Barnawartha Fire Community Recovery Working Group Meeting

MINUTES Barnawartha Fire Community Recovery Working Group Meeting

Mission Statement: To support and develop a sustainable, thriving and resilient Community through leadership and partnership.

TO BE HELD: Monday 21 March, 2016

LOCATION: Middle Indigo Primary School

CHAIR: James Trennery

Tammy Burnett ATTENDEES: Diane Shepheard Karen van Huizen Sue Schultz Lachlan Campbell – NECMA Mayor James Trenery – Indigo Shire Council Ron Sneddon – Indigo Shire Council Carlene Lamanna – Indigo Shire Council Kate Biglin – Indigo Shire Council

APOLOGIES: Eloise Jones – DHHS, Julie Mclean, Gerry Smith, Cr Emmerick Teissl – Indigo Shire Council

of 4 BARNAWARTHA FIRE COMMUNITY RECOVERY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

1. Matters arising from the previous meeting:

Action: Rates Council has a financial hardship policy. We need to get the message out that support is there for people who need it. Action: James to investigate waiving rates for the three impacted families. Action: Carlene and committee to communicate Financial Hardship policy.

Action: Recovery Plan Complete. Community Recovery Plan has been reviewed by committee members. Action: Minimum skills Complete.

Action: Blazeaid Carlene and Anthony met with Blazeaid. 70kms of fencing completed, 218 volunteers attended. Outstanding work has been handed over to Carlene to co-ordinate with the prison crew.

Action: Communication sub committee Communication sub-committee members met (including Di, Sue and Helen) to talk about communications. A wide range of views and suggestions. Carlene to work with the sub-committee to review communication strategy.

Action: Next communications sub group meeting – Tuesday 5 April, 9.30am at Di’s house (1967 Indigo Creek Road)

2. COMMUNITY RECOVERY PLAN A funding application needs to be lodged 2 BARNAWARTHA FIRE COMMUNITY RECOVERY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

to access financial support for recovery activities. An action from the previous meeting was for the Committee to discuss ideas with the community. Ideas included:  Alternative approaches to agricultural recovery to ensure increased resistance to future events.  Insurance is still an issue. A workshop to assist.  Reinvigorating local Landcare group.

Action: Carlene to research best practice and present a list of ideas to the committee. Next meeting will be a 2 hour meeting dedicated to confirming plan. 3. AGRICULTURAL SECTOR SUPPORT How is the fodder supply going? Sunday week saw another drop. Action: Carlene to check in with Shaun.

4. UPCOMING EVENTS Past: Parenting session last week – three families attended. Tammy and Carlene noted it was very good. Can run another session in future to reach more families.

Community Recovery Barbecue event tomorrow night with psychologist David Younger. Lots of promotion has been completed.

5. BLAZEAID UPDATE Covered above in actions arising.

6. COMMUNITY DEBRIEF Discussion regarding CFA providing an overview of the event. How it started, step by step how the day unfolded. Location should be CFA Shed. Evening event.

Action: Kate and Carlene to liaise with CFA to set a date. 8. GENERAL BUSINESS Roadside clean up discussed at length, noting the wide range of views on how

of 4 BARNAWARTHA FIRE COMMUNITY RECOVERY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

much clearing should be undertaken. Ron advised the Committee that 7kms of clearing had been completed of an anticipated 30kms of works. Ron updated the Committee on the latest report from the contractors undertaking the work.

Metal skip bin overflowing – needs to be emptied. Blazeaid had called Sims Metal. Action: Carlene to follow up.

Action: Carlene to discuss reinvigorating Landcare with NECMA – potentially meet in May or June.

Next Wednesday 13 April, 8.30am-10.30am. meeting: