Residents around the Wartook Valley, St Helens Plains and Roses Gap areas will continue to return to their homes over the coming days as emergency services assess damage and remove fallen and dangerous trees.
Incident Controller Mark Gunning said a number of Grampians communities had been devastated by the fires with the total number of houses lost now 27.
“All up about 90 structures have been impacted by this fire, however, we’re still working through the detail to distinguish between houses, sheds and other properties,” he said.
“While there has been some fantastic work done by emergency services crews to contain this fire, we need to keep in mind that there are many residents who have been affected by this fire, some who have lost their homes.
“This is a difficult time for these residents and now, moving in to the recovery stage we will ensure we can do all we can to help them and local businesses get back on their feet.”
Yesterday around 100 people attended a community meeting at Pomonal with another community meeting to be held at 2.00pm today at Laharum Hall in Northern Grampians Road.
A Recovery Centre is operating in Stawell at Grampians Community Health, 8 Patrick Street, from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday.
Powercor is still working to restore services to some residents around Zumsteins and the Wartook Valley and boil water notices remain in place for Halls Gap and Pomonal until further notice.
Mr Gunning said the Grampians community was also welcoming visitors to return to the area including Halls Gap, Dunkeld, Laharum, Dadswell’s Bridge, Pomonal and other tourist areas.
Many roads and campgrounds inside the park are open including the Grampians Tourist Road south of Halls Gap, roads to the east of Grampians Tourist Road, Mt Abrupt to Jimmy Creek Campground, the road to Silverband Falls.
Walks open to visitors include the Venus Baths, Fyans Creek Loop, Boronia Peak, Mt Abrupt and Mt Sturgeon.
The situation is being constantly reviewed and areas will be opened as soon as they are declared safe. Visit www.parks.vic.gov.au to for the latest information.
