THE Opposition Leader John Pesutto visited Mirboo North on Friday saying that the town needed more than just a “flying visit” to help it through what was likely to be many months, if not years of recovery.
And he pledged to do what he could to see that the town and the community got what it needed, immediately, and in the longer term.
Speaking outside the Mirboo North Swimming Pool, where he assessed the damage with South Gippsland Shire Recreation Officer Ian Murphy together with state MPs Danny O’Brien, Melina Bath and Renee Heath, he said the determination and resilience of the Mirboo North people was a fine example of the Australian spirit.
· Can you tell me your observations on the damage that you’ve observed today.
“The damage has been heartbreaking for so many families and organisations here in Mirboo North,” Mr Pesutto said.
“I think everybody is shocked when you come into the town and just see the path of destruction that the storm created.
“So, it's very extensive and will take many, many months, maybe even years for a full cleanup and then replanting in many cases, to occur.
“There are many hazards which remain but what strikes me more than the extent of the damage is the level of resilience and that strength of local character that's come through in the people we've met, whether it was Libby, Peter and Paul we met or Damien and Jasmine and their young daughter, Rosie, whether it was Brad, working with his colleagues, Rowan and Lesley; really resilient people who demonstrate what's great about our country in our state.”
· So, tell me a little bit about a couple of examples, perhaps of what sort of resilience you've seen?
“Just a determined demeanour get on with the job of the cleanup. Not let it break them. Yes, people are upset and absolutely, but what gives you that level of confidence that this local community will come through and come through strongly is that I've seen people take leave from their jobs to help.
“I met a worker with Saputo a little while ago, he's taken time off so he can help some friends clean up their property; his property isn't affected, and that's a beautiful story of friendship and people coming together at the hardest of times.”
· Tell me as Opposition Leader what it is you'd like to see from the government in terms of assisting the community here and other storm-hit locations around the area.
“For all communities that have been affected by this week's storms, and fires for that matter, we need urgent levels of support, and we need to understand that a little level is not enough. There are people who are encountering all sorts of out-of-pocket costs, so we need to make sure that all of the dangers which remain are addressed because we've got many trees that are hazardous. Even if they are standing upright, they may well possess hazards for residents and people in the local community. So, we need to make sure that work is being done urgently and that there's a plan for debris, in whatever way it's used, that contractors are engaged without delay.
“We can't just come this week, pay a flying visit and think that does the trick. These communities, in particular the community of Mirboo North is going to need ongoing support with the cleanup, restoration and then replanting, in the case of vegetation that they’ve lost, beautiful vegetation that's been lost. That will need to take place over many weeks and many months.”
