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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Friday, 14 May 2004) . . Page.. 2014 ..

The government continues to provide the services of the recovery centre in a form that is visible and easily accessible to the clients of the centre. Of course we were all sad to see the doors to the recovery centre close; it’s been such a source of comfort and support. But members will be pleased to hear that people who need assistance are locating that assistance in their communities or from the Bushfire Support Unit established in my department on 5 April.

The Bushfire Support Unit staff were all formerly involved in the provision of bushfire recovery services. The unit is managed by Chris Healy, who has been the Director of Community Support for the Bushfire Recovery Taskforce since February 2003. The unit consists of six equivalent full-time staff, all of whom are skilled professionals experienced in the recovery program. Staffing arrangements will continue to adapt to service needs during the remainder of this year.

The report on the progress of bushfire recovery service transitional arrangements indicates that services provided at the recovery centre have been successfully transferred to the Bushfire Support Unit. Concerns held by some members of the Assembly that bushfire-affected people would not find the unit have not been realised.

On 30 March 2004, the recovery centre invited all its clients to an open house. Around 100 community members attended to thank recovery workers, view the recovery story display and discuss future support arrangements. The centre received many messages of thanks and best wishes over its final weeks. The open house event allowed a transition and closure process which was positive for many clients in attendance.

The Bushfire Support Unit commenced operation on Monday, 5 April and is located on the ground floor of the ActewAGL building on London Circuit. This location was widely advertised in the special bushfire recovery advertisements each Saturday in the Canberra Times and in Community Update.

The report I’m tabling today was to be tabled on 6 May, the last scheduled sitting day in May. By late April, as the report indicates, 80 bushfire affected people had contacted the Bushfire Support Unit seeking information, support or assistance. A total of 144 bushfire-affected people have now been in contact with recovery workers at the unit. Recovery workers will continue to respond to all requests for assistance and will continue to work in partnership with community agencies to support bushfire-affected households. The unit is paying special attention to those households still working through rebuilding options, the rural communities and those still struggling with the emotional impacts of the fires. One bushfire recovery worker for the support unit is based at the ACT Planning and Land Authority, working with ACTPLA staff to assist households through the complexities of rebuilding.

Counselling services remain in place. ACT Health and Relationships Australia are continuing to provide specialist bushfire recovery counselling information to health service locations at Phillip Health Centre and Civic. Appointments are made through the Bushfire Support Unit.

The Bushfire Support Unit is maintaining regular contact with the residents groups from each of the affected areas and with the Community and Expert Reference Group. The

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