Council & Business
22 December, 2022
Community asset flood recovery a focus for council
Works to restore and reopen flood affected community assets in the Pyrenees Shire are continuing, including at the Avoca and Natte Yallock recreation reserves. The damage left behind by flooding in October and November is extensive, complex and...
Works to restore and reopen flood affected community assets in the Pyrenees Shire are continuing, including at the Avoca and Natte Yallock recreation reserves.
The damage left behind by flooding in October and November is extensive, complex and costly, impacting the speed of repairs, however Pyrenees Shire CEO Jim Nolan said clean up and repairs of community assets were well underway.
“Flood recovery is a big job and it will take time and a sustained focus on our long-term resilience,” he said.
“We’re working through repairing visible flood damage, like roads and reserves, in an environment where insurance, contractor availability and other government agencies are all a factor in how quick we are to act.”
More than 15 community facilities, ranging from playgrounds through to sports fields and bike paths were damaged as a result of the recent flooding, with bike and walking trails now all back in operation.
“It is frustrating for the community that some of our recreation reserves and sporting facilities, like the Avoca cricket pitch, haven’t been ready to reopen, but repairs to the oval have begun and hopefully we can see a return to cricket on the pitch later this summer,” he said.
Council is working with contractors and community groups to restore popular meeting places like Avoca’s Lions Park, Lexton’s Toll Bar and the Natte Yallock and Avoca recreation reserves.
“We need to remember that recovery also means thinking longer term about our shire’s businesses and people,” Mr Nolan said.
“Their resilience and economic recovery are less visible than cracks in the road, but even more crucial for us to plan how we’ll help get us back on our feet.
“For our agricultural community, that help starts with fencing repair.
“That’s why we moved swiftly to engage Landmate and BlazeAid volunteers across the shire to help farmers repair fencing as soon as the ground conditions were dry enough.”
Council supported 75 residents to access help after flooding hit their properties during the October and November flood events.
Windermere Services, a crisis support group providing dedicated flood recovery case workers across Victoria, is assisting council in providing further support to these flood affected residents.
The Pyrenees Shire, as part of the long-term recovery plan, has appointed Jane Bowker to a new role of flood recovery coordinator, where she will lead a team dedicated to responding and recovering from flood emergencies.
For more information on flood recovery activities throughout the Pyrenees Shire, visit www.pyrenees. vic.gov.au/flood-updates