The Buchan Caves Reserve will receive $2 million as part of a $10 million announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews and Emergency Services Minister, Lisa Neville, at the iconic Buchan Caves yesterday.
The $10m is divided between the North East and East Gippsland, with $8.5 million released from the new Bushfire Tourism and Business Fund.
Premier Andrews said the $2 million was to “repair, rebuild but also to go beyond”.
“We’re not just about rebuilding and repairing, we’re about doing that and making bushfire-affected communities even stronger, even more resilient, even better for the future,” he said.
“There will be many more announcements, this is just the latest example”.
Buchan Caves Hotel publican, Greg Brick, knew nothing of the premier being in town and once told of the announcement, the usually verbose Mr Brick sounded a little dumbfounded.
“That’s great,” Mr Brick said.
“The government is going to fund its own asset.
“At what point will they put money towards the indirectly fire-affected businesses? Whether its for farmers or shops or pubs?
“The government was going to fix up the caves anyway. I just find that amazing.”
The government expects the $10m fund to create more than 260 jobs and unlock more than $120 million in private investment.
As part of the funding, the abalone fisherman’s cooperative in Mallacoota received $300,000 towards a new sprinkler system; the Paynesville Foreshore and Boardwalk, $250,000 towards a new masterplan, while the High Country will receive $500,000 to improve visitor facilities in the Alpine region through the Dinner Plain Activation Project.
The announcement brings the State Government spend to more than $270 million to help bushfire-affected communities recover and rebuild.
However, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is up in arms, labelling the announcement as “totally underwhelming and insignificant”.
“When you break it down, we got funds for a master plan, a sprinkler system and works at Buchan they needed to do anyway – it’s very disappointing,” Mr Bull said.
Labor party member stayed in Lakes Entrance for the Caucus Conference yesterday, an event run a couple of times a year.
“We were expecting big things,” Mr Bull said.
“But it’s just scraps off the table and reeks of a government that’s prepared to invest billions upon billions in the city and ignore the bush in a time of need.
“Locals were hoping for a large fund dedicated to bushfireimpacted regions – as NSW has done with its $1 billion – but we get basically nothing. There is nothing for Lakes Entrance, nothing for Metung, nothing for Orbost or many other impacted towns and still no direct support for business.”
Parks Victoria East Gippsland district manager, Will McCutcheon, said the funding was very much appreciated and that they hoped to have the caves open by Easter but the electrics inside the caves had to be reviewed.
Also, air quality inside the caves had to be tested.
IMAGE: Premier Daniel Andrews, Minister for Emercency Services, Lisa Neville, GLaWAC acting chief executive officer, Daniel Miller, Member for Eastern Victoria, Jane Garrett, with Parks Victoria East Gippsland district manager, Will McCutcheon, rear the Royal Cave entrance at Buchan yesterday. K183-2474
