Fire funds for all

By Kath Gannaway
MAJOR infrastructure projects including community centres, schools and tourist attractions, as well as walking tracks, history projects, community gardens and sporting facilities have been identified for funding in the Rebuilding Together plan announced for bushfire affected communities last week.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Premier John Brumby announced the $193 million, two-year package saying the plan sets out rebuilding priorities which had been driven by local communities.
The $193 million will deliver hundreds of projects with $117 million from the federal and state governments, $56 million from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund and $20 million through philanthropic and corporate donations.
Chum Creek, Yarra Glen district, Marysville and Kinglake will be funded for projects under the plan.
Projects identified include a community facility for Chum Creek and a walking trail linking Chum Creek to Healesville.
The Yarra Glen/Dixons Creek/Steels Creek community will see the construction of a community centre and hub for a range of community organisations, construction of the Eric Tetlow Walking and Bike Trail and a history project recording the stories of Steel Creek’s experience of Black Saturday.
At Toolangi an all-purpose track linking communities from Healesville to Castells and an upgrade of the kitchen at the C.J. Dennis Hall are on the project list.
A $5.2 million Community Learning, Health and Recreation Hub and $9.2 million restoration project for Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, $2.6 million to redevelop and upgrade Steavensons Falls and $2.4 million for a new police station are on the list for Marysville, along with an upgrade of the Buxton Hall.
Kinglake also has major construction funding, with more than $10 million allocated for construction of the Middle Kinglake Education and Community Recreation Precinct.
The Kinglake National Park visitor centre and icon sites will be repaired at a cost of $1.4million.
Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBBRA) chair Christine Nixon said communities had identified more than 900 priorities and projects in the 30 Community Recovery Plans submitted and that about 90 had been identified for funding at this stage.
“Over the next four meetings of the Bushfire Appeal Fund we will come back with other community initiatives we are working through,” she said.
She said the generosity of corporate and philanthropic donors had made a big difference to what VBRRA had been able to achieve. For a copy of the Rebuilding Together Plan, listing specific projects within each area, visit www.wewillrebuild.vic.gov.au