HUNDREDS of people in the worst-affected zones are committing to rebuild after Black Saturday, new figures show.

But progress is patchy in some areas, and statistics reinforce that it will be many years before the destruction is close to being repaired, the Herald Sun reports.

Just under 300 rebuilding permits have been issued for houses, sheds and commercial properties in Marysville and the surrounding triangle.

Locals believe as few as 50 houses are actually being rebuilt in Marysville while many permits are probably for sheds.

But progress was always going to be slow, with the rebuilding process arduous for many - particularly those who lost family or can't decide whether to face the risk of any disaster.

In the Kinglake Ranges, taking in Kinglake, Pheasant Creek and Toolangi, 361 building permits have been sought. There were 505 properties destroyed there on February 7.

Like Marysville, rebuilding is patchy, with the worst-affected areas showing little signs of widespread renewal.

This could be as simple - and sad - as the fact so many people died in some streets and roads.

At Flowerdale, just down the road from Kinglake, there seems much building activity.

There were 117 permits sought for Flowerdale and its sister hamlet, Hazeldene, compared with the 225 properties destroyed.

For more go to the Herald Sun.