government needs to step up and partner with these communities,” Mr Blackwood added.

“Assets like halls, community centres and meeting places must be built or rejuvenated. Tony Fitzgerald and his recovery committee are doing a great job, but they genuinely need more government assistance.”

Mr Blackwood called on the Premier and Ministers to visit the area and meet with locals to better understand the issue and their hardship given they had not done so following the fires.