A CORRYONG caravan park manager whose facility was totally destroyed by bushfire has described a $500,000 state government grant to a nearby park as another "kick in the guts" on the road to recovery. Mt Mittamatite Caravan Park was among the hardest hit by the New Year's Eve blaze with camp sites, cabins, toilet block and cleaning shed among the carnage. Manager Stuart Spratt, who had only taken over the park in the lead-up to Christmas, spent $22,000 on a clean-up before the announcement the federal and state government would jointly bankroll a program to demolish, remove and dispose of buildings destroyed or damaged beyond repair irrespective of whether they were insured. Attempts to be reimbursed have hit a stumbling block, but his frustration reached boiling point this week when the nearby Towong Shire-owned Colac Colac caravan park receiving funding for a redevelopment. "All they had was a bit of business interruption when people weren't allowed to come up here," Mr Spratt said. "Our place has been absolutely gutted by fire and we had to get in early and clean it up because it wasn't safe. "But we're struggling to get the government contractors in for the clean-up let alone trying to get government grants." Mr Spratt said he faced a six-month rebuild of the park with restoration of power to the camping ground estimated to cost more than $200,000. The park is booked out for the upcoming Man From Snowy River Bush Festival with interim arrangements including hiring toilets, showers and generator being investigated. "If we can't have anyone here that is 150 people looking for somewhere else to go and we take another hit," he said. Benambra MP Bill Tilley said too many people were falling through the cracks. "Despite all the rhetoric and press releases, we are seeing too many examples like this of businesses, farmers and individuals facing massive challenges," he said. "I've got a long list I'm taking to Melbourne next week and hopefully we can get some action for these people including the caravan park."
The Mt Mittamatite Caravan Park on the edge of Corryong suffered major damage in the New Year's Eve fire.
A CORRYONG caravan park manager whose facility was totally destroyed by bushfire has described a $500,000 state government grant to a nearby park as another "kick in the guts" on the road to recovery.
Mt Mittamatite Caravan Park was among the hardest hit by the New Year's Eve blaze with camp sites, cabins, toilet block and cleaning shed among the carnage.
Manager Stuart Spratt, who had only taken over the park in the lead-up to Christmas, spent $22,000 on a clean-up before the announcement the federal and state government would jointly bankroll a program to demolish, remove and dispose of buildings destroyed or damaged beyond repair irrespective of whether they were insured.
"All they had was a bit of business interruption when people weren't allowed to come up here," Mr Spratt said.
"Our place has been absolutely gutted by fire and we had to get in early and clean it up because it wasn't safe.
"But we're struggling to get the government contractors in for the clean-up let alone trying to get government grants."
Mr Spratt said he faced a six-month rebuild of the park with restoration of power to the camping ground estimated to cost more than $200,000.
The park is booked out for the upcoming Man From Snowy River Bush Festival with interim arrangements including hiring toilets, showers and generator being investigated.
"If we can't have anyone here that is 150 people looking for somewhere else to go and we take another hit," he said.
Benambra MP Bill Tilley said too many people were falling through the cracks.
"Despite all the rhetoric and press releases, we are seeing too many examples like this of businesses, farmers and individuals facing massive challenges," he said.
"I've got a long list I'm taking to Melbourne next week and hopefully we can get some action for these people including the caravan park."
