Rebuilding Mirboo North and district

The Communities

Located in the South Gippsland Shire, more than 150 kilometres east of Melbourne, Mirboo North is situated at the intersection of the Strzelecki Highway and the Grand Ridge Rail Trail - two of Victoria's most scenic tourist routes.

Mirboo North has a population of some 2600 people. Nearby towns include Darlimurla and Delburn.

While tourism makes a significant contribution to the local economy, it is agriculture which is the principal driver of economic activity in this district. Grain, sheep, beef and dairy farms abound. The district is also home to the farming of berries, lavender, proteas and alpacas, and to the award-winning Grand Ridge Brewery.

The forests of Mirboo North came to national and international attention as the home of Sam the Koala - one of the most enduring emblems of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

The Bushfires

While there were no fatalities recorded in this district, a small number of properties were destroyed at Mirboo North and at Darlimurla.

Businesses affected include local shops, hotels, food and accommodation facilities and plant nurseries.

Significant damage to stock fencing and pasture was also reported. A key mobile phone transmission tower which was damaged in the fires was repaired and has been fully operational since late February 2009.

Local environmental and tourism icons such as the Grand Ridge Rail Trail and the Lyrebird Walk were also impacted by the 2009 bushfires.

Following post-bushfire recovery works, the Mirboo North end of the Grand Ridge Rail Trail has re-opened to the public and it is anticipated that the Boolarra end will re-open in the near future.

The picturesque Lyrebird Forest Walk - which showcases both the temperate rainforest and the dry schlerophyll of the Strzelecki Ranges - has also re-opened to the public.

Recovery Plan

Since the 2009 bushfires Community Recovery Committees and the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (the Authority) have worked in partnership with the community, other government departments and authorities, the philanthropic sector and private donors to deliver outcomes for the vast majority of recovery projects proposed in the 33 Community Recovery Plans across the state. The plans have been pivotal in driving and directing the community rebuilding and recovery effort, through a focus on the needs and priorities of each individual community.

With around 1,100 projects and ideas identified in plans across Victoria, the Authority estimates that around 800 of these have been addressed in varying ways. Hundreds more projects identified outside this process have been delivered across affected communities.

The attachments below include the Community Recovery Plan and the response and funding status for all of the projects originally identified: