Bushfire ‘listening tour’ dates go public after disastrous start to meetings
Bushfire ‘listening tour’ dates go public after disastrous start to meetings
04 August 2010
published by www.theage.com.au
Australia — Bushfire-affected communities will have the chance to have their views heard on the Black Saturday royal commission’s final report at a series of meetings beginning tomorrow.
The announcement comes a day after Premier John Brumby’s “listening tour” of bushfire-ravaged towns to discuss the commission’s recommendations had a disastrous start.
Angry survivors in Gippsland accused him of snubbing them in favour of media stunts.
Mr Brumby was in Callignee yesterday to inspect the progress of the reconstruction of the town’s community centre.
His trip disappointed members of the local community reconstruction committee, who were unaware he was travelling to the region.
Today, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Bob Cameron said the government was determined to give the community a chance to have input.
The state government has committed to 59 of the 67 recommendations made by the commission and it said it would take several weeks to review the final eight.
The meetings – some to be attended by the Premier and ministers – begin tomorrow evening in Ballarat, Beechworth and Churchill.
At the request of some community recovery committees, there will also be a range of invitation-only meetings held in areas affected by the 2009 bushfires,” Mr Cameron said.
“These are being organised by the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority.”
Details of the venues will be available today at www.premier.vic.gov.au
Meetings are being organised at:
Ballarat: Tomorrow, August 5, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Beechworth: Tomorrow, August 5, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Churchill: Tomorrow, August 5, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Bendigo: Friday, August 6, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Anglesea: Friday, August 6, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Labertouche: Friday, August 6, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Daylesford: Saturday, August 7, 2pm to 4pm
Apollo Bay: Saturday, August 7, 2pm to 4pm
Pakenham: Saturday, August 7, 2pm to 4pm
Whittlesea: Sunday, August 8, 2pm to 4pm
Kinglake: Sunday, August 8, 2pm to 4pm
Marysville: Sunday, August 8, 2pm to 4pm
Woodend: Monday, August 9, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Colac: Monday, August 9, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Olinda: Monday, August 9, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Horsham: Tuesday, August 10, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Warburton: Tuesday, August 10, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Inverloch: Tuesday, August 10, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Mildura: Wednesday, August 11, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Portland: Wednesday, August 11, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
Bairnsdale: Wednesday, August 11, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
