Fire Recovery Unit Update - Edition 7
January 2012, Edition 7
IN THIS EDITION
Third Anniversary of the 2009 bushfires
Health and wellbeing
Rebuilding support
- VBAF Housing Support Gift – Stage Two
- Bushfire Buy-back Scheme
- Rebuilding Advisory Service staff movements
- Fire Recovery Unit rehousing survey 2012
- Donation of material goods at bushfire temporary villages
Community support and meetings
- VBAF medium term allocation announcement
- Toorourrong memorial update
- Whittlesea Soup Group
- Diary Notes
Additional information
Third anniversary of the 2009 bushfires
Tuesday 7 February 2012 will mark the third anniversary of the 2009 Victorian bushfires. As the day approaches, many people will be remembering and reflecting on the events that took place. It will be a difficult time for bushfire-affected communities and those who lost loved ones in the disaster.
If you require assistance or would like to speak to somebody, the following telephone counselling services are available:
Bushfire Community Support Helpline 1800 050 400
Parentline 13 22 89
Mensline 1300 789 978
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
Relationships Australia 1300 364 277
Lifeline 131 114
Regional remembrance events
A number of councils and community groups in fire-affected areas are planning events where local communities can gather, remember and reflect.
The Fire Recovery Unit website has information on a number of local community events at www.rdv.vic.gov.au/fire-recovery-unit/fru-news-room/commemorative-events. This is not an exhaustive list so if we have missed an event or you would like to add an event to the website, please email fire.recovery@rdv.vic.gov.au.
For further information or to find out if there is a local event planned in your community, please contact your local council or community group.
Central remembrance event
In addition to the local events, the Victorian Government will host a central remembrance event in Melbourne on Sunday 5 February. The event will be held at the ANZ Pavilion, Victorian Arts Centre with formalities to commence at 3pm, followed by afternoon tea. All are welcome to attend this event, which will provide a central location for people to connect and remember together.
An invitation to the event is available here and RSVPs are encouraged by Wednesday 1 February 2012.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Berry Street Tune-In Youth Counselling Service
The Berry Street Tune-In Youth Counselling Service is a new two-year program designed to support bushfire-affected young people aged between 10 and 26 and their families. The Tune-In team of nine clinicians provides a flexible outreach service to meet the needs of young people. The service can include work with families as well as individual counselling. Referrals can be made by young people, family or others involved.This free and confidential service funded by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) is available to young people who live in the local council areas of Latrobe, Mitchell, Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges. Youth in other local government areas affected by the 2009 bushfires can also access Tune-In.
For further information and referrals, contact John McPherson at the Berry Street Scoresby Office on (03) 9765 0300, email info@berrystreet.org.au or check the website at www.berrystreet.org.au.
Community support activities for the bereaved
On 1 January 2012, management of community support activities for people bereaved by the bushfires transitioned to EACH, social and community health. Funded by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) until the end of June 2013, the service will include communication, community activities, remembrance events and forums, advocacy, capacity building and strategic planning. EACH will also support the Bereaved Community Advisory Group.
EACH is planning to host events throughout the year to seek the thoughts of the community on levels of assistance that would be of most benefit. They are also developing a website to help bereaved communities and individuals share their stories online as a way of both honouring their experience and potentially assisting others.
For further information, contact Jodie Bowker at EACH, social and community health on (03) 9871 1890 or jbowker@each.com.au. EACH welcomes any ideas that people may have that they believe would assist themselves or others.
REBUILDING SUPPORT
VBAF Housing Support Gift – Stage Two
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) has announced a second stage of housing support to help survivors of the 2009 bushfires find permanent accommodation.
Households may be eligible for up to $50,000 to finalise the rebuilding of their homes, purchase a new home, secure a long-term lease, move into an aged-care facility, or find other permanent accommodation.
Three housing associations will manage the new Gift, working with the Department of Human Services, the Rebuilding Advisory Service and other agencies and service providers to help applicants find the most suitable accommodation for their circumstances.
With the aid of the housing associations, approved households will complete a Housing Plan which will detail their pathway, step by step, to permanent accommodation.
Eligible applicants will have access to a range of support services – including financial or other counselling – to help them through the process.
More information and an application form can be found on the VBAF website at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal or by phoning the VBAF hotline on 1800 180 213.
Bushfire Buy-back Scheme
The report on the Bushfire Buy-back Scheme consultation process has been completed following 80 information and consultation sessions in 14 locations over 17 days. The results are now being considered by the Victorian Government.
Final details of the Scheme will be announced soon and applications will open on 1 March and close on 31 May 2012. The Scheme application form will be downloadable from the Department of Justice website www.justice.vic.gov.au/buyback. Landowners who have already expressed their interest will be sent an application.
For more information, phone the Bushfire Buy-back Project Manager on (03) 8685 1314 or email bushfirebuyback@justice.vic.gov.au.
Rebuilding Advisory Service staff movements
Since joining the Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) in April 2011, the Rebuilding Advisory Service (RAS) has been well received by bushfire-affected communities across the state.
It has provided information and assistance on all aspects of rebuilding to individuals affected by the 2009 bushfires as well as the more recent Victorian floods.
Today almost 80 per cent of households who lost their principal place of residence in the 2009 bushfires have rebuilt, purchased a new property or are in the process of rebuilding.
While the demand for the service has decreased, a revamped RAS will continue to provide services until 30 June 2012 that best meet the needs of those individuals still struggling to rebuild.
Ken Alexander will work in Marysville and surrounding areas, as well as Gippsland and communities impacted by the floods. Hank Leine will continue to provide information and advice to communities in Kinglake and surrounding areas.
In February, the RAS will be joined by Barry Ingram, who will bring a wealth of public and private sector experience in project management and residential construction. Back-up support will also be provided by the Building Commission’s Peter Collina in bushfire and flood areas.
Jim Darmos, Ralph Dawson and Marcus Worrall finished up with the RAS on 31 December 2011. Jim, Ralph and Marcus made an extremely valuable contribution to the communities they worked in, and leave behind a lasting legacy.
For more information, visit www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/bushfire
Fire Recovery Unit rehousing survey 2012
The Fire Recovery Unit is planning to conduct a phone survey to bushfire-affected households in the first half of 2012. The aim of the survey will be to improve current data on the rehousing status of bushfire-affected people, including those still living in temporary arrangements, and to ensure that these households are aware of current services available to assist in the rebuilding process or transition to permanent accommodation. Any households intended to be contacted as part of the survey will be notified by mail over the coming months.
If you have any concerns about the survey, please contact the Fire Recovery Unit directly at fire.recovery@rdv.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 055 714.
Donation of material goods at bushfire temporary villages
Following the bushfires, the Victorian Government coordinated the donation and purchase of a wide range of material goods as part of the establishment of temporary villages in Flowerdale, Kinglake, Marysville and Whittlesea. As occupancy numbers continue to reduce in the temporary villages, the Department of Human Services is keen to ensure that goods no longer required for the ongoing recovery effort continue to benefit bushfire affected communities into the future.
The State Government has already offered some of these goods to Murrindindi Shire Council to ensure that as many donated and government-purchased goods continue to contribute to community recovery from the 2009 bushfires. However, there are more than 100 items that remain. Goods available include building materials, household appliances and furniture.
In January and February 2012, DHS is inviting former Blue Referral Card holders, community groups and businesses in the Shire of Murrindindi and the City of Whittlesea to register their interest in acquiring these goods. All items are available free of charge, although successful applicants will be required to meet all costs associated with the removal and transport of goods from their current location.
An independent assessment process will be undertaken to determine the allocation of goods. In the event that demand exceeds supply for particular goods, applicants will be prioritised in following order:
- local community based organisations and eligible individuals
- local small business
- local council
- broad-based charity organisations, and
- other government departments and agencies.
A comprehensive list of available goods, the application form and the terms and conditions applicable to all applications can be downloaded from www.dhs.vic.gov.au/bushfire-goods-distribution after 20 January, or phone (03) 9096 5027. Applications can be made for up to five items. Interested parties must lodge an application by 28 February 2012.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND MEETINGS
VBAF medium term allocation announcement
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund (VBAF) has approved in-principle the provision of $20.5 million for medium and long-term recovery initiatives. This will include a range of programs and projects aimed at assisting bushfire-affected communities with their continuing recovery.
VBAF’s decision was based on recommendations from the Community Advisory Committee, chaired by former Victorian Government Minister Alan Brown.
An allocation of $7 million will be provided for state-wide initiatives which reflect common themes raised by all affected communities:
- $3.5 million for psychological support
- $2.9 million for on-ground assistance
- $0.5 million for the bereaved, and
- $0.1 million for people dispersed or displaced from their communities in the aftermath of the fires.
The remaining $13.5 million has been allocated in-principle to community projects in areas which were hardest hit by the fires. Community groups will be contacted early in 2012 to finalise their project proposals, with details of most projects to be announced soon after.
Toorourrong memorial update
A site within Toorourrong Reservoir Park, near Whittlesea, has been confirmed for the location of a permanent bushfire memorial. In December, the City of Whittlesea advertised for suitably qualified artists and designers to submit concept designs for the memorial by 4 January. The 11 submissions are currently being considered by the Evaluation Panel. The panel will receive specialist advice from the community members of the Bushfire Memorials Working Group, Parks Victoria and an artistic advisor.
As part of the memorial, the inclusion of names of people who died in the fires and who had strong links with the Whittlesea community, even though they may not have lived within the municipal boundaries of the City of Whittlesea, may be included in the memorial according to their families’ wishes.
If you wish to have the name of your family member included on the memorial please contact Ralph Mertins on (03) 9217 2252 or email ralph.mertins@whittlesea.vic.gov.au.
Whittlesea Soup Group
The Soup Group is a weekly gathering for the Whittlesea community to share lunch, stories and support. The Group meets at midday every Friday for two hours at the Whittlesea Community House, 92a Church Street, Whittlesea.
For further information, phone (03) 9716 0045.
Diary Notes
- 26 January. Opening of Mudgegonga Hall and Australia Day breakfast, 7.30am.
- 5 February. Annual Bushfire Cricket Clubs competition at Strathewen and Arthurs Creek, 9.00am - 7.30pm.
- 5 February. Sunday remembrance services (see story here).
- 5 February. Opening of Calignee Bushfire Memorial Wall, Calignee, 11.00am.
- 7 February. Third anniversary of the bushfires.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Fire Awareness Week Awards for community recovery
The winners at the Fire Awareness Week Awards were announced on 1 December by the Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan. The winners in the category of Community Recovery were Yarra Valley Practitioners for the Yarra Valley Practitioners Project and Rotary District 9520 from South Australia for the Rotary Bushfire Recovery Project.
Two highly commended certificates were received by the Community College Gippsland for the Bunyip Ridge Bushfire Recovery Project and the ‘Stitch & Chat’ Callignee and Traralgon South groups for the Stitching Ourselves Together project. Congratulations to all.
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