Three and a half months after the State Government appointed Grocon so bushfire clean-up work “can begin immediately”, little has been done.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said that when the Minister made this comment on January 18, it led to expectations the clean-up would be underway in a few weeks.

As of April 1, 620 registrations had been received in East Gippsland, with almost all requiring clean up works - but just 10 sites had been completed.

“Just on a month ago in Parliament I asked for a timeframe from the State Government, due to contact from a number of extremely frustrated property owners.

“What those impacted want is the detail of when they can expect some action, but it isn’t forthcoming and adds to stress levels. At this rate some families will be waiting several more months.

“Some families who lost their homes have been given six months accommodation through their insurance companies and the clock is ticking. Others have been told that if their rebuild is not commenced within 12 months, the policy will be voided.

“My office was also told we would have 21-22 crews working in East Gippsland by the end of March, but it never happened. What I am seeking is some accurate timeframes and information to be able to provide to those families who have lost everything and are in limbo.

“Families can’t look at rebuilding until the sites are cleared, that is the first stage and several hundred are still waiting to be told when they can expect a crew.”

Mr Bull said he had also fielded a number of complaints on non-local contractors being used and this was an issue he had raised with Grocon and Bushfire Recovery Victoria directly.

“For example, I have local contractors who have registered asking me why they are seeing trucks from places like Shepparton and Wangaratta doing jobs they could do.

“The advice I have received is that equipment has to be certified to work at an asbestos removal site and there are many cases where vehicles and equipment from out of town is being operated by locals.”

Mr Bull said that is something he would seek to clarify with Grocon.

Caption: Tim Bull in front of the remains of what was John Kinniburgh’s Sarsfield home.

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has called on all accommodation house operators to “do the right thing” and cancel tourist bookings for the upcoming Easter holiday period.

“It is hard to say this, because we have been pleading for people to come and visit us after the fires and I’ve been at the forefront of that message, but with the Coronavirus threat, it has all changed and we simply don’t want metropolitan tourists this Easter.

“I know businesses are hurting and we generally rely on tourism season to keep our economy ticking over, but the threat is too great,” he said.

Mr Bull said he believed closing roads into the area was not required as this was a matter that could “be handled at this end”.

“If no accommodation house accepts tourist bookings and cancels the ones they have - and camping and caravan parks are closed - there will simply be nowhere for tourists to stay. It’s as simple as that.

“The only people who should be in our accommodation houses are essential services workers, or those in exceptional circumstances (eg bushfire victims or those escaping domestic violence).

“Closing access to East Gippsland via road blocks is problematic for several reasons. There are over a dozen access routes to be monitored and it will tie up critical police resources in what is a busy period for them, enforcing the various regulations that have come into place.

“It would also mean every driver of every vehicle would have to be stopped and interrogated and this would cause massive delays for critical freight deliveries, essential services deliveries and essential services workers, etc. No rural region of Australia has been cut off as yet for the abovementioned reasons.

“In Victoria alone there are many rural areas (about 33) that have had either zero or one case only. What we need to do as a society is to continue to do what we have been doing and band together and do the right thing. If we do the hard yards now, we will be better off in the long run.”

Mr Bull sent an email to all business and tourism associations and chambers of commerce in East Gippsland on Friday following the Prime Minister and Premier’s advice to not holiday this Easter.

“Destination Gippsland pleasingly put out a similar message and I would hope all accommodation houses accept this. It’s a tough call from an economic perspective, but it is the right one.

“People should also bear in mind that for those who undertake non-essential outings there are significant fines for both individuals and businesses.”

Caption: Local MP, Tim Bull, says tourists should not be visiting this Easter and as tough as it is, tourism bookings should be refused by local accommodation houses.

Monday, April 6, 2020

Considerable confusion around the new Coronavirus ‘stay at home’ laws requires a number of grey areas to be clarified, according to Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull.

“Most people just want to do the right thing, but don’t want to risk a fine for undertaking an activity that is illegal and they need more direction than what is being provided,” he said.

“My office has fielded several hundred enquiries from people who want more direction. There remains considerable confusion around certain things only being allowed for ‘exercise’, but then other activities are allowed under ‘recreation’.

“Although we are doing our best, it is very hard to give the public accurate information and justify some other activities over another.

“Last week everyone was told no fishing, hunting or golf as they were non-essential, but then advised swimming and surfing were allowed.

“How is it that you can’t stand on a surf beach with a fishing rod, but you can go for a swim or surf.

“Similarly, you can play a game of tennis or throw basketball hoops, but you can’t play a round of golf by yourself.

“I know these are tough times for government and there are no doubts precautions need to be taken and restrictions put in place, but we need some consistency applied and basic reasoning provided. There is a mental health consideration in all of this,” said Mr Bull.

“It is not helpful when the Premier and Police Minister both insisted couples living apart could not see each other under any circumstances, so you put that out to the community loud and clear – and then the chief health officer says that was wrong, they can see each other.

“This sort of thing is causing a lot of angst in the community.

“The legal directions signed by the government don’t give answers on many of the issues people want detail on and in some cases, are contradicted by the government’s own advice on department websites.

“While the Minister was saying no fishing, the Departmental website was saying it was OK as long as the social distancing rules were applied.

“The Premier has told people to ‘stop looking for loopholes’, but most are not looking for loopholes, they want to know where they stand and what they can and can’t do.”

Mr Bull reinforced that to be on the safe side, if you are unsure, don’t do it.

Monday, April 6, 2020