2009 Bushfire response and recovery
Crisis Essential Guide to help tourism operators this bushfire season
On October 14th 2009 the Victorian Government launched a guide for tourism businesses to assist in preparing, responding and recovering from events like bushfires.
The then Premier John Brumby, Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding and Police and Emergency Services Minister Bob Cameron launched the Crisis Essentials Guide in Aireys Inlet as part of Fire Action Week. Download your copy here, or visit www.tourism.vic.gov.au.
The guide provides advice and information to tourism operators including:
- How to identify, assess and manage risks;
- Information on developing a brief plan that outlines how to respond in an emergency or bushfire situation; and
- Information on the importance and best ways to communicate with existing and potential customers.
- How to ensure business continuity immediately following an emergency situation.
To assist you with preparation and planning the CFA's Fire Danger Rating Brochure is available to download here and from http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/.
$10 million for tourism bushfire recovery
The Australian and Victorian Governments have provided a $10 million Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry Support Package to assist regions economically affected by the 2009 bushfires.
The package provided $3 million for the enhancement and redevelopment of tourism infrastructure, $1 million to support regional events and $6 million for marketing of the bushfire affected areas.
The Victorian Bushfire Tourism Industry Support Package has provided:
- $2.2 million for Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges marketing
- $1.5 million for High Country/Australian Alps marketing
- $1.5 million for Gippsland marketing
- $600,000 for Murrindindi marketing
- $100,000 for Goldfields marketing
- $100,000 for Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges marketing
- $50,000 for Grampians marketing
- $50,000 for outdoor education
- $30,000 for the Australian Alps Mapping Project
High Country Marketing
North East Victoria Tourism, in conjunction with the regional High Country Bushfire Response and Recovery Committee, has developed a Bushfire Recovery Strategic Plan which has been signed off by the National Bushfire Taskforce. 2009 / 2011 recovery marketing activities are well under way.
This strategy takes into account and aligns itself with the following documents:
- NEVTi Regional Marketing Plan 2009-12 (pending)
- Regional Tourism Action Plan (Tourism Victoria)
- Victorian Alpine resorts Nature Based Tourism Strategy 2009 (BART)
- Australian Alps National Landscapes Master Plan (pending)
The strategy outlines how recovery funding will be utilised to provide support and business development that will allow our region and industry to rebuild from this natural disaster. It also hopes to support industry through the current global financial crisis by supporting new initiatives and emerging products to establish themselves in the marketplace.
It is part of North East Victoria Tourism Inc's role to assist in our region's response to, and recovery from, this natural disaster. NEVT is working closely with Tourism Victoria and industry in our region to coordinate effective recovery strategies and initiatives. NEVT will coordinate the implementation of the High Country Bushfire Recovery Strategy.
High Country Bushfire Response & Recovery Committee
The High Country Bushfire Response and Recovery Group (HCBRRG) has been in place since February 2009. The Group was made up of key stakeholders from industry and local government across the High Country and was charged with developing a strategy that will enable the tourism industry of North East Victoria to recuperate from the tragic bushfires in that year. In 2011, the new NEVT Board will take on this role and coordinate a permanent Tourism Crisis Response & Recovery Group made up of industry represenatives to deal with all types of crisis communications, preparedness, response and recovery.
Keep informed
Visit Tourism Victoria's corporate website for the latest information and useful links regarding crisis recovery and response.
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