MADRA July 2023 News
Barriers to rebuilding
A reminder that MADRA, supported by EGSC, is currently undertaking a consultation process to better appreciate the barriers that people may be experiencing in starting or completing rebuilding after the 2019/20 bushfires. Information provided will assist us in tailoring possible solutions to these barriers and to advocate on your behalf, enabling you to take the next steps in your rebuilding process.
Total loss residents should have received a letter outlining the details of the study and an invitation to participate either by email or in the post. If you feel up to it, we encourage you to return the expression of interest and consent form to MADRA or BushfireRecoveryContactCentre@egipps.vic.gov.au as soon as possible.
RediCommunities
A huge group of community members and emergency services personnel filled the Community Clubrooms on 29 June for Day 2 of RediCommunities – the resilience and preparedness program run by the Australian Red Cross. Opportunities, vulnerabilities and ideas for improved resilience and preparedness for our community were considered.
Emergency services personnel from East Gippsland Shire Council, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, DEECA, SES, CFA, NBN, Telstra and others took part in an Emergency Services Panel where they spoke to community members about how they help before, during and after emergencies and how they work together to provide coordinated responses to all manner of emergencies, large and small.
Keep an eye out for the full RediCommunities report in your MADRA email soon.
Tool Library and community storage
Mallacoota’s Tool Library has become a valued community resource and is now in need of a new home due to the end of the current arrangement with the Shire. Funding has been secured to build a shed to house the library if a suitable location can be agreed upon.
In addition to this, more storage space is needed for the equipment and resources used by community groups. We’re conducting an audit of storage needs and the space that is currently available for all groups and clubs.
MADRA, in conjunction with the Halls and Recreation Committee and EGSC, is exploring options for a location for both the Tool Library and community storage. We are excitedly looking forward to an update from the Shire this week. Stay Tuned, Folks!
Also on the go ...
MADRA will meet with Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp and representatives from relevant agencies on the 20th of July. This will be a follow-up to the constructive meeting we had earlier this year with these agencies and Emergency Management Victoria. We’re looking forward to discussing progress on some of the local issues that MADRA first raised with Emergency Management Victoria in 2021. We’ll keep you posted.
The three sites set aside for social and affordable housing through MADRA’s advocacy with Homes Vic are now well advanced through the various stages of permits and planning. We should see some of the housing completed by the end of the year and the remaining homes built in the first half of 2024.
Work on re-opening the Pittosporum Walk from Devlin’s Gully to Bastion Point continues and in the meantime, the damaged boardwalk at Devlin’s beach has been removed. We’re as keen as the rest of the community to see this link on the foreshore walk re-opened and continue to seek updates on the completion of the work from the EGSC.
MADRA also met with Parks Victoria to hear about the progress of works on the jetties and day visitor areas around the lake. There have been some delays in the project of restoring the lake infrastructure, but the works are well and truly back on track now and expected to be completed in early 2024. Parks Victoria will hold a community consultation session once the plans are ready.
Sunday in the Soup
Our second ‘Sunday in the Soup’ catch-up was held on the 25th of June, with pizza and kids’ activities (thanks Tess!) added to the mix, and once again it was a pleasure to get together for a convivial afternoon at the Muddie. Thanks to everyone who came along and shared in the conversations and soup! The next Sunday in the Soup will be held at the Muddie on the 23rd of July, 4.00–6.00 pm. We hope to see you there!
Thanks,
MADRA