Cr Leigh Dunscombe, Muirrindindi Mayor

Murrindindi Shire Mayor Cr Leigh Dunscombe says that local people know only too well that the road to recovery from bushfires is a long one.

Cr Dunsconbe addressed the January 22 meeting of Council, and spoke of the bushfires across Australia, including those in Gippsland and North-East Victoria.

“My thoughts, like so many others over the break, have predominantly been with those facing the devastating bushfires and drought, it is very hard to relax when you know firsthand what so many people are going through,” Cr Dunscombe said.

“My heart goes out to all that have been affected and my most sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

“There is nothing I can say to ease their pain and the overwhelming sense of helplessness is palpable.

“The road to recovery from these disasters will be a very long one and we, perhaps more so than others, having experienced the fires of 2009 know that only too well.

“That experience however places us in a prime position to help, to share our experiences and offer our support and I am sure I speak for everyone when

I say “Help – we will”,” Cr Dunscombe said.

Cr Bec Bowles said: “I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the staff of Murrindindi Shire Council in supporting the fire affected shires of East Gippsland and Towong.”

Shire Chief Executive Officer Craig Lloyd said: “As the Mayor has stated, Council officers have been actively supporting other Councils impacted by the recent fires.

“There is no doubt that the experiences of Council during
the 2009 fires have caused us to ensure that we have a good depth of knowledge and experience in emergency management in Murrindindi.

“This has allowed us to provide support to the Gippsland and North East Victoria fires.

“I have been actively engaged in discussions with the Emergency Management Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer of Bushfire Recovery Victoria and others to see how we can support those affected communities.

“During my leave, Acting CEO Michael Chesworth visited Towong Council, with other CEO’s to provide background on our Shire’s recovery from the 2009 fires and again offer our support. It is pleasing that we have been able to provide staff to support the following roles:

• Community Safety Officer to East Gippsland,
• Community Safety Officer to Wangaratta to support their Animal Evacuation Centre,
• Two Municipal Emergency Response Officers to support Towong at the local Incident Control Centre

“We will continue to provide support to fire affected Councils as their needs emerge.

“I would like to thank the staff that represented us, their families, as well as all our staff that either volunteered to stepped in to cover our staff on secondment,” Mr Lloyd said.