Skip to: site navigation
Active Recovery Program
2009 Bushfires (Including Black Saturday, 7 February 2009)On 10 February 2009, the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments established the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority (VBRRA) to oversee and coordinate the largest recovery and rebuilding program Victoria has ever faced. The Fire Recovery Unit was established on 1 July, 2011 following the closure of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority. The unit’s role is to assist the ongoing recovery of communities impacted by the 2009 Victorian bushfires by facilitating strong relationships and clear responses to identified community needs. |
 |
||
VBRRA Rebuilding Together - Statewide Plan
[PDF File - 3.5 MB]Please note - this is a very large file and may take some time to download.
Reports on the progress of projects contained in the Statewide Plan can now be found on the Regional Development Victoria website.
In conjunction with fire management partners, the DEPI has developed a Bushfire Recovery Plan that aims to summarise the many regional public land rehabilitation plans into one succinct over-arching document.
Bushfire Recovery Plan - Parts 1 & 2
[PDF File - 2.5 MB]Bushfire Recovery Plan - Parts 3 - 5 & Appendices
[PDF File - 643.9 KB]Bushfire Recovery Plan - 2009 Bushfires (accessible version)
[File - 487.8 KB]Assistance available
Landholder assistance - provides specific information on rehabilitation and recovery assistance offered by DEPI, Parks Victoria and the Department of Primary Industries (DPI):
Updates
Major recovery projects – 2009 Bushfires
Below are updates on some of the major projects outlined in the Recovery Plan for Public Land - 2009 Bushfires
Kinglake National Park - Master plan
Parks Victoria is developing a long term master plan for Kinglake National Park. With most visitor facilities lost in the 2009 fires and with the advance of urban development, there is a need to carefully plan for how the park is set up for future visitors. Visit the Parks Victoria website.
| Steavenson Falls – Marysville Steavenson Falls, located 5km from Marysville, is one of Victoria’s most spectacular waterfalls and is renowned for its natural beauty. On February 7th 2009 the Murrindindi Mill fire destroyed most of the infrastructure at the Falls, and severely impacted upon the natural environment. The recovery and redevelopment project will complete a major works program that will re-establish Steavenson Falls as a key visitor attraction. The project will restore visitor access to the Steavenson Falls Scenic Reserve, and repair and rebuild visitor facilities. On September 18th 2010, Steavenson Falls was officially reopened to weekend public access by former Premier John Brumby. Falls Rd and the car park have been reconstructed, and visitors can take the rebuilt walking track to the new viewing platform at Steavenson Falls. The new platform is located at the base of the Falls, providing visitors with a close-up experience of the waterfall. The reserve is only open to the public on weekends whilst Stage 2 works are undertaken. Stage 2 includes the construction of a new toilet block, visitor shelter, additional viewing footbridge and platform, floodlighting, and walking tracks. When the project is complete, visitors will be able to enjoy a range of walks offering views of the spectacular waterfall and the Steavenson River valley. Night visitors will again be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Falls under lights. The redevelopment is anticipated to be complete by November 2011. |
 |
| Marysville State Forest Marysville State Forest and Beauty Spot Natural Features Reserve are important natural drawcards of the Marysville area. The Marysville State Forest – Recreation Bushfire Recovery and Redevelopment project will complete a works program that allows the progressive re-opening of forest areas to public access. A walking track master plan for the Marysville area has been developed in consultation with the local community, to realign Marysville’s many walking tracks and offer visitors an improved experience. Walking tracks which are currently open are Michaeldene Track, Trestle Track, and the walk from the Steavenson Falls carpark to the base of Falls. Road access to Keppel’s Lookout is open; however no walking tracks or visitor facilities are available at the site. New footbridges are currently being constructed and will be installed throughout Marysville State Forest from mid October. Restoration works are currently underway at Anderson’s Mill, Keppel’s Lookout, Beauty Spot and Tree Fern Gully. |
 |
| Murrindindi Scenic Reserve Located 80km north-east of Melbourne in Toolangi State Forest, Murrindindi Scenic Reserve has long been a popular spot for camping and recreation. The Murrindindi Mill fire burnt through the Scenic Reserve and much of Toolangi and Black Range State Forests, leaving only a few bridges remaining. Prior to the fires, over 30,000 campers visited the reserve each year, along with thousands of day visitors. Over $2.4 million was allocated for the recovery and redevelopment of the Reserve, and the repairs have been designed to improve upon the previous facilities and enhance visitor experience. Stage One works at Murrindindi are now nearing completion. Stage One works include the reconstruction of Suspension Bridge Picnic Area, Blackwood and Cassinia camping areas, picnic tables and barbecues; the construction of a new permanent toilet block, and installation of a new steel suspension bridge and several footbridges. Murrindindi Scenic Reserve will be re-opened to the public on Saturday October 30th. Stage Two of the recovery project will commence shortly and will restore the remaining camping areas and walking tracks within the reserve, and will be completed by November 2011. |
 |
| Mt Disappointment Mt Disappointment State Forest, located 65km north of Melbourne, is a popular tourist destination which prior to February 2009, received a significant number of camping visitors and day visitors annually. The Black Saturday bushfires burnt throughout all of Mt Disappointment State Forest and damaging most facilities and infrastructure there. Since the fires, Mt Disappointment’s recreation and camping areas have been closed to the public due to concerns for public safety. Major rehabilitation works have been undertaken with the aim of restoring the forest’s visitor facilities and re-opening public access. Most recently, three footbridges have been installed as part of the Sunday Creek walking track. Construction of a pit toilet is underway, and earthworks and roads are being finished in spite of heavy rainfall and weather delays. Once roadwork is complete, further development at Mt Disappointment will continue, with the installation of picnic tables, BBQs and visitor shelter scheduled for completion prior to December 2010. It is expected that Mt Disappointment will be reopened to campers for Easter 2011. Grand Ridge Rail Trail |
 |
The new bridge crossings are near the half way point, just east of Darlimurla.
The project was delivered in a partnership with the State Government and a Steering Committee made up of the trail’s Committee of Management, volunteers, community reconstruction committees, the Latrobe and South Gippsland Shire Councils, and other stakeholders.
For more information on the trail, visit the Grand Ridge Rail Trail website.
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is open for business. This includes the main visitor centre, Heights bistro and toilet facilities.
Further information is available from the Lake Mountain Alpine Resort website.
Recycling for recovery program
The Recycling for Recovery Program is a $1.584 million initiative raised from recycled steel that was cleared from homes destroyed by the 2009 Victorian bushfires. Grants will be made available to Landcare and other community environmental groups to rehabilitate the environment through this program.
For more information please visit Landcare.
Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site.