Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Ministers statements: bushfire recovery initiatives

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:29): Recently I updated the house on the ongoing recovery work from floods, but as we approach the fourth anniversary I would like to acknowledge the ongoing recovery from the 2019–20 fires. Last week I travelled to Mallacoota with my Eastern Victoria colleague Tom McIntosh and the emergency management commissioner. Mallacoota was one of the hardest hit communities, as many people in this room know, with over 100 houses lost. Images of a red sky over evacuating residents have stuck with us, and there is no escaping the scarred landscape as you come into Mallacoota.

We met with local police and the Mallacoota and District Recovery Association, a dedicated group of people whose sole focus is helping their community to recover. What we heard is that even in a tight-knit community recovery is a long process that requires ongoing support and intervention. That is why after each disaster our government’s focus is on tailored support services that are driven by what works for each community and what they tell us they need and when.

I would also like to acknowledge the impressive work of Bryce and the Friends of Mallacoota group, who allowed us to inspect their endemic garden, ahead of the grand opening this weekend – a new botanical garden that features rare and endangered plant species that are native to the area. Bryce and his friends’ work will ensure native flora has a safe refuge for generations to come. I would also like to give a shout-out to Charles at the abalone-processing facility, where, thanks to combined state and federal government investments, they were able to re-establish and maintain their regional employment and footprint in the international market for abalone.

As we approach the coming fire season, it was really important to have a sit-down with Mallacoota CFA captain Tracey Johnston, a very impressive local, and also representatives from the broader CFA and from Forest Fire Management Victoria to learn about the preparation for the upcoming season. I really commend their ongoing work for the safety of their community.