Recovery work following the Victorian bushfires is more than two months ahead of schedule, with more than 2000 properties now cleared of debris.

Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority Head Christine Nixon says the clean-up is expected to finish by early next month, well ahead of an earlier estimate of September.

Some 2922 properties registered for the joint federal-state government-funded voluntary clean-up program, which is managed by construction company Grocon on behalf of the Victorian Government.

“It’s fantastic that the clean-up is progressing well, so that affected communities can start getting on with the job of rebuilding,” Ms Nixon said.

Almost 700 people are employed in the clean-up work. Construction of replacement housing is now under way in Bendigo, Boolarra and Horsham.

Insurers received 10,040 claims following the devastating February bushfires, with insured losses of $1.07 billion.