New team members to help with flood recovery and preparedness

Published on 07 September 2023

Mount Alexander Shire Council is continuing to support communities to recover from the October 2022 floods, with the recent appointment of two Community Recovery and Resilience Officers.

The staff members – Neale Chandler and Natalie Pitts – will help the flood-impacted communities of Campbells Creek, Castlemaine, Newstead and Baringhup with their recovery from the severe weather event.

The pair will meet with locals and community groups and help deliver practical, community identified activities and initiatives that promote recovery from the floods, while supporting preparedness and resilience to future emergency events.

“Our first priority has been to meet with people and groups who’ve been impacted by the flood to hear their ideas about opportunities that could help to lead to lasting change in their communities”, said Neale Chandler.

“This has already resulted in progressing a flood emergency response plan for one community and identified the need for follow-up outreach support for another.”

Other projects to support local flood recovery and emergency preparedness include:

• Flood resilience township resources developed in partnership with the community and other emergency agencies (e.g. evacuation plans for vulnerable residents, township evacuation plans, flood information guides for residents)  
• Support flood recovery events and programs in impacted townships through funding and in-kind support
• Strengthen relationships between communities and flood resilience, preparedness and recovery agencies.

“We’re looking forward to assisting communities in their recovery, and being guided by their priorities in doing that.”

If you would like to speak with Neale and Natalie about future emergency planning for your community, or for assistance relating to the October 2022 floods, call 5471 1700 or email info@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.   

This initiative is jointly funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.