Recovery achievements

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:

mental-health-icon.jpgDelivered 10 Mental Health First Aid courses to 160 participants

mental-health-icon.jpgPsychologist webinars with David Younger for understanding the emotional impacts of severe weather events watched more than 1,000 times

mental-health-icon.jpg Online mental health and wellbeing sessions delivered by Rob Gordon watched over 1,000 times

online-meeting-icon.jpg Online community forums held with State Government agencies as requested by the community. More than 50 people attended each session

man-at-lecturn.jpgStorm response community meetings with local and State Govt agencies held at Kalorama, Olinda and Mt Evelyn attended by up to 100 people per meeting

presentation.jpgLessons learned sessions delivered by Council and State Govt agencies to local communities with over 50 people attending each session

pop-up-icon.jpg Seven Emergency Recovery Hubs during the immediate response saw approximately 15,000 people attend and over 500 attended the following pop-up hubs

social-distancing-icon.jpg Outreach officers visited 8 townships and engaged with over 200 residents

checklist-icon.jpg Pandemic and storm surveys were conducted over 12months with approximately 1500 respondents

group-of-people-icon.jpg Regional Community Recovery Committees were established with the first round handing out over $270,000

artist.jpg Art Attack program included 35 arts and cultural experiences provided by local artists at retail strips to encourage social connection

house-and-garden-icon.jpg Insurance events with the Insurance Council of Australia provided support to impacted residents

house-drawing-icon.jpg Reimaging your Rebuild workshops offered expert building and planning advice to groups of 30 residents who had lost their home in the storm

social-distancing-icon.jpg Dedicated planning team and waived planning fees for 183 residents with damaged buildings/homes - 132 planning applications closed, 51 still in progress

tree-stump-icon.jpg Private property clean-up undertaken by two not for profit organisations with more than 200 residents registering for the service

truck-icon.jpg Two kerbside branch collections where more than 45,000 cubic metres of branch material was collected

fence-icon.jpg 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.

tree-stump-icon.jpg Removal of hazardous trees took place on all Council-owned land

buildings-icon.jpg Repairs to 35 Council facilities including Monbulk Aquatic Centre

country-road-icon.jpg Repairs to 288 roads, 644 drains and removal of 2,318 trees - reinstatement of paths, drainage systems and bridges

shaking hands icon.jpg Provided support to local businesses including free gift wrapping and distributing 'Buy Local' marketing collateral 

shopping bag.jpg 'Buy Local' marketing campaign to encourage 

Christmas-tree.jpg Have a Yarra Ranges Christmas marketing campaign 

money-with-wings.jpg Waiving business fees over the 2021-22 renewal period to reduce business costs

chef.jpg Facilitating employment in Yarra Ranges with the creation of Yarra Ranges Joblink website.

hospitality.jpg Hospitality training through a partnership with CIRE and Box Hill Institute

telecommunications-icon.jpg Advocacy for improvements to the telecommunications network with State Govt and NBN Co carriers

identity-card-icon.jpg Region of Choice promoting businesses that practise employer choice qualities 

Tray-of-wine.jpg Temporary outdoor dining using $5000 State Government grant