The Local Emergency Action Plan Communities Forum was part of the LEAPing into Resilience Project, through which small communities identify local risks, strengthen skills and knowledge, and develop Local Emergency Action Plans tailored to their needs.
Representatives from communities including Toolangi and Castella, Flowerdale, Taggerty, Thornton, Fawcett, Buxton, Merton, Jamieson, Tolmie, Goughs Bay, Peppin Point, Bonnie Doon, Strathbogie Tableland and Nagambie attended the event.
Participants heard preliminary findings from Deakin University’s independent evaluation of the LEAP program and took part in a community resilience panel moderated by Anne Leadbeater.
Emcee Ben Harnwell from Murrindindi Shire Council said connecting communities and creating opportunities to learn from one another was a key strength of the event.
“While every community is different, many are facing similar challenges. Bringing people together gave them an opportunity to share knowledge, hear what is working elsewhere and strengthen connections that can continue beyond the forum,” Ben said.
“What really stood out was the dedication of the communities involved and their focus on putting their plans into action. That commitment puts communities in a strong position to continue building their resilience and preparing for the future.”
Fawcett community representative Sam Hicks said the forum highlighted the importance of relationships and local knowledge built well before an emergency occurs.
“Resilience didn’t begin on January 9. It was built through years of community connection, volunteering, local knowledge and trust. The fire simply tested those relationships,” Sam said.
The current round of LEAP is a partnership between Murrindindi and Mansfield shire councils, supported by $300,000 from the Victorian Government’s Safer Together program.
For more information about Local Emergency Action Plans, visit murrindindi.vic.gov.au/LEAP
