I’ve written in recent weeks about the bushfires in Little Desert and Grampians National Parks and at the time of writing this column on Wednesday, much of the eastern section of Little Desert south of Nhill was a declared fireground and a fire had flared in the western section south-west of Kaniva leading to the border.

Every time I speak about bushfires, I will never tire of saying how grateful I am for our Country Fire Authority volunteers and organisation, State Emergency Service volunteers and Forest Fire Management Victoria workers, the farmers with their personal firefighting units and the many others who selflessly put their lives and even property on the line to protect others and their community.  With so much negativity in the national media, I uphold the Australian spirit demonstrated by the bravery and sacrifice of Australia’s volunteer firefighters. If you are able, consider volunteering.

The Grampians National Park fires are still having a painful effect on the Halls Gap community as they battle away without much needed tourism since Christmas – New Year.  The flare-up at Little Desert destroyed the Little Desert Nature Lodge and disconnected Dimboola from tourists and through-traffic during the Australia Day long weekend.  Nature and fire can be cruel, with no regard for timing and economic impact.

In Halls Gap alone estimates are that the town, collectively, lost $13 million in earnings and a further conservative estimate of $19 million in economic impact will befall that area alone.  If you look at worse-case scenarios and apply them to Kaniva, Dimboola, Nhill, the Grampians and Wimmera region – we need help.  The Victorian Government has not helped by dragging its feet on applying for vital Commonwealth ‘Category D’ exceptional circumstances funding for businesses that lost trade during the fires.

That’s why I’ve approached the Member for Wannon to our south, Dan Tehan MP, and we have tabled a motion for debate next Tuesday urging the Victorian Government to get its act together and for all Governments to fund a marketing package to visit the Grampians.  

We desperately need it.  

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