- Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Community Recovery Hubs providing access to vital services and a long-term physical presence in local areas are opening across Victoria’s bushfire-affected communities.
The hubs, delivered and operated by Bushfire Recovery Victoria, will be an important community meeting place that links locals to the practical support they need.
Services at individual hubs are being specially tailored to the individual needs of each community and include planning and rebuilding advice, individual case support, access to government and non-profit service providers, and small business advice.
Hubs in Mallacoota, Buchan and Sarsfield are now open with hubs in Cann Valley, Orbost and Bright opening from the week of May 25. Hubs in Bairnsdale and Corryong have been operated by councils and supported by Bushfire Recovery Victoria since the summer.
Hubs will be staffed by locally based hub coordinators to provide face-to-face support and help reduce the complexity for local community members.
In line with current coronavirus restrictions, hubs will be operating with physical barriers, space restrictions and forward bookings where required for the safety of staff and locals.
Community members are encouraged to visit their local Community Recovery Hub in person but are asked to call in advance to book a visiting time. In locations where physical hubs aren’t yet open, community members can still call hub staff and access all available services.
Hubs will also deliver a mobile service to ensure remote areas, dispersed communities and surrounding locations can more easily access hub support.
Victoria’s bushfire recovery is well underway, with around one third of the statewide clean-up of destroyed and damaged buildings complete and over $30 million in grants paid out to directly and indirectly affected small businesses and primary producers.
Community Recovery Hubs are jointly funded by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments as part of the $86 million Victorian Bushfires Community Recovery Package.
To view Community Recovery Hub locations and opening times, visit Bushfire Recovery Victoria’s community noticeboard at .
As noted by Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville
“The Community Recovery Hubs will provide a long-term physical presence in bushfire-affected areas with a familiar face at the door – ensuring communities can access all the services they need on their road to recovery.”
“It’s been an unbelievably tough few months for those who lost their homes in these fires and these local hubs will help them with planning advice, personal counselling and financial support.”
