The mop-up after the February 2014 Mickleham/Kilmore bushfires that raced across Melbourne’s north is being brought into sharp focus.
Victoria’s inspector general for emergency management, Tony Pearce, is speaking to affected residents in Hume about their satisfaction with the state government’s bushfire recovery process.
Calls began last week and the telephone survey continues this week.
“This survey gives residents from communities affected … an opportunity to share their views on how the recovery process has proceeded over the past 18 months,” Mr Pearce said.
Residents are chosen randomly, and are under no obligation to respond to the survey, which takes about 20 minutes.
Questions touch on how satisfied residents were with assistance they received after the bushfires, and the accessibility of essential services and relevant information.
Mr Pearce said any sensitive information would be kept anonymous.
The results will inform Mr Pearce’s report on the state government’s bush fire recovery.
It is hoped it will identify ways to improve communication between emergency management services and the community, and long term recovery processes after a major emergency.
The fire began in Mickleham Road on February 9 and skirted housing estates at Craigieburn before heading north-east. Thousands of livestock were killed, at least 20 properties destroyed, and more than 22,000 hectares was torched.
Mr Pearce’s review is due before the end of the year.
