Having a say on future projects, from left, Ellen Whelan, Karen Kisalla, Zoe Cato and Val Owen.
By Kath Gannaway
LINKING communities emerged as a theme at a public meeting in Healesville last week aimed at identifying priorities for bushfire funding.
More than 40 people stayed on for the meeting having had their say at a previous session on the design of a new entry statement for the town.
Maria Romanin, well known for her role as manager of Swinburne TAFE and involvement in Healesville community groups, organised the meeting in her new role as Community Engagement co-ordinator with the Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority (VBBRA).
VBBRA has funds available from the Bushfire Fund as well as through State and Federal government and business.
“We want your knowledge, and your input as a community,” Ms Romanin said.
The meeting was asked to address priorities for business as well as for the broader community and to look at both infrastructure and services.
Some of the issues raised included bushfire education and training, support for local welfare agencies that have had increased demand in the past six months and alternative delivery of counselling services to make them more accessible. Also discussed were a meeting place for Chum Creek residents, sport infrastructure – noting that sports clubs provide a strong community connectedness for many families, support for businesses to develop a plan ahead of the coming fire season, a notice board to connect volunteers and goods with people needing assistance.
Among 10 main projects identified were trails linking Chum Creek to Healesville, support through social events, more accessible counselling services and better communication.
The identified projects will be presented to VBBRA for consideration. The Healesville meeting was the first of four in Yarra Ranges’ fire-affected communities. Meetings are planned for the Steels Creek, Yarra Glen and Dixons Creek communities.
