Cape Conran Coastal Park will be “visitor-ready” soon under the State Government’s bushfire recovery plan announced at the weekend.
The government’s new blueprint for fire-affected regions was unveiled on Sunday with $7.15 million of the $110m plan being allocated to infrastructure at Cape Conran.
While the finer details of the funding are yet to be disclosed, the funding announced includes some significant positives for the area according to Orbost and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry secretary, Garry Squires.
He said the upgrading of infrastructure at Cape Conran to make it “visitor ready” is an important step towards getting Cape Conran ready to welcome visitors back for the Christmas holidays.
“This will be important given events of last Christmas,” he said.
“Getting ready for visitors includes having the cabins and camping areas ready but also the other infrastructure around Cape Conran such as walking tracks and boardwalks and it is positive to see plans well advanced for their repair.
“The Chamber is also supportive of the planned upgrades to Cape Conran planned for the longer term including the plans for connection to sewerage and potable water.
“Other funding committed by government towards restoration of roads, bridges and safety works in parks and forests is also welcomed and should be a significant boost to the local economy.”
The Bushfire Recovery Victoria’s Eastern Victoria Fires 2019-20 State Recovery Plan sets out the journey ahead for bushfire-affected communities over the next 12 to 18 months as they move from the short-term ‘stabilising’ phase to longer-term rebuilding and recovery.
It outlines $78.06 million for region-wide projects vital for recovery including:
* $10 million to repair and reinstate roads, crossings and fire-tower infrastructure and $8 million to ensure the safety of the arterial road network
* $8 million to deliver and install more high-quality, short-term modular homes and $4.4 million for support, services and rebates to help locals plan and complete their rebuild
* $7.7 million to fund new seed stocks and directly sow forest areas by hand and helicopter, and $5 million to protect rare and threatened species from pests and predators
* $6.4 million for safety works in parks and forests so they are fit for public use and $1.2 million to support a major event review of Regional Forest Agreements
* $4.8 million to support Aboriginal community organisations, businesses, jobs and infrastructure
* $5.1 million to fund legal assistance and $2 million to provide tailored financial counselling for bushfire-affected individuals and businesses
* $3.6 million to further boost the capacity of councils – Victoria’s key partners in recovery
* $1.95 million to strengthen the resilience of schools and help them prepare for future disasters
* $1.88 million to increase family violence support services, including early intervention programs, and $88,000 to support health and housing services.
In addition, the State Recovery Plan also delivers $34.3 million towards the Local Economic Recovery program – matching a previous Commonwealth Government contribution.
