Bushfire clean-up operation - Frequently Asked Questions
Registering your property
Once I have registered, when will my property be cleared?
Current estimates indicate communities will need to clean-up approximately 2029 homes, 11 community buildings, 59 commercial buildings and 2385 agricultural sheds, dairies and machinery.
Because of this, the clean-up and demolition operation is likely to take up to six months with Grocon operating at multiple sites, simultaneously across Victoria.
As people register, Grocon will link in with local communities and deliver a schedule of works.
Grocon will contact you directly when your property is ready for you to visit it.
Register your property as part of the clean-up and demolition program.
How will Grocon decide which properties are to be cleared first?
Once the Coroner with Victoria Police have released a property the site will be assessed for risk. Where required risks, such as burnt gas bottles, dangerous trees or unstable chimneys are on the site, these will be removed.
Once this has happened the property owner will be given a week to visit the property and recover any possessions. After this Grocon will arrange for the site to be cleared by licensed contractors.
The schedule of works will depend on a range of factors including when properties are released by the coroner, when people register, coordination of contractors, weather in different parts of the State and more.
Grocon expects to hire dozens of licensed contractors across the state to deliver a simultaneous clean-up operation and will contact you directly when your property is ready for you to visit it.
Who will let me know when I can return to my property?
Grocon will contact you directly when your property is ready for you to visit it.
If you would like an update before you hear from Grocon you can use the user ID and pin number provided as part of the registration process and call 1800 136 762 for an update.
In the future you will also be able to check the status of your property online.
How long will I have to visit my site once it has been through the second stage assessment process?
Once a site has been assessed and risks have been removed, the owners will have a week to visit their property and recover any remaining possessions.
Claiming reimbursement
Who is eligible for reimbursement?
You are eligible for reimbursement if you completed or started clean-up works prior to 27 February 2009. You will need to supply a receipt from a licensed contractor that indicates this. Please fill in the registration form to register your claim for reimbursement.
People who choose to hire a licensed contractor to clear their property after this date will not be eligible for reimbursement.I have already had my property cleared by a licensed contactor - how can I arranged to be reimbursed?
If you have already had your property cleared by a licensed contactor we ask that you fill in the registration form.
You will be contacted within the week with details on how you can progress your reimbursement.
Register your claim for reimbursement.
I don't have a receipt - how can I be reimbursed?
If your contractor hasn't supplied a receipt we would ask that you get in touch with them and ask that one be supplied.
If you are having difficulty obtaining a receipt please call 1800 136 762 so we can discuss your individual circumstances.
Licensed contractors engaging with Grocon
I am a licensed contractor and would like to apply to work with Grocon - how can I get in touch with them?
Licensed contractors who are interested in taking part in the government funded clean-up and demolition program can email Grocon.
What is a licensed contractor?
Hazardous goods need to be cleared by A and B class removalists. Only a Registered Demolisher (registered with the Building Practitioners Board) may carry out demolition work.
General frequently asked questions
When will the clean up start?
Grocon will deliver the voluntary clean-up and demolition program on behalf of the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments and work is about to get underway.
The key steps of the clean up process are:
- The Coroner with Victoria Police will approve access to the site;
- Site assessment for risk, and removal of risks such as burnt gas bottles, dangerous trees, unstable chimneys will be conducted by a contractor appointed by your local government representative;
- Site owners given an opportunity for a final recovery of any possessions at the site;
- The site will be cleared by licensed contractors.
Does everybody have to participate in the clean up?
The program is voluntary and free of charge for any person who wants their property cleared following recent bushfires.
A small number of people have already engaged licensed contractors and they can apply to have that cost reimbursed.
What if people don't want their property cleared?
This is a voluntary program. Where people want us we are offering to clean-up their site for free. Some people may still choose to hire licensed contractors to clear their property.
It is important that all bushfire affected properties are cleared to a standard that removes any possible public heath or other issues and will be asking property owners who don’t register for this process to clear their property in the next six months.
Where will government dispose of the debris?
Debris will be disposed of in current tipping sites across the State in accordance with current health, safety and environmental controls. All waste disposal will be overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
What towns will you clean up first?
Grocon will be working in multiple towns across the State at any one time.
Sites will initially be cleared according to risk to ensure that hazardous materials, such as asbestos, as removed. The Authority and Grocon will work with local communities to outline the rest of the clean-up and demolition schedule.
