Mayor's Message 16 February 2024

Hi everyone, 

If ever we needed a reminder of the unpredictability of the weather, it’s been this week. Bushfires in the west and devastating storms in the south have left a trail of destruction. 

With extreme weather events becoming more and more frequent, it is so important that we all have a plan of what we’re going to do in the face of an emergency. 

This week, we launched The First 72 Hours campaign, which will see Council run a series of workshops, designed to educate community members about their responsibilities in an emergency and how they can be prepared. Thanks to grant funding from Emergency Recovery Victoria, these free workshops will be rolled out across the Shire in 14 locations, and online, between March and October, and I urge you all to attend one. 

The workshops aim to help individuals and community groups plan to ensure their own needs can be met if emergency services are unable to provide necessities such as food, water and shelter in the first three days of an emergency event and it really does get you thinking – what would I do? 

As a mum of young children, there is so much to consider – where would we go if we decided to evacuate? What would be our trigger to go? What medications do we need? What food? What is our contingency plan if the roads are closed? Do I know what items Jack and Elsie love the most so that I can ensure we have them with us? Have I considered my neighbours and my pets?  

Rather than trying to work all of this out in the midst of an emergency, or as one emerges, having a comprehensive plan, with everything documented, is at its most valuable, lifesaving, but it will also ensure less panic, stress and trauma when successfully activated. 

It’s a frightening subject but if we’ve learned anything from the Black Summer fires and the storms and flooding of 2022, if we are better prepared, the better our chances, and the community’s, of recovery. 

Book your spot at one the workshops by clicking this link.

Stay safe,