Rebuilding Redesdale, Barfold, Baynton, Glenhope and Sidonia

The Communities

Redesdale is located approximately 114kms north-west of Melbourne. Localities directly affected by the bushfires around Redesdale include Barfold, Baynton, Glenhope and Sidonia.

By agreement, Mt Alexander Shire Council is leading the recovery process for the Redesdale Fire with support from Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Mitchell Shire and the City of Greater Bendigo.

Redesdale township has a population of just over 300, with a similar number in the nearby town of Mia Mia. Key industry in the area is farming and primary production comprising cropping, grazing, hardwood timber plantations, olive groves and vineyards.

Tourism is also a key industry with wineries and olive groves that are part of a 'Taste of Gold' trail. The Redesdale / Barfold region has been consistently producing award winning produce, meat, cheeses, olives and olive oil and wines for many years.  The region is bordered by the Northern Highway and Calder Freeway with the Coliban and Campaspe Rivers running through the centre.

The Bushfires

The 7 February fire started near the Coliban River, 8km south west of Redesdale. It burned quickly during the afternoon and moved through the localities of Barfold, Glenhope and Sidonia.

The full extent of the area burned was just less than 10,000 hectares, with about 40 percent in Mount Alexander Shire, 30 percent in Mitchell Shire, 25 percent in Macedon Ranges Shire and five per cent in City of Greater Bendigo.

Most of the area burned was grazing pasture and at least 700km of fencing was destroyed.

Around twenty dwellings were lost across the region, of which 14 were primary residences. At least 40 sheds and outbuildings were lost as well as significant amounts of farming equipment. Kennedy's Bridge (which was on a school bus route) was also destroyed.

The Barfold Common and part of the Mount Lofty Nature Reserves were badly burnt and the Barfold Gorge was also impacted. Many farmers suffered significant losses (stock, pasture, fodder, fences, farming equipment and sheds) that impacted on their ability to operate.  Approximately 800 sheep and 200 cattle were lost in the fires.

Mount Alexander Shire took the lead with replacing water in tanks and was able to meet most requests within a few weeks after the fires. Restorations works on 300km of fire control lines at Redesdale have been completed.

One olive grove and processing plant and one winery were both badly damaged with trees, vines and equipment destroyed. Another olive grove and winery were less severely damaged in the blaze.  Across the entire region the fires impacted upon the number of local and interstate visitors to the region, as well as general trade in Redesdale.

After nearly a decade of drought in Redesdale, the bushfires exacerbated the pressures of rural and agricultural livelihoods and residents have reported significant strain on their emotional resources.

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: