Local communities can ‘LEAP into Resilience’

Strathbogie Shire Council will soon have a dedicated officer to oversee the Local Emergency Action Plans (LEAP) of five Strathbogie communities for the next three years.

Funding for the LEAPing into Resilience project was provided through the Federal Government’s Preparing Australian Communities grant and Council will collaborate and share the officer’s expertise with the Mansfield and Murrindindi Shire Councils.

The funding will allow each of the participating local communities (five from each municipality) to work with their Council to prepare a Local Emergency Action Plan.

Strathbogie Shire Mayor, Cr Laura Binks, said the LEAPing into Resilience project will explore risks faced by local communities and provide an opportunity to achieve a greater understanding of the impact a natural catastrophe would inflict on each of our communities.

“This is a chance for our communities to have input into developing strategies for planning, response and recovery following an emergency event,” she said.

“Euroa and Violet Town have already been selected for the program due to their known flood risks.

“There is now an opportunity for three other local communities in the Strathbogie Shire to submit their interest in participating in this important community project.”

Cr Binks said it was an important project with due to the ongoing impacts on our natural environment due to climate change.

“I encourage representatives in our communities to submit an expression of interest to participate in this project by emailing info@strathbogie.vic.gov.au by 30 September 2022,” she said.