Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley headed a round table in Timboon to ensure collaboration and coordination in the ongoing efforts to help the community recover from the St Patrick’s Day fires.

“We all know that this event is not over – it’s important that those impacted know that we are still here and will be for as long as they need us,” he said.

“Twenty-six houses were lost. Some people want to rebuild now and some don’t – some want to think about what they want to do for a bit longer.

Mr Lapsley and key agencies involved in recovery efforts met at Timboon and District Healthcare Service for three hours.

“Everyone is at a different place and space and we discussed this at length,” he said.

“We work shopped the current issues, the short-term issues and the six-month plan to help all of us assess whether we’re giving the right level of support in the right places.” 

Mr Lapsley said representatives from Corangamite Shire, Moyne Shire, Victoria Police, the Country Fire Authority, Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning had joined Emergency Management Victoria for the roundtable.

“Some of those most affected might be doing okay now, but they’ve been displaced and how will they be feeling on the coldest day in the middle of winter?”, he said.

“It is natural to be upset and have feelings of anxiety after a fire. This can be delayed though…four weeks later a power bill might arrive for a home you no longer have and that could trigger all the emotions of the event itself to resurface. I would just urge the wider community to understand that while the smoke may have gone, this event isn’t over and their ongoing care and support for one another is critical.”