TWO kilometres out of Marysville, a temporary village is playing a key role in the area's recovery.

More than 100 people who lost their homes now live there, on low-rent leases. It's a roof over their heads and offers breathing space to reclaim their lives in the local community.

Built on a christian group campsite, the village is a small township of more than 40 portable houses, most self-contained and all with power and water.

A further 10 two-bedroom shacks are on the way.

There's a playground and a tool "library". A communal hall with kitchens is in train. Grass and paving are being laid, roads built. Government aid can be accessed on site.

A driving force has been construction manager, Kim Wilkie, a former federal Labor MP from Western Australia who answered the call from local MP Fran Bailey to help.

"Without him, we'd never have made the progress we have," says the Uniting Church's Brian Aplin, who manages the village.

Volunteers have come from all over Australia to help. Many locals, some of whom lost homes, have also chipped in.

Local Rotary Clubs donated the playground, the Lions Club runs the tool library, Anglican and Catholic churches are donating equipment for the new hall.

WA mining magnate Andrew Forrest sent 10 mining shacks on trucks provided by the Fox family. Austral has donated 7000 pavers, Blue Scope Steel $1 million of steel, and Ikea, furniture.

Jamie Fiske has just moved into a two-bedroom shack with her daughter after shifting interstate for a time after the fires.

"It's very comfortable," she said. She has plans for a garden.

Despite the trauma of the fire, Jamie's committed to staying in Marysville, looking to rent initially then buy.

"The place I was renting burnt down, and my parents' place where I grew up was also lost," she said.

"There's a lot missing, but the community's held together well. I'm here for the long haul."