Nillumbik Council
Remember to go to http://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/page/page.asp?page_Id=2170
for more information.
Nillumbik Environmental Planning & Environmental Works
Council's Operations Centre, Environmental Planning and Environmental Works teams are working on the following areas of bushfire recovery:
- the development of a Property Recovery Plan (or Land Management Plan) template which will help landholders to identify issues that may arise following the bushfires and suggestions on how to manage them
- employment of Tim O'Donnell to the Environmental Planning team to assist with the provision of one-on-one on-site advice and to assist landowners to work through the template
- advocating for funding to assist with on ground works on private land from State Government and CMA for implementation of works identified in the land mgt plans
- assistance with coordinating field days with other agencies (DPI, CMA) for relevant topics, such as the Strathewen Property Rehabilitation Day on the 30th and a second session proposed for St Andrews.
- established erosion control demonstration sites along roadsides
- engaged a consultant to undertake an assessment of all roadsides
- Linking landholders with offers of help from volunteers where possible.
- Council has completed the replacement of all signage, guideposts, line marking, bus shelters, culverts and one bridge. We are approximately 60% through the clean up of the roadside vegetation.
- We are currently mapping the additional fire track which were created during the fires, then we will determine which one should be kept.
- We have employed an additional staff member to coordinate the roadside clean up process
Support for businesses
A range of services and financial assistance is available for business operators who have been affected by the fires and are now rebuilding or restarting their businesses. Nillumbik Shire Council is matching local offers of support, including business consulting services, short to medium term work spaces, staffing assistance and office facilities, with requests from bushfire affected businesses. If you are requiring or offering assistance please call Daryl Brooke on 0433 948 258. Professional advice and mentoring services are available at no cost through Business Victoria. To find out more or to arrange an appointment with a mentor, call 13 22 15.
Financial assistance for small businesses is available in a number of ways.
- The Rural Finance Corporation is administering clean-up and restoration grants and low-cost loans to eligible small businesses and primary producers. Call 1800 255 925 for further information.
- The Victorian Government has one-off grants of $5,000 for immediate repair and restoration costs for businesses and primary producers directly affected by the fires. Call 13 22 15.
- The VECC I Business Relief Fund has been established to provide short-term emergency financial support for businesses adversely affected by the fires. Go to www.vecci.org.au to find out how to apply.
Rates reminder
Nillumbik Shire Council will waive rates for the last five months of 2008-2009 for those individuals and businesses whose residence/buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by the fires. Letters to this effect are currently being distributed.