Ruffy and Kirwans Bridge receive LEAP Safer Together Communities Project funding

Strathbogie Shire Council has received grant funding for Ruffy and Kirwans Bridge to establish a Local Emergency Action Plan (LEAP) with thanks to the Victorian Government.

Council will collaborate with the local communities of Ruffy and Kirwans Bridge to create a LEAP to outline the actions and responsibilities that stakeholders can undertake to better prepare, respond and recover from local emergency events.

The Kirwans Bridge LEAP steering group has already been formed and commenced meetings in February.

Council is seeking expressions of interest from the local Ruffy community to form a community-led steering group to guide the Ruffy LEAP project to completion which is expected to take approximately 8 months commencing in May 2025.

Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy stated, “We are pleased to support the preparation of LEAPs for both Kirwans Bridge and Ruffy communities, and we invite people who live and engage in Ruffy to apply to participate in this valuable community project.”

The project further aims to create greater community awareness of the risks to the Ruffy and Kirwans Bridge areas and promote greater community resilience in being able to plan, respond and recover from emergency events.

The LEAPing into Safer Communities Project is a joint initiative between Strathbogie Shire Council and the Greater Shepparton City Council to enable our communities to prepare for emergencies, extreme weather events, and other disasters.

Mayor Ewart-Kennedy added, “On behalf of Council, I would like to thank the Victorian Government Safer Together Strengthening Local Government Partnerships Program, which has enabled this valuable project to commence.”

Council invites local community members to nominate themselves to join the Ruffy LEAP Steering Group by emailing info@strathbogie.vic.gov.au or calling 1800 065 993 the Emergency Management Officer by close of business on Thursday 24 April 2025.