Gippsland › Latest news › East Gippsland Local News
East Gippsland Council releases their third instalment of Bushfire Recovery Progress Report showing rebuilding is a challenge
East Gippsland Shire Council has released its third progress report on the region's recovery from the 2019-20 East Gippsland Bushfires.
Almost three years since the fires, rebuilding continues but there are ongoing challenges and progress remains slower for a number of residents. In 2020 Council set up the Rebuild Support Service (RSS), in partnership with Bushfire Recovery Victoria (now Emergency Recovery Victoria). The RSS remains available to support bushfire-impacted landowners with specialised planning and building advice, as well as preparation of planning permit applications.
The East Gippsland Recovery Committee has been working on Bushfire Recovery planning and initiatives and responding to several investigations and inquiries
Impacts on properties
There were over 1200 structures impacted on private property during the East Gippsland bushfires. Of these 346 dwellings and 850 other structures, generally sheds and outbuildings, were destroyed.
As of December 2022, 61 landowners have completed dwelling rebuilds with a further 21 under construction. There are also 22 landowners with planning approval for a house rebuild who have not yet started their builds.
Sixty-one properties, where a total of 67 dwellings were destroyed, have been sold since the fires. Council has been advised that another 48 dwellings are not expected to be rebuilt.
Assistance and advice
Mayor Cr Mark Reeves said, in general, building is taking significantly longer than usual. "This is due to difficulties sourcing builders and tradespeople, as well as longer lead times for building materials," Cr Reeves said.
"Construction costs have also escalated sharply over the past year. This is requiring some people to reassess what they need to rebuild and options to rebuild a smaller house that still meets their needs. In some instances, there have also been challenges around Bushfire Attack Levels and these can take time to resolve."
"I encourage any bushfire-impacted property owners who would like to know more about the Rebuild Support Service to contact us and find out more about the assistance and advice that we can provide. There is no cost for this service and it is obligation free," Cr Reeves said.
The Bushfire Recovery Third Progress Report is available on the Bushfire Recovery Plans and Report page of our website.
Pictures from East Gippsland Community Foundation Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Darren Chester and Cycling Without Age Gippsland bringing joy to Buchan locals with first trishaw rides through Caves Reserve
Darren Chester welsomes Buchan Recreation Reserve redevelopment with multi-million dollar funding to boost community facilities
David Littleproud urges Labor to reinstate interest-free Regional Investment Corporation loans for flood and drought-affected farmers
Have your say and help shape Baw Baw Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026 - 2029 round 2 by 29 June 2025
Latrobe City Council secures battery backup to boost community energy resilience at Moe/Newborough and Churchill
Magpie geese spotted! Rare sightings in Maffra and Bairnsdale underscore importance of Gippsland wetlands
Join the East Gippsland 'Rising Strong 2025' community resilience forum with keynote Speaker Lucy Kaiser on 6 June 2025
Statewide drought support and ESVF pause a win for farmers, but fight for fairness continues
Bath criticises Labor blocking immediate 'Machete Ban', prioritises politics over community safety amid rising knife crime
