The Recovery Directorate which was specifically set-up to assist with the impacts of the June 2021 storm supporting the people and local communities as well as assisting with the physical damage, is now moving into business as usual.
This does not mean that support stops, there will still be staff dedicated to the recovery of our storm-impacted community, particularly around planning and community development.
Our Regional Community Recovery Committees will continue to work closely with local community groups focussing on building strong connected communities and mental health issues and other issues specific to their region.”
We are aware that there are still some residents managing complex issues within in Hills area and we will continue to advocate on their behalf to the State Govt and other agencies for continued support.
Over the past 18 months the following activities have taken place:
Delivered 10 Mental Health First Aid courses to 160 participants
Psychologist webinars with David Younger for understanding the emotional impacts of severe weather events watched more than 1,000 times
Online mental health and wellbeing sessions delivered by Rob Gordon watched over 1,000 times
Online community forums held with State Government agencies as requested by the community. More than 50 people attended each session
Storm response community meetings with local and State Govt agencies held at Kalorama, Olinda and Mt Evelyn attended by up to 100 people per meeting
Lessons learned sessions delivered by Council and State Govt agencies to local communities with over 50 people attending each session
Seven Emergency Recovery Hubs during the immediate response saw approximately 15,000 people attend and over 500 attended the following pop-up hubs
Outreach officers visited 8 townships and engaged with over 200 residents
Pandemic and storm surveys were conducted over 12months with approximately 1500 respondents
Regional Community Recovery Committees were established with the first round handing out over $270,000
Art Attack program included 35 arts and cultural experiences provided by local artists at retail strips to encourage social connection
Insurance events with the Insurance Council of Australia provided support to impacted residents
Reimaging your Rebuild workshops offered expert building and planning advice to groups of 30 residents who had lost their home in the storm
Dedicated planning team and waived planning fees for 183 residents with damaged buildings/homes - 132 planning applications closed, 51 still in progress
Private property clean-up undertaken by two not for profit organisations with more than 200 residents registering for the service
Two kerbside branch collections where more than 45,000 cubic metres of branch material was collected
Processed storm timber debris which included 250 logs to community groups, 50 hollow logs for bushland habitat, 8 truck-loads of root balls for fish habitat, materials provided to Olinda Botanical Garden, Healesville Sanctuary and Coranderrk, 8,000 cubic metres of mulch for community and Council use and 2,000 cubic metres of firewood provided free to residents.
Removal of hazardous trees took place on all Council-owned land
Repairs to 35 Council facilities including Monbulk Aquatic Centre
Repairs to 288 roads, 644 drains and removal of 2,318 trees - reinstatement of paths, drainage systems and bridges
Provided support to local businesses including free gift wrapping and distributing 'Buy Local' marketing collateral
'Buy Local' marketing campaign to encourage
Have a Yarra Ranges Christmas marketing campaign
Waiving business fees over the 2021-22 renewal period to reduce business costs
Facilitating employment in Yarra Ranges with the creation of Yarra Ranges Joblink website.
Hospitality training through a partnership with CIRE and Box Hill Institute
Advocacy for improvements to the telecommunications network with State Govt and NBN Co carriers
Region of Choice promoting businesses that practise employer choice qualities
Temporary outdoor dining using $5000 State Government grant