Representatives from both councils have come together to launch the new Mobile Bushfire Recovery Office.

The new mobile office is part of an outreach strategy developed by both shires to help aid the community in the recovery from the fires.

Moyne Shire acting CEO Kevin Leddin said the mobile office would be located at four locations within the fire affected areas of Gazette/Hawkesdale and Garvoc.

The office will be at the following locations for the next six months:

Tuesday’s: 9:30am - 12noon, Jelbarts Road, 1-3pm, Gazette Fire Station.

Thursday’s: 09:30am -12noon, Howard’s Road, 1-3pm Sisters-Garvoc Road.

The office will provide advice regarding planning, grant information, building, referrals to financial counselling and the re-establishment of trees.

It is also hoped it will facilitate the connection of communities by helping to promote social gatherings, educational opportunities and peer mentoring.

Mr Leddin said the new mobile office was an important community asset.

“As a council, we are there to support and help those affected by the fires in any way we can,” Mr Leddin said.

“Recovery from the fires will continue for a long time.

“There is property, pasture and animal recovery that will be ongoing.

“We want to put in as many support mechanisms as we can to help out in what is a tough time for many people.” 

The mobile office is in the form of a van, which has been supplied free of charge by CFA district five.  

Moyne Shire will pay fuel for the vehicle while it is in operation.

After the fires, Moyne Shire set up a municipal operations control centre at the Port Fairy Community Services Centre. 

When this centre closed in mid April, community meetings were held to see how council could best assist those affected by the fire.

Community feedback was that a permanent centre was not needed going forward and that a mobile office would be more advantageous and better meet the needs of those affected.