By JESSE GRAHAM
UPPER Yarra towns are set to improve their bushfire resilience and build stronger, emergency-ready communities following a $110,000 funding announcement last week.
The funding was announced on Friday 17 January by Gemrbook MP Brad Battin and will go to the Yarra Ranges Council to implement Project 3799.
The project is aimed at Warburton, Powelltown and areas in the 3799 postcode, with the aim of creating strong emergency management plans.
O’Shannassay Ward councillor Jim Child accepted the funding on behalf of the council and said that last week’s heatwave was a timely reminder of the importance of being prepared for emergencies.
He said that when the area’s firefighters are combating fires, for example, the community members must be resilient and able to enact the plans that are in place.
“When you look at the emergency rating that just Warburton has with fire prediction ratings, it’s the most dangerous area to be living in with these types of situations,” Cr Child said.
“The money will be well spent in the 3799 area – we will create emergency management plans to identify disasters – not only bushfires.”
He said the money would be used to employ a project officer to work with 3799 communities and help them to develop community-tailored emergency management plans.
Cr Child said these plans would be created by developing risk mitigation strategies, addressing issues such as communications blackspots and identifying shelter in the area.
Emergency management plans could cover any situation from bushfires to pandemics and even floods, should the Upper Yarra Reservoir’s wall breach.
“It’s for communities to be well-informed,” Cr Child said.
Cr Child thanked the Victorian Government for its support of Project 3799.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin’s office was contacted for comment, but failed to respond by deadline.
