Preparedness is essential in managing emergencies, and Buloke Shire Council has been actively enhancing its readiness to support the community during severe weather events.
Recent annual training, live drills, such as practising raising the marine-grade aluminium flood barriers in Donald on Thursday, and investments in flood mitigation infrastructure, demonstrate Council’s commitment to improving emergency response capabilities.
Council also recently supported the distribution of Safer Together funding to all Community Planning Forums and Neighbourhood Houses, to develop and deliver emergency preparedness activities in their local communities. This funding program has been developed through a grant received from the Safer Together Strengthening Local Government Partnerships: Buloke Communities Prepared.
Stay informed
Residents are also encouraged to stay informed using trusted resources for real-time updates and revisit emergency planning.
Council has free copies of the Red Cross RediPlan available to the Buloke community. These are also available at local Neighbourhood Houses and Resource Centres across the shire, or ask for a copy at Council’s Customer Service counter at the Wycheproof office.
Other resources:
- VicEmergency – Alerts about incidents in the area: https://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond. Facebook: VicEmergency or via the app.
- Bureau of Meteorology – Weather reports and river heights: http://www.bom.gov. au.
- Facebook: Bureau of Meteorology or via the app.
- Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) – Preparedness and management of incidents: https://www.ses.vic.gov.au. Facebook: Victoria State Emergency Service.
- Flood-Eye – Individual property reports of flood risk https://www.nccma.vic.gov.au/flood-eye.
- Road Safety Reminders: VicRoads – Operates 24/7: https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/traffic-and-road-use/report-a-road-issue. Phone: 13 11 70.
- Buloke Shire Council-owned roads – Operates Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm (note holiday closures from 24 December 2024). Phone Customer Service on 1300 520 520.
Together, by staying informed and prepared, we can enhance the safety and resilience of the Buloke community during this summer season.
This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 24 December 2024.