In response to a number of community consultation meetings, Yarra Ranges council has announced a number of initiatives aimed at improving post-storm recovery.
In partnership with emergency services and state government, council held a number of Storm Recovery Meetings earlier this month to provide an update on storm and flood recovery and hear community concerns.
As a result, council recently announced it is working with state government relief and recovery agencies to provide a co-ordinated response to the storm. A motion was passed at a recent council meeting to have council officers write to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Daniel Andrews and numerous senators requesting further assistance for the Dandenong Ranges.
Council assures it is committed to community safety and supporting businesses and will be working closely with businesses to assist recovery. It will also be working with Partners in Wellbeing to provide Yarra Ranges business owners with personal support, financial counselling and business advisory services.
Having visited Monbulk, Upwey, Healesville and Yarra Junction, council officers heard numerous stories of hardship and struggle, taking the opportunity to listen to business owners express what support is needed.
Frustrated and storm-battered residents expressed frustration at business losses, having already suffered 15 months of coronavirus restrictions and lockdowns.
Telecommunications issues were also heavily discussed, many business owners expressing how they were unable to receive emergency information and were unable to trade due to communications infrastructure being down.
Some things residents raised/requested were:
– Businesses be provided with more accurate timing for road access.
– Township specific resourcing for future emergency events.
– Promoting stories of local businesses and what they’ve done to support community during the initial relief and response activities
during the storm and floods.
– Converting a mobile library to an information centre during emergency events.
– Communities will need support throughout recovery but especially when the landscape of each town begins to change – people have
an emotional connection with country and the trees, when the impact of the storm becomes more visible community will react
differently.
As a result of many suggestions and frustrations, council have vowed to establish Community Recovery Committees that will help individuals and communities, including businesses, recover from the impacts of the storm and Covid-19.
Council have also said they will continue to provide the community with relevant and updated information as storm-recovery continues, and will also advocate for better telecommunications infrastructure to mitigate black spots.
If you or someone you love was impacted by the storm and needs help, please call 1300 368 333
