By Mitchell Clarke
Yet another funding boost to fire-affected communities in East Gippsland and North East Victoria has further fuelled fury among victims of the Bunyip bushfires.
As Premier Daniel Andrews and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville toured Buchan on Thursday 27 February to announce $2 million to rebuild the campground, develop a new masterplan and progress the first stage of works – questions are being asked as to where these visits were following the March fires.
Community Recovery Committee chair Tony Fitzgerald congratulated the State Government for providing the additional funding, but again pleaded for equality.
“Every victim of a disaster or community who loses everything or experienced extreme hardship should receive that support,” he said.
The funding, which is a share of $8.5 million from a Bushfire Tourism and Business Fund, will support a “range of projects” in fire-affected areas across East Gippsland and North East Victoria.
“These projects will drive visitors to East Gippsland and North East Victoria – we’re providing the practical, on-the-ground support bushfire-affected communities need to recover and rebuild,” Premier Andrews said.
“We’re standing with fire-affected communities every step of the way – from fighting the fires in summer to helping them rebuild their homes, their businesses and their lives well after the flames have passed.”
But it’s been a year since the flames left Bunyip – and residents are yet to feel the support of projects aimed at helping local communities bounce back.
“I do wonder though, as Premier Andrews and Minister Neville drove to Buchan along the Princes Highway to make the announcement of new funding, if they looked out the window and saw the turnoff signs to the townships of Tynong North, Garfield North, Bunyip North, Tonimbuk and Yinnar,” Mr Fitzgerald questioned.
“I wonder if they paused to think or reflect on the horrific fires that happened there last March and the physical and mental anguish people are still experiencing.
“Did they think to themselves – ‘I wonder if those good people might need our help as well and I wonder how they are surviving?’
“We all know the answer to those questions.”
The Emergency Services Minister responded to questions from the Gazette recently and said a state-led coordinated clean-up effort is taking place in the Bunyip community.
“I am regularly updated on the Bunyip recovery from our emergency service agencies and am working closely with them to resolve any concerns,” Ms Neville said.
“We will continue to work every day to ensure those impacted receive the support and assistance that they need during this time.”
