Accommodation and clean-up assistance
The Department of Human Services is assisting people who have lost their homes in the Black Saturday bushfires to find temporary accommodation while homes and communities are rebuilt.
There are a range of services and support available. Temporary housing assistance includes private rental accommodation, temporary villages at Flowerdale, Marysville and Kinglake, public and community housing, caravans in approved locations where services and utilities are available and private homes offered by the community.
To find out more about temporary accommodation assistance talk to your case manager or ring the Victorian Bushfire Accommodation Inquiry Line on 1800 006 468.
A guide to temporary housing options
The Guide to temporary housing options for people affected by the bushfires (pdf 4.3MB) outlines a range of temporary accommodation options available to bushfire affected people while they rebuild or make decisions about their future housing.
Printed copies of the guide can be obtained from Community Service Hubs, through case managers and housing workers, at local council offices, or by calling the Victorian Bushfire Accommodation Line on 1800 006 468.
Returning to your home
We strongly advise that people do not begin cleaning up or moving back to their fire damaged homes until advised. There are immediate issues around the safety of people going back to fire-affected areas, such as the risk of exposure to disease, accidents and other health risks. Details of the Bushfire clean-up operation are available below.
If you have been notified that your property is safe to return we recommend you read the Building Commission booklet titled - A guide to a safe return to your property. This booklet is available for download on the Building Commission website (external link).
Further information about property and re-building issues is available from the Bushfire Building Advice Line on 1300 360 320 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday.
Information for tenants
Consumer Affairs Victoria have prepared frequently asked questions for tenants affected by the bushfires.
Vist the Consumer Affairs Victoria website (external link).
Bond repayments on bushfire-affected properties
The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) will make a bond repayment to tenants usually within 24 hours of receiving a completed claim form.
Further details from the Consumer Affairs Victoria RTBA website (external link).
Bushfire clean-up operation
A Government led clean-up operation is underway to clear more than 80,000 tons of debris from bushfire-affected properties. Properties are being cleared for free.
The clean-up and demolition operation is voluntary and open to any person who owns property affected by the recent bushfires.
People may register their property as part of the clean-up and demolition program, or may apply for reimbursement if they have already cleared their property.
Further details are available on the Victoria Online website or by calling 1800 136 762.
Rebuilding and Recovery Payment
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund has announced the Rebuilding and Recovery Payment to assist with rebuilding principal places of residence and replacing household contents.
Applications for this payment should be submitted by 31 December 09.
Further information is available from Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund website (external link) or by calling 1800 180 213