Council staff assist with fires relief and recovery

Published on 06 January 2020

Two Macedon Ranges Shire Council emergency management staff have been deployed to Towong Shire to assist with its relief and recovery efforts following the recent devastating bushfires.

Acting Chief Executive Officer, Karen Stevens said Council’s experienced and skilled staff would be based at the Council offices in Tallangatta.

While Towong Shire has suffered significant fire damage in the past week, Tallangatta is outside the current fire area and is safe. A relief centre has been opened in the town to support fire-affected residents and visitors.

“We are pleased to be able to offer assistance to councils affected by the bushfires and share our expertise and knowledge with them,” Ms Stevens said.

“In case of emergencies such as this, councils work together under the Protocol for Inter Council Emergency Management Resource Sharing, which is detailed in our Municipal Emergency Management Plan. The protocol sets out how councils can assist each other without impacting on their own ability to prepare and respond to emergencies in their own area.

“Council is able to assist this week as we have capacity, and the weather is expected to be milder, reducing the likelihood of a bushfire in our own shire.”

Acting Mayor, Cr Mandi Mees said Council was always keen to assist where possible when other councils were affected by bushfires and other emergencies.

“We know how devastating bushfires can be to a region, and we want to help in whatever way we can to assist our fellow councils to help their communities following these terrible fires.”

Cr Mees encouraged residents who would like to support Victorians affected by the bushfire emergency to support the new Victorian Bushfire Appeal, which has been established in partnership with the Bendigo Bank Community Enterprise Foundation and the Salvation Army.

The funds will be used to help meet the most urgent needs of families impacted by the bushfires.

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