The Brumby Labor Government will listen to the community’s views on recommendations in the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission report through a series of community meetings over the next week.
The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Bob Cameron, said the Brumby Labor Government was determined to give the community its chance to have input into the Government’s final response to the Commission’s recommendations.
“The Brumby Labor Government in its interim response has already announced in-principle support for 59 of the Commission’s 67 recommendations,” Mr Cameron said.
“The remaining eight require further consultation with the community and agencies, and we are organising a range of meetings to gauge community views.”
Meetings are being organised at:
Ballarat: Thursday 5 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Beechworth: Thursday 5 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Churchill: Thursday 5 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Bendigo: Friday 6 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Anglesea: Friday 6 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Labertouche: Friday 6 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Daylesford: Saturday 7 August, 2 – 4pm
Apollo Bay: Saturday 7 August, 2 – 4pm
Pakenham: Saturday 7 August, 2 – 4pm
Whittlesea: Sunday 8 August, 2 – 4pm
Kinglake: Sunday 8 August, 2 – 4pm
Marysville: Sunday 8 August, 2 – 4pm
Woodend: Monday 9 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Colac: Monday 9 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Olinda: Monday 9 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Horsham: Tuesday 10 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Warburton: Tuesday 10 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Inverloch: Tuesday 10 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Mildura: Wednesday 11 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Portland: Wednesday 11 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Bairnsdale: Wednesday 11 August, 6.30 – 8.30pm
Details of venues will be available at www.premier.vic.gov.au from 12 noon, Wednesday 4 August, with a full list of venues to be available from 5pm.
“Given the short timeframe for consultation, it has not been possible to organise a meeting in every community, but Victorians are invited to attend their nearest meeting to make their views known,” Mr Cameron said.
“At the request of some Community Recovery Committees, there will also be a range of invitation-only meetings held in areas affected by the 2009 bushfires. These are being organised by the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.
“While the Premier and Ministers will conduct a range of consultations, many of the meetings will be conducted by departmental representatives. But attendees can be assured that their views will be heard at the highest levels of Government.”
Mr Cameron said the Government had already begun discussions with people in fire-affected areas since the Commission handed down its final report on July 31, including Kinglake, St Andrews, Callignee and Halls Gap.