Architect to design homes for Vic towns

A government architect will design off-the-shelf plans for bushfire-compliant homes as two Victorian towns rebuild after fires.

A $2.75 million government package will help clean up Wye River and Separation Creek after 116 homes were destroyed in the Great Ocean Road towns by a bushfire on Christmas Day.

A one-stop shop will be set up for locals to get advice on rebuilding, as Victoria introduced strict rules for building in bushfires after Black Saturday in 2009.

"The government architect will also be designing a few houses that people could take off the shelf, and a number of people indicated they were really interested in that because they didn't need to use architects," Environment Minister Lisa Neville told reporters on Monday.

"This is about trying to offset some of the costs but most importantly making it really simple."

Ms Neville said residents at a community meeting in Wye River on Sunday understood the need for bushfire-compliant homes to replace the shacks that had burned.

Building company Grocon will oversee the demolition and clean-up of fire-affected homes, just as it did after Black Saturday.

Acting Premier James Merlino said the government would inject $1 million to support locally identified events and community groups to help drive the economic recovery in the towns.

Victoria will also contribute $500,000 for water pipes and pumps at the Wye River Foreshore, walking paths and camping amenities.

A further $400,000 will support business mentoring, advertising, marketing and events.