Johns Lyng Group has been contracted by the Victorian Government to provide clean-up and make-safe works on private properties damaged by storms declared an insurance catastrophe.

Storms last month caused damage in 39 local government areas, particularly hitting the Dandenongs and parts of Gippsland. The Insurance Council of Australia says 20,835 claims have been lodged with losses estimated at $188 million.

The Johns Lyng contract with Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) will be delivered through joint funding of $55.5 million from the federal and state governments.

The initial program may be extended across further work phases, funded separately and encompassing public properties, once a more detailed scope of work is determined.

“Central to our strategy for recovery and make-safe works is engaging with local communities and employing local trades and that’s how we’ll approach this major task,” CEO Scott Didier said today.

“We’ll have dedicated hubs in impacted regions that will act as our base for operations but also serve as community centres for locals to seek support and information as works progress.”