"We're standing with fire-affected communities every step of the way - from fighting the fires in summer to helping them rebuild their homes, their businesses and their lives well after the flames have passed." 

These were the words of Minister for Emergency Services, Lisa Neville, at a press conference in East Gippsland on February 27, 2020, more than 920 days ago. 

As of today, Wednesday, September 14, 2022, it's been 1024 days since lightning strikes ignited bushfires across East Gippsland. 

rom that initial fire to now, parts of East Gippsland are still waiting for recovery works be completed, meanwhile some are yet to begin while others are continually stalled due to a number of factors, despite the State Government claiming it had reopened every recreation site which had been impacted by the Black Summer Bushfires back in January this year. 

IMAGE: The government spruiked in August 2020 that Cape Conran would be visitor-ready by that Christmas following the Black Summer Bushfires, however important infrastructure is still far from complete. The Snowy River Mail has created a timeline of events from prior to the fires until now, detailing the ongoing road to recovery. See pages 4 and 5