The State Government continues to play catch up with fire affected communities struggling to recover from the summer bushfires, The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said today.
Ms Broad told Parliament the government must prioritise support for communities trying to recover from the bushfires, as many people had been abandoned by the system.
Ms Broad said she had spoken with many people who were frustrated, angry and distressed.
“CFA volunteers have shared their frustration about relying on ageing fleets and failing equipment; calling for backup strike teams and air support with none available; asking for more water and being told no; driving past their own homes on the back of a truck and watching them burn.
“There were residents in communities where backup for essential services failed, which put lives at risk; an elderly couple just out of Alexandria still buying bottled water over a hundred days after the fires; the Fawcett community desperately calling for star pickets to rebuild fences destroyed by fire; residents in need of mental health support being told to wait or that none is available; confusion and delays with the state government’s clean-up programs so far behind; a lack of government support to assist with euthanising stock; and delays seeking the support of wildlife volunteers.”
“The slow-turning wheels of disaster recovery funding arrangements between federal and state governments are full of bureaucratic red tape. Our state government expects local councils to step up during a disaster but failed to deliver the funding or resources to help communities get back on their feet.”
Ms Broad said the communities that suffered the greatest impact, such as Murrindindi and Strathbogie shires were under extreme pressure due to inequitable funding.
“It is easy for the government to put out a media release that support is available, but requiring people to apply for assistance across various different agencies shifts the burden onto individuals who are already struggling to survive.
“Facing a pile of paperwork when you have experienced such loss simply adds to the trauma.”
Ms Broad recently called on the government to extend the waiver for tip fees for bushfire victims as it was due to expire on May 12. It was extended to June 30, but Ms Broad said this was still not long enough and would add to the pressure and red tape for affected residents.
“I am part of a parliamentary committee considering the state’s response to the summer bushfires and I do not wish to pre-empt the findings or recommendations of the report, but as the Nationals representative for Northern Victoria I have a responsibility to highlight these issues,” Ms Broad said.
“The fact that we have no standard playbook for support following disasters is problematic when Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone areas in the world.
“The fires are no longer in the media headlines, but the communities are still suffering.
“I will continue to fight for those affected by the summer bushfires to get the support they need.”
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
