TRADIES are ready and willing to rebuild the Tasmanian communities that have been devastated by bushfires.
More than 100 properties have already been destroyed by major fires that continue to burn parts of the state including Bicheno.
Tradesmen of all kinds _ including builders, carpenters and plumbers _ are pledging to help rebuild and repair towns like Dunalley, where half of the buildings were lost.
Both the Housing Industry Association and Master Builders Association have already offered their assistance to the state government.
Both believe the state has enough workers and material to handle the crisis due to a recent downturn in the building industry.
MBA state executive director Michael Kerschbaum said 1000 fewer homes were built in Tasmania last year.
``I don't think the industry will have a problem coping with the building works that will be required, but that's assuming it doesn't get any worse,'' Mr Kerschbaum said.
``Hopefully, people will also stay where they are and want to rebuild.''
One of his 500 members is among the Tasmanians who have lost their homes in the fires.
HIA state executive director Stuart Clues said he had asked the association's 2000 members to register their interest in helping.
``Our members are ready, willing and available to provide assistance,'' Mr Clues said.
``But we want to make sure that resources are allocated where they are most needed. Our members, like most of the community, are pretty keen to help, and the main thing is to do that in a co-ordinated way so the government doesn't get a flood of calls.''
An interim committee has been set up to oversee the state's recovery comprising Premier Lara Giddings, Deputy Premier Bryan Green, Police and Emergency Management Minister David O'Byrne, Acting Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard and Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Rhys Edwards.
Ms Giddings said the committee would work hand-in-hand with bushfire-affected communities in working out how best to rebuild.
``Communities have been ravaged by fire. They have lost services, facilities, infrastructure as well as homes and land,'' she said.
``The Interim Bushfire Recovery Committee will oversee these efforts ahead of a longer term Bushfire Recovery Taskforce; the details of which I intend to announce as soon as possible.''
Ms Giddings said the most immediate priority was continuing to fight fires that posed a threat to lives and property.
