Bushfire-affected households get continuing support
Tue 3 May 2011
Premier Ted Baillieu today announced additional funding of $740,000 to ensure households affected by the 2009 Victorian bushfires continued to receive support from the Mobile Rebuilding Advisory Service until the end of 2011.
The Mobile Rebuilding Advisory Service, part of the Victorian Government’s Bushfire Response Planning Unit, was established in February 2009 to offer information, advice and help on all aspects of rebuilding.
The advisory service visits affected communities to provide face-to-face assistance to anyone rebuilding their home or business and has helped more than 700 families with their rebuilding plans.
“With current demand averaging around 60 families a month, and many families still weighing up whether to rebuild, it is important the Coalition Government extends this service,” Mr Baillieu said
Rebuilding advisers, who are available five days a week and by appointment on Saturday mornings, provide free advice about the planning and building process, obtaining permits, design and contract issues and accessing local contractors.
They can also help bushfire-affected families access a range of additional services such as mediation, counselling and planning through close links between the advisers and other agencies.
The unit, established in response to findings of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, helps people in bushfire-affected communities rebuild and assists landowners across Victoria.
