Marysville resident Anne Thompson with Ted Baillieu and Mike Laker at the meeting last week.
By Melissa Meehan
SEVENTEEN months since bushfires razed the town of Marysville, some residents are tired of red tape slowing their move to recovery.
More than 40 residents met with State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu and Liberal candidate for Seymour Mike Laker last week to share their concerns.
Both men said residents told of the frustration bought on by bureaucrats that continues a trend to an uncertain future for many local businesses and residents.
“It is a common thread that I hear from many businesses and residents in the area.
“Each person has a series of issues and when you step back they all relate to a State Government out of touch with the people and needs of the area,” Mr Laker said. During the meeting residents said they needed a pub and conference centre to get tourists back into the area and one lady spoke of her concerns where accommodation plans were drawn up, submitted and then rejected.
Mr Baillieu told residents that the concerns are not isolated to just Marysville and surrounds but similar concerns had been relayed to him recently by businesses in Kinglake West.
State Government spokesman Chris Owner said people would recover and rebuild at their own pace, according to their circumstances. “Some have started the process of rebuilding; others are still making decisions about their future,” he said.
“Marysville was virtually destroyed by those tragic fires and its recovery will take some time.
“Our Government’s focus is on working with communities as they recover, unlike the Opposition that has done nothing but talk down the recovery effort.”
