Rebuilding Continues In Gippsland One Year After 2009 Bushfires
Premier John Brumby was in Gippsland today to mark another milestone in the ongoing rebuilding of communities, one year after the 2009 bushfires began.
Mr Brumby met with the communities of Callignee and Traralgon South to mark the start of works on the $3 million Callignee Community Centre, incorporating a new CFA fire station and community hub razed in the February fires.
On Black Saturday 11 lives were lost in Gippsland along with than 200 homes and public infrastructure, with 11 homes owned by Callignee Fire Brigade members lost.
Mr Brumby said significant rebuilding had taken place across Gippsland with councils issuing almost 200 building permits to fire-affected residents.
“The construction on this new facility is another important part of the community’s recovery, at a time when they are marking the 12 month anniversary from when the fires began,” Mr Brumby said.
“The anniversary will be an incredibly difficult and emotional time for many people, so it’s good news to start works on this important community facility.
“The Callignee Community Centre will not only provide a new home for the local CFA, it has been designed to meet the specific needs of several community groups, a multi-purpose hall and space for a children’s playgroup.
“Following last year’s tragic fires it became evident that places where people could come together were an important part of a community’s recovery and our government is committed to supporting the development of these places for the future.”
Latrobe City Council will manage the replacement of the destroyed facilities with a new multi-purpose centre, a new community hall and stage, large kitchen, meeting rooms and a kitchenette.
A new cricket pavilion will be linked to the main building by an undercover walkway, with direct access to the oval and change rooms.
Commonwealth Parliamentary Secretary for Bushfire Reconstruction Bill Shorten said the significant work of the Community Reference Group, Community Recovery Committee and Latrobe City Council had been instrumental in the development of the new hub.
“This centre is a key part of rebuilding in Gippsland. We can’t turn the clock back to February 6 but we can ensure that communities get the facilities they need as they recover,” he said.
“Councils and Community Recovery Committees throughout the affected areas of Gippsland have worked tirelessly to determine what their communities need as they recover from the fires.”
The Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, Christine Nixon, said many projects funded through the $193 million Rebuilding Together Plan were currently underway across Gippsland.
“The Authority is continuing to work with communities to match local rebuilding and recovery priorities to funding from governments, corporate and philanthropic donors, and funds set aside for community projects by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund,” Ms Nixon said.
Current projects include:
- Traralgon South Men’s Shed upgrade;
- Mirboo North Community Facility upgrade;
- Tarra Bulga National Park upgrade;
- Regent Theatre Upgrade;
- Devon North Hall improvements;
- Nangara Reserve Restoration;
- Grand Ridge Rail Trail Restoration;
- Emergency planning and preparedness;
- Jeeralang North Hall;
- Koornalla and Le Roy Reserve improvements; and
- Traralgon South Cricket Club Kitchen.
The new Callignee Community Centre has been made possible through funding from the Victorian Government, council and community, including a generous donation of more than $185,000 and volunteer support from local employer Alstom towards eco-friendly aspects of the new building.
Topics: 12 month anniversary, 2009, Black Saturday, Brumby Labor Government, building permits, Bushfire Appeal Fund, Bushfire Reconstruction, Bushfires, Callignee Community Centre, Callignee Fire Brigade, CFA fire station, communities, community, community recovery, Community Recovery Committee, Community Reference Group, construction, Council, eco friendly, economic development, economic growth, economic recovery, Economy, employment, environment, February fires, fire affected residents, Gippsland, Governance, government, homes, housing, jobs, Latrobe City Council, monitor, news, public infrastructure, rebuilding, Rebuilding Together Plan, Victoria, Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority, Victorian Government
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