Where to now for MADRA?
The MADRA committee has been up and running for two years now. Where to next?
In the lead up to an August AGM, we’ll be holding a community meeting in July (dates TBC). Before the July meeting, we’ll be working on options for our future direction and the pros and cons of each. This work will be presented at the July meeting.
Potential options are:
Business as usual – MADRA’s work as a voice for our community continues as is.
A change of direction – A change of direction would need to be agreed to by MADRA members and our Rules of Incorporation revised and approved at the AGM.
MADRA winds up.
Before making any decisions, we need to consider a few things:
Is there still an appetite for a bushfire recovery voice? If so, who is willing to stand for the committee? We encourage young people to have a say in their future.
What recovery work is still underway? Housing and fuel management are top priorities but not the only ones. MADRA’s ongoing advocacy and direct links to government have played a big role in our recovery successes. Without MADRA, unfinished recovery business will be left in the hands of government agencies which may have different priorities and views.
The results of the 2021 census are due out shortly. For the first time, we’ll have pre and post bushfire statistics for our district. This is important as the data guides the types of recovery services and infrastructure we need. • How have other communities fared after disaster and what can we learn from their recovery experiences? For example, how are communities affected by the 2009 Black Saturday fires faring? Over a decade on, their recovery and rebuilding stories are ongoing. '
What will be the impact of recent political changes? For example, future recovery funding?
Your thoughts on MADRA’s future direction are important. If you have ideas about what MADRA might look like going forward, please can contact us via email: madra.3892@gmail.com or drop a note into one of our suggestion boxes located outside the Mallacoota Post Office in Maurice Ave and the Genoa Pub.
Meantime, it’s business as usual for the MADRA committee. We continue working on recovery projects and issues where having a community voice is important and our advocacy is needed. We’re concentrating on ongoing housing issues; the delays and escalating costs of rebuilding, social housing, and the need for a longer-term housing strategy. Fuel management continues to be a major area of concern in our district and for MADRA. The work of the Fuel Management Group has proven to be invaluable in addressing these complex issues in a collaborative and practical manner.
Work is underway on an update of our Recovery Plan which will be published shortly.
We are concerned about the future of the Hub due to changes in Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) which may impact ongoing services and support. We’re in discussions with the relevant agencies.
Another Connect and Share dinner is being planned for June/July.
Our connection as a community is so important. We’d like to acknowledge the work of Coota Gathers, Halls and Rec and the team at the Muddie, the Wilderness Workspace, Reclink, the Red Cross, EGSC and Connect Well in bringing our communities together.