Gippsland › Latest news › Baw Baw Local News
Baw Baw Shire Council gets $360,000 additional disaster recovery funding to support community long term recovery from 2019 bushfire
Funding provided by the Victorian Government to support bushfire safety and preparedness initiatives in the eastern region of Baw Baw Shire.
Baw Baw Shire Council has welcomed an additional $360,000 in disaster recovery funding to support the long term recovery of communities affected by the 2019 bushfires. Lots of things happen unseen, unspoken and unheard of until they are announced the 2019 bushfire recovery funding that has been a long time coming and this portion has been spent on a highly visual and tangible outcome for our community.
Works on these projects are ready to progress and are anticipated to commence in coming weeks
bushfire safety and preparedness initiatives
The funding has been provided by the Victorian Government and will support key bushfire safety and preparedness initiatives in the eastern region of Baw Baw Shire:
- An 100,000L additional static water tank at the southern end of Walhalla, to provide a reliable and constant alternative source of water to be accessed by emergency services
- An upgrade of the Hard Stand area in Walhalla to facilitate safer and more reliable emergency service access
Currently, Walhalla is heavily reliant on Stringers Creek as fire-suppression water supply. The addition of a new static water tank, in a more accessible location will help alleviate the risk associated with this reliance and provide a more efficient water supply to the area, especially in the drier summer months when the creek levels can be very low.
Support for community recovery
The existing Hard Stand area in Walhalla can be prone to waterlogging, causing issues for emergency service helicopters which have previously sunk into the softened surface. The upgrade will ensure a safe landing and take-off area, providing consistent emergency service access all year round.
In addition to these safety upgrades, the funding will also contribute support to other community recovery and resilience initiatives. Further details on these projects will be announced in due course over coming weeks.
Prepared for future emergencies
Mayor Cr Michael Leaney said, "Walhalla has been hard hit by natural disasters over the past several years - not only by bushfires, but more recently by severe storms and floods."
"The installation of the water tank and upgraded Hard Stand area will mean that Walhalla will be better prepared for future emergency events, with a reliable fire-suppression water supply and a consistent, safe landing zone for helicopters."
"We are very grateful to the Victorian Government for this additional $360,000 that we can put to immediate use for the benefit of our community." Mayor Michael Leaney said.
Pictures from Baw Baw Shire Council website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
Baw Baw Shire Council welcomes Victorian government grants aiding Noojee transition from timber harvestingDarren Chester calls for stop to rural health merger citing risks to Gippsland services due to lack of consultation, secrecy and autonomy loss
Nicholson Primary School students get chance to discuss Parliament while receiving certificates from Darren Chester
Russell Broadbent urges government budget accountability to alleviate cost-of-living pressure to tackle inflation and alleviate cost-of-living pressures following the Reserve Bank decision
Senators to reject Fresh food tax after report reveals lack of clarity and adverse impact on farmers and families
Baw Baw Shire Council continues advocacy for key unfunded projects despite limited aid from 2024/25 Victorian State Budget
APS Drainage and Civil selected for culvert relining on Loch-Kernot Road in Bass Coast Shire from 13 May 2024 with $750,000 budget
Inspections identify maintenance needs for Cypress trees in San Remo as part of pioneering Bass Coast Urban Forest Strategy
Feedback wanted on draft Master Plan for Alex Goudie Native Park in Drouin by 2 June 2024
Victorian government budget supports safer regional roads with $11.5M for Princes Highway East and $10.7M for Sale Alternative Truck Route upgrades