East Gippsland Shire Council has welcomed the opportunity to provide input into an independent review into Australia’s disaster funding arrangements announced by the Federal Government last week.
East Gippsland Shire mayor, Cr Mark Reeves, said the region has a long history with natural disasters.
“What we know is there is considerable lived experience that can contribute greatly to improvements in how disaster-prone areas of Australia, including East Gippsland, can be resilient in the face of natural disasters by being supported through preparation, response and recovery,” Cr Reeves said.
Andrew Colvin APM OAM, who led national recovery efforts after the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires, is heading up the review to ensure government investment in disaster funding is fit-for-purpose and effective in the face of increasingly frequent and more severe natural disasters.
“The scope of the review is encouraging, and its success will be in a fit-for-purpose natural disaster model that is effective on-the-ground in natural disaster-exposed communities,” Mr Colvin said.
IMAGE: Gipsy Point resident, Christy Bryar, is still living in temporary accommodation on her property following the Black Summer bushfires which
destroyed her home. Ms Bryar, an architect, has had her project beset by delays and red tape but is expected to start building her rammed earth
house in the next few months.
