East Gippsland residents have embraced cutting-edge technology designed to strengthen disaster preparedness, with two Simtable demonstrations held recently in Lindenow and Mt Taylor drawing strong crowds and sparking lively discussion.
On Monday December 2, around 25 community members gathered in Lindenow to see the Simtable in action.
Local CFA commanders and captains attended alongside East Gippsland Shire Council’s Blanche Evans.
The digital sand table, which projects interactive, real-time models of bushfires, floods and evacuations, proved both fascinating and practical.
Attendees praised the demonstration for its clarity and relevance, noting how it helped them visualise the challenges of emergency response.
The following day, Tuesday, December 3, Mt Taylor hosted its own session, attracting 34 participants.
CFA presenters Terry and Dan guided the community through scenarios showing how fire behaviour shifts with wind direction and topography.
The interactive format encouraged questions and hands-on engagement, leaving participants with a stronger understanding of local vulnerabilities and the importance of preparedness.
One participant summed up the mood, saying: “We need to educate the wider community – this is just so important and thank you for highlighting it.”
Together, the two events reached around 60 community members and were delivered through a collaboration between East Gippsland Shire Council, CFA and Australian Business Volunteers (ABV).
The demonstrations not only raised awareness but also sparked meaningful conversations about resilience and preparedness across the region, reinforcing the value of continued community engagement.
The demonstrations form part of ABV’s Resilient Regions program, which helps communities prepare for, withstand and recover from natural disasters.
Resilient Regions is supported by the Australian and Victorian governments.
