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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Wednesday, 10 March 2004) . . Page.. 1011 ..

other community groups on how service delivery progression would best meet the continuing needs of bushfire-affected residents.

From April, we are moving the bushfire recovery process forward. Services that are currently provided by the recovery centre will be integrated into mainstream community and public service agencies as recommended by the taskforce. These agencies will include ACT Health, the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services, Urban Services, ACTPLA, Relationships Australia, Woden Community Services and. Communities @ Work These changes have been well supported by all Community and Expert Reference Group members and represent the next important step in the recovery process. I think it is important and perhaps of interest to members of the Assembly for me to give some indication of who is represented on the Community and Expert Reference Group. The group comprises Mr David Dawes, who currently chairs it; Ms Karla Ries of the Duffy Primary School Parents and Citizens Association; Ms Jo-anne Matthews, a Kambah resident whose home was destroyed; Dr Tony Griffin, a rural SC; Mr Jeff Carl of the Weston Creek Community Council; Ms Catherine Townsend of the Institute of Architects; Mr Peter Malone of Unions ACT; Ms Trish Harrup of the Conservation Council; Mr Daniel Stubbs of the ACT Council of Social Service; Mr Chris Peters of the ACT Chamber of Commerce; Senator Gary Humphries, senator for the ACT; Ms Annette Ellis MP; Ms Wendy Anderson; and Mr Richard Tindale, owner of Canberra zoo. Members of this group advised the government unanimously on the steps and the processes that the government has put in place. The unanimous view of the Community Expert Reference Group was that we now take this next step for the future.

In the past month, in addition to that unanimous advice from the Community Expert Reference Group, the recovery centre has contacted over 1,000 registered households to ask them of their views about progression for the future. They almost all supported this next step in their recovery.

Mr Wood: And that side said there had been no consultation.

MR STANHOPE: Did they? That is part of the consultation the recovery centre has undertaken over the last four months. The recovery centre has contacted over 1,000 registered households. Of course, people are very sad to say goodbye to the centre, because it has been such a source of warmth, comfort and support in most difficult times. But by the same token, those people, those households, are telling the recovery centre that, with the backup of family, friends and community services, they can now manage without a specific bushfire recovery service.

The residual effects of the January 2003 bushfires should not be underestimated. Many people are recovering well, but despite our best efforts some will carry the effects for many years. For the small number of households that still require help, there are four bushfire specific sources of assistance. Firstly, from 5 April there will be a discrete Bushfire Support Unit in the Chief Minister’s department. This will be staffed predominantly by workers from the recovery centre. The unit will have the same phone number as the recovery centre and will provide assistance to those households who continue to need help accessing services, including personal support and advice on rebuilding costs. It will continue to publish Community Update, the highly successful newsletter. Many of the people who have played a role in the bushfire recovery process in the last year will continue to be involved in the provision of services to bushfire-

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