disaster recovery bushfire report May 2009
Bushfire Recovery May 2009
INTRODUCTION
On Saturday 7 February, the weather conditions were extreme for bush fires to occur with temperatures of 45 – 50°Celsius (115 – 120°F) and strong, hot North winds, followed by an equally strong Southerly change. The Conditions were perfect for the disaster that was to follow.
BLACK SATURDAY
- Homes lost: 1668 out of 2029
- Known Fatalities: 161 out of 173
- Area burnt: Approx. 70% of the total
- Rotary Clubs from District 9790
- Rotary Clubs from other Districts around Australia
- Rotary Clubs and Districts from outside Australia
Including
The Rotary Club of Yuzhno Sakhalinski, Russia
The Rotary Club of Biysk, Siberia
The Rotary Club of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia - Private donations
For example: District 9650 (Northern NSW) with the Myrtleford/Beechworth area.
SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE FIRES
- The first phase is the emergency response through the CFA, SES, Police and other emergency services including providing support at the staging areas.
- The second phase is the immediate support and assistance to those who have suffered particularly at the Relief Centres.
- The third phase is the longer term recovery, re-building and re-establishing normality as much as possible.
- Many Rotarians have spent countless hours and days working at the various Relief Centres.
- BBQ, Special events and Benefit Concerts to raise funds and/or as “thank you” functions.
- Co-ordinating the distribution of hay, food and clothing.
- Providing vouchers for the supply of goods and services.
- Purchasing Shelter Boxes or providing Aquaboxes to provide safe drinking water.
- Organising donations to the Blood Bank.
- Organising fence repairs.
- Conducting “tool drives” involving the local community for contributions
- Site preparation for sheds, caravans and similar temporary accommodation facilities
- Organising the distribution of “Hussif” bandoleers
- Donating, transporting and distributing several bins of fruit and vegetables
- Covering the fuel costs for the distribution of hay, food etc.
- Assisting with the distribution of undies from an “Undy Mundy”’ appeal
- Operating stalls at markets
- Assisting with accommodation
- Assisting with fencing and removal of rubbish
- Replacing tools and equipment and similar activities
CURRENT SITUATION (as at 1st May 2009)
- Phase 1 has now passed
- Phase 2 – Support at the various Relief Centres is now phasing out with many Centres closing and/or amalgamating.
- Phase 3 – Now starting to identify longer term recovery, re-building and re-establishing projects.
- TAX DEDUCTABILITY FOR PRIVATE DONATIONS
- Limited liability companies
- Incorporated companies
- Family trusts
- Partnerships
A GST refund is not available for donations from the “Private” Fund.
JOINT VICTORIAN and TASMANIAN DISTRICT GOVERNORS’ COMMITTEE
Addendum 1.
SUPPORT PROVIDED FROM THE DISTRICT FUND (as at 11 May 2009)
So far the District has provided support to the following applications:
Support provided to date:
Myrtleford (Community Days) | $ 2,000.00 | ||
Southern Mitchell (Fencing) | $ 3,378.00 | ||
Alexandra (Shed Project) | $15,000.00 | ||
Whittlesea (Wallan Relief Centre) | $ 9,000.00 | ||
Whittlesea (Whittlesea CFA) | $ 3,000.00* | ||
Mansfield (Music for Children) | $ 2,325.00* | ||
Southern Mitchell (Fencing) | $ 2,780.45 | ||
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Total Donations | $37,493.45 | ||
Note: * Approved but to be paid |
Support has been requested by:
Myrtleford (vouchers/fencing) $180,000.00+ | |||
Kinglake Ranges Business Network $ 95,000.00+ | |||
Strathewen Garden project $ 10,000.00 | |||
Marysville “Shopping Precinct” $?????????? | |||
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$285,000.00 |
SUPPORT INTO THE FUTURE
- “Fallen between the cracks” from receiving Government and other agency support
- Not received any support
- Received support but it has been inadequate to cover essential needs and requirements.
- Assist burns victims.
- Assisting schools with equipment not covered by the Government and the parents cannot afford.
- Re-building or establishing some essential community amenities.
- Fencing – replacement and clean-up
- Depression
- Temporary Accommodation
- General requirements such as farming equipment and tools
- Stock feed – this appears to be less urgent as farmers are being encouraged be less reliant on donated feed
- Support for local businesses that were not burnt out but are still struggling to survive
- Contributing to the rebuilding of “the community” at Marysville by assisting with the development of a community shopping precinct.
- Contributing to the recovery of the Strathewen community by assisting the purchase of plants to re-establish gardens
- Support for the Kinglake Ranges Business Network
- Assistance for farmers to replace fencing, cleaning dams and the purchase of replacement fire fighting equipment for the Myrtleford/Mudgegonga area
The advice from people working in the disaster areas is that the survivors are just beginning to understand their losses. In some cases, areas have just opened up to non-residents.
In addition, the consequences of the fires and the devastation now has considerably less emphasis in the press as well as the support organisations are appearing to be moving on with most relief centres either closing or being amalgamated
Consequently, we are now just beginning to receive requests to support major projects in the areas most severely affected by the fires.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER DISTRICTS
- The Myrtleford/Mudgegonga area has a need for clearing of destroyed fencing and installation of replacement fences.
- Cleaning of dams in which recent rains have washed ash, soot and other debris into the water making it unusable by stock.
- The purchase of a slip-on fire fighting unit for the Mudgegonga CFA.
A possible partnership between this area and District 9830 would be possible following the preparation of a submission to the appropriate authorities for approval and possible additional support for funding. It will be necessary to purchase the building to allow the process to commence.
The Kinglake Ranges Business Network requires a “home” in which the local small businesses can use to access the internet, have meetings and general office facilities/support. Most, if not all, have lost their homes and base to operate their business and this facility would provide the ability to operate while the long re-construction process occurs. The facility would then be used by other community groups if/when the primary need passes.
There is also a link on the District website to several images from the bush fires. Please note, some people may find them distressing and cause concern. They do, however, illustrate the environment that the survivors face every day during the cleaning and reconstruction process.
Alan Anderson
Assistant Governor Group 1
District Co-ordinator Bush Fire and Drought Recovery Committee
Rotary International District 9790