State Labor leader

to visit the region

VICTORIAN Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews will visit
Halls Gap and Stawell today.
Mr Andrews will visit Halls Gap Zoo at 9.30am for a
tour and to help promote tourism in the area in the wake
of the fires.
He will then travel to Stawell, where he will visit the
Stawell bushfire recovery centre in Patrick Street for a
meet and greet with residents, fire-fighters and volunteers.
For more on Mr Andrews’ visit, see the Mail-Times on
Friday.
VR1392868

DEVASTATION: Victorian Premier Denis Napthine and Horsham Mayor David Grimble tour Cr Grimble’s
Brimpaen property on Saturday after fires swept through the area. Cr Grimble’s house was unscathed but
the family lost a large amount of property and stock. Dr Napthine also visited the Horsham Incident Control
Centre on Saturday, where he commended emergency services for the way they had managed fires across
the Wimmera and Mallee. He returned to the region yesterday to visit Halls Gap. He stopped at Brambuk the
National Park and Culture Centre and also walked Halls Gap’s main street. Picture: SAMANTHA CAMARRI

Partnership to
assist victims
By MATT COUGHLAN
A STATE and Federal Government
partnership will provide emergency
relief for bushfire-hit areas of the
Wimmera.
Bushfire Response Minister Kim
Wells said as the damage was further
assessed, people would start to receive
payments and other assistance to help
with the recovery effort.
THANKS: This sign of appreciation appeared at Dadswells Bridge on
“In the coming days we will provide
Saturday. Picture: SAMANTHA CAMARRI
further advice on specific locations
where this assistance will be avail- The relief comes as authorities begin The Victorian Farmers Federation
able as the impact of these bushfires to count the cost of the 51,800-hectare has launched an agistment register to
becomes evident and communities fire that raged through the Grampians help farmers affected by the fires.
begin to return to their homes,” he said. National Park. President Peter Tuohey said the VFF
Mr Wells said natural disaster relief The Department of Environment had a responsibility to help.
and recovery arrangements could and Primary Industries has confirmed “The federation has set up a process
provide emergency relief, emergency the loss of 27 homes, 63 sheds and 203 where farmers can register if they can
re-establishment grants and measures kilometres of fencing. assist by taking some stock on agist-
to assist with emergency accommoda- Livestock losses have also been ment,” he said.
tion, food and clothing, the removal heavy with the department reporting Mr Tuohey said farmers could call
of debris, repairs, rebuilding and the death of 3000 sheep through the 1300 882 833 to register their offer.
replacement of essential household fire-affected areas and another 950 He said information would be
contents. sheep still missing. provided to fire-affected farmers.

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PAGE 4 Wednesday January 22 2014 THE MAIL-TIMES
MEMBER for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has urged Wimmera
residents to remain patient while roads are re-opened fol-
lowing bushfires that began in the region on Wednesday.
Yesterday, VicRoads listed about 15 roads that remained
closed at Laharum, Brimpaen, Dadswells Bridge and in the
Grampians National Park.
“It’s absolutely imperative VicRoads checks the roads
thoroughly to ensure they are safe to drive on,” Mr
Delahunty said.
“Last year we tragically lost two lives when a tree fell
on a vehicle after a fire.
“I know we all want it done and that people need to be
able to get through to their properties – but stick with us.
“I know they’ve got a lot of people working on it and
making it a priority.”
He said people could keep up-to-date with road closures
in the region by visiting www.vicroads.vic.gov.au.
HOME DELIVERY phone 5362 0000