By Taylah Eastwell
Yarra Ranges Council is calling on a number of senior government officials to deliver extra funding, resources and support to residents of storm-ravaged communities across the shire.
An urgent motion was called at council’s Tuesday 13 July meeting by Streeton Ward councillor Cathrine Burnett-Wake requesting that council write to those in authority to explain the magnitude of the storm damage and clean up required across the Yarra Ranges.
The motion was passed unanimously, with council also vowing to request a review of eligibility for private property owners in bushfire prone areas, such as the Dandenongs, to obtain assistance with tree and debris clean-up efforts.
The passed motion will also see council request additional funding be provided to enable council to support and facilitate further storm-related recovery programs. It is hoped the correspondence may help to secure a commitment and timeline for additional funding and resources, including further support from the Australian Defence Force, to assist with clean-up before the summer bushfire season hits.
To date, federal and state governments have jointly provided $55.5 million to Bushfire Recovery Victoria, the agency leading the post-storm clean up.
The funds are to assist residents whose homes, businesses and sheds were destroyed to have their properties cleaned up. For residents who did not suffer property damage, there is currently no assistance on offer to clean up trees and debris that pose significant fire risks if not addressed.
The state government also announced on July 1 that $8.2 million would be provided to 10 councils across the state that were significantly affected by floods and storms in June. While Yarra Ranges Council will receive a portion of this funding, no public announcements have yet been made as to how the funds will be shared.
Council estimates post-storm clean-up and recovery will cost around $60 million not including drainage repairs, road works or cleaning up private properties. According to Council’s 13 July meeting agenda, it is expected that cleaning up private land settings could see this estimate run well into the “hundreds of millions”.
Speaking at the meeting, Cathrine Burnett-Wake said council has not yet received any “solid assurance of a funding amount”, arguing the tentative figures mentioned so far are a “tiny fraction” of what is needed.
“While we are grateful for the support received and commitments made to date; it is clear that an enormous shortfall remains,” Cr Burnett-Wake said.
“If Council were to fund the storm recovery over the next three years, we would need at least an additional $20 million in each year to cover the expense. To raise $20 million per year through rates, as a percentage of our current rate base, would equate to a 15.2% rise in rates in year one, with similar large rises accumulating in following years.
“Clearly this is not only outrageous, but impossible, due to rate capping. If we are not provided with sufficient assistance, there is every possibility that Council will be forced into debts that will impact the rates, services and infrastructure for years to come,” she said.
The Star Mail understands the federal government established a Disaster Recovery Fund in 2018 to reduce the financial burden on the states and territories in the aftermath of natural disasters.
“Under these arrangements, the Victorian government determines what assistance is available to individuals and communities, and what they are able to request federal funding for – which covers up to 75% of costs, with the implication that the state would fund the remaining 25%,” Ms Cr Burnett-Wake explained.
“To be clear, the Victorian state government is the gatekeeper to these federal funds. Anything we get must be either requested by them, or provided by them, in addition to the federal scheme,” she said.
Mayor Fiona McAllister said the last minute motion was “very worthy of being accepted as urgent business”.
Billanook Ward councillor Tim Heenan agreed, telling fellow councillors “we have to go all out”.
“The task before us up in the Dandenongs and in other areas is going to be quite challenging,” Mr Heenan said.
But Cr-Burnett Wake said we do not simply need cash.
“We need direct help for our severely affected communities. We need qualified disaster-recovery personnel, and we need them now, not after a prolonged hiring process.
“For the last four weeks we have had numerous Victorian Government Miniisters along with high-ranking Public Officials come and see first-hand how bad the situation is. I have met number of them. All remarked on how terrible it is, and how surprised and shocked they were with what they saw and heard … and that help will come.
“Although we are hearing from the state they will continue to work with council and community and to identify further programs and support. To date, what this support and these programs might look like is absent, as are timeframes. Feedback from community members to me is they feel abandoned,” Cr Burnett-Wake said.
“Our community and Council deserve a response, and certainty, from the state government on the degree to which it will assist us with a viable pathway out of this disaster.
