Recovery from the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires
DEECA, including FFMVic and other portfolio areas, works with a range of partners including other agencies, local businesses, Traditional Owners, and communities to help Victoria prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergency events.
Following major bushfires, DEECA is responsible for a diverse range of emergency recovery activities across the agriculture, energy, environment and water portfolios.
Following the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, there has been more than $225 million in direct recovery investment across the former Department of Environment, Land Water and Planning, including significant wildlife, biodiversity and public land recovery activities.
While the majority of these bushfire recovery activities have now been delivered, remaining initiatives from 2023 - 2025 include:
- reinstating and recovery of visitor assets and critical infrastructure on public land in fire-affected regions including road, crossings and walking trail restoration.
- rainwater and septic tank replacement program with rebates for households to have safe access to potable water and high-quality wastewater disposal systems.
- planning, building and geotechnical rebates to households to facilitate reconstruction of more resilient homes.
Following more recent localised bushfires at Briagolong, Loch Sport, Bayindeen-Rocky Road, Dadswell Bridge and Pomonal, each community is at a different stage of recovery. DEECA is continuing to manage immediate risks with local resources, progress insurance claims and assess longer-term recovery needs.
A range of emergency stabilisation activities have been delivered through the emergency response including:
- managing waste pollution strategies including Waste Levy Waivers and Gate Fee Rebates.
- erosion control on public land to help manage risks to safety, values and infrastructure.
- assisting farmers to repair and restore fences damaged by bushfire or suppression activities with the Country Fire Authority.
- ensuring the replacement of essential stock and domestic water required from private landholders during firefighting operations.
Table 49 summarises the bushfire recovery initiatives implemented by DEECA in 2023-24.
Table 49: Summary of DEECA bushfire recovery initiatives implemented in 2023-24.
Initiative Name | Event | Metric | Funding Expensed ($) - FY2023/24 | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roads, fixed assets and hazardous tree removal on public land (DEECA) | 2019/20 Eastern Victoria Bushfire | Total number of recreation sites made safe (to date): 69 | $4,403,958.00 | On-Track |
Total distance of walking trails reopened (to date): 131km~ | ||||
Total Kms of road reopened (to date): 127km~ | ||||
| Visitor assets: Reinstating visitor assets on public land in fire-affected regions (DEECA | 2019/20 Eastern Victoria Bushfire | Number of visitor sites fully re-opened: 51 | $134,626.00 | On-Track |
| Visitor assets: Reinstating visitor assets on public land in fire-affected regions (PV) | $3,721,477.10 | Complete | ||
| Rainwater and Septic Tank Replacement | 2019/20 Eastern Victoria Bushfire | Households Supported: 82 | $102,447.41 | On-Track |
Septic Tank Rebate (paid): 34 | ||||
Rainwater Tank Rebate (paid): 64 | ||||
| Planning and Building Assistance Rebate Scheme + Geotechnical Assessment Rebate | 2019/20 Eastern Victoria Bushfire | Households supported: 73 | $85,462.10 | On-Track |
Note: The metrics have been provided over the life of the program as a result of ongoing maintenance to these public roads and visitor sites following subsequent storms and floods events.
| Total $8,447,970.61 | |||
Updated