Council coordinating COVID-19 recovery

Published on 23 June 2020

Gannawarra Shire Council is working in partnership to lead the community’s recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Council’s Community Resilience Committee, consisting of 26 agencies, is developing the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Plan, which will guide the community’s recovery – both socially and economically.

“Council plays a vital role in the response, relief and recovery efforts during time of crisis and emergency. The recent COVID-19 Pandemic is no exception,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

“The Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee has been working together since December 2018 to support Gannawarra communities through the drought. This committee has been expanded and will now oversee the community relief and recovery process from the pandemic.”

Since the Victorian Government declared a State of Emergency in mid-March, Council has implemented a range of measures. Some of these include working with Council leases and facility hirers to reduce financial burdens, enacting the COVID-19 Hardship policy, increasing our Community Care services and continuing to deliver on our Capital Works program and projects supported by the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Programme – Extension.

“The next step in the journey to return to a COVID-safe society is the most important, and we look forward to working with our community through supporting each other and building resilience,” Mayor Learmonth said.

To assist with the Gannawarra’s recovery from COVID-19, residents and community groups will be invited in the coming weeks to complete a COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Survey.

“This survey will ask residents and community groups how they have coped during the COVID-19 pandemic, what concerns they have regarding returning to a COVID-safe society and what support Council and other agencies can provide,” Mayor Learmonth said.

All COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Survey responses received will be used by the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee to lead the implementation of the Community Relief and Recovery Action plan to support social, economic and environmental recovery across the Gannawarra’s communities.

“As a member of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee, we look forward to continuing to work with Council and other agencies to ensure we manage the Gannawarra’s recovery from COVID-19,” Northern District Community Health Chief Executive Officer, Mandy Hutchinson said.

For more information regarding Council’s role in developing the COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Plan and actions already undertaken, please download the fact sheet available at www.gsc.vic.gov.au/coronavirus