Roads to Marysville to open to locals

(AAP) - Roads to Marysville are expected to open to residents next week, more than a month after the February 7 inferno ripped through the mountain retreat town.

The bushfires killed at least 45 people in the town, and destroyed hundreds of homes
and businesses.
Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority head Christine Nixon said
she understood the search for remains in Marysville was almost complete.
Ms Nixon said she believed the town, which has been declared a crime scene since the
fires, would be reopen to residents soon.
"I think that's a matter of, probably, next week some time," Ms Nixon told AAP.
"But it's very difficult for the Marysville community. It's been much tougher for
them in so many ways, they lost so many people."
It is not known when Marysville will be accessible to the public, Ms Nixon said.
"We're trying to make sure the residents have got some time for themselves," Ms
Nixon said.
Locals in nearby Kinglake have expressed mixed feelings about the removal of
roadblocks to their town, with some still coming to terms with the tragedy while
others say the roadblocks should have been removed long ago.
Kinglake reopened to the public on Tuesday.
More than 20 smaller townships - including the hamlet of Strathewen which lost 43
people from a population of 200 - opened to the public on Tuesday after more than a
month of police roadblocks permitting only local access.
Victoria Police Traffic Inspector Geoff Davey said Marysville was the only area
still occupied by Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) teams.
"There is no police interest in any roadblock anywhere other than Marysville," Insp
Davey said.
"That could change at any time depending on when they decide to open Marysville."