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Lessons learned from Victoria’s bushfires go global

Thursday, 30 June 2011

Victoria's bushfire-affected communities today left a lasting legacy from Australia's worst natural disaster, presenting a report to the Canadian Government and the Australian Red Cross that can assist future disaster recovery efforts.

110630_RyanToday on the steps of Victorian Parliament, Deputy Premier and Minister for Bushfire Response Peter Ryan officially handed over the report on behalf of Community Recovery Committees (CRCs).

"Canada is emerging from the Slave Lake wildfire disaster and is now undertaking its own recovery journey and this report will be a valuable resource to guide bushfire-affected communities in rebuilding and recovery efforts," Mr Ryan said.

"This document, Lessons Learned by Community Recovery Committees of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires - Advice we offer to communities impacted by disaster, will assist governments and communities affected by major disasters and provide advice and guidance to communities dealing with emergencies.

"This report shows the dedication of Community Recovery Committees capturing what bushfire-affected communities have learnt from their experiences in such a way as to share it with others," Mr Ryan said.

Tony Thompson, Chair of the Marysville and Triangle Committee CRC, was among CRC members from Gormandale, Kinglake Ranges and St Andrews who joined today's handover.

"This report has been prepared not to document the loss, but to highlight some of the great work which followed the 2009 bushfires," Mr Thompson said.

"We wanted to share some of the lessons we have learned so that other communities impacted upon by disaster might be supported or assisted in their recovery."

Mr Ryan said the report examined themes including communication, leadership, community planning, health and wellbeing, working with government, and relationship building.

Key advice offered by communities in the report includes:

• start communicating immediately;
• ensure community leaders have legitimacy;
• lead your own community recovery; and
• take time to develop a recovery plan and properly engage others.

Mr Ryan said the Department of Human Services had been using the report with flood-affected communities in Victoria.

"CRCs also wanted to share their experience and knowledge with the international community, and I'm pleased to welcome the Canadian Government to Parliament to accept this report on behalf on their fire-affected communities," Mr Ryan said.

"Today's handover highlights the strength of the relationship between our nations and it shows that Australians empathise with the Canadian people who are experiencing their own natural disaster."

Mr Ryan said today also marked the transition from the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority to the new Fire Recovery Unit.

"The Fire Recovery Unit will operate from within government from tomorrow to provide ongoing support for bushfire-affected communities, in addition to other important government services supporting fire recovery efforts," Mr Ryan said.

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