March 2012 Flood event – Community Engagement

Todays discussion 1.Summary of the event 2.Impact on the community 3.Opportunities for engagement 4.Key issues 5.Engagement methods 6.Lessons learned

Rainfall figures TownMay 14 th – 15 th 1974 October 2 nd – 4 th 1993 February 27 th – March 4 th 2012 Comments Yarrawonga115 mm25 mm277 mm Major contributor to Muckatah depression flow Tungamah76 mm78 mm292 mm Contributor to Broken and Boosey Creeks. Numurkah72 mm57 mm191 mm Nathalia71 mm65 mm151 mm Benalla95 mm202 mm*215 mm * Rainfall recorded in the week prior to flooding of downstream towns. Average annual rainfall is approximately 400mm.

That’s a lot of rain!

An emergency that spanned 18 days

The impact across Moira Shire Approximately 230 homes with above floor inundation. 700 properties completely isolated for a number of days and in some cases weeks. A further 1800 properties indirectly affected across 17 of Moira’s 23 communities. Between 6,000 and 7,000 residents directly impacted. Approx 1,000,000 sandbags were used. An infrastructure damage bill of $50.163M.

Community engagement opportunities During emergency response and relief Community meetings Community newsletters Relief centre communications During the Recovery Community meetings Community newsletters Flood Recovery Office Infrastructure recovery Community recovery projects Emergency Management Planning

Key themes of engagement Defending the emergency response Understanding the event Distinguishing between storm water and floods Managing the impact of private property damage Community recovery Managing the impact of damage to community infrastructure Future planning and preparedness for Flood Emergency

Communication during the Emergency response and relief Support VicSES (as Control agency) community meetings With other agencies such as DHS, GBCMA, DEPI, GMW Publication and distribution of Community Newsletters online and printed for distribution Highlighting impact and support available Relief centres provided updates on affected areas Operations staff in the field and customer service staff all providing information as provided by VicSES from the ICC via the MECC.

Communication in Recovery Community meetings held in 14 locations through May and early June Reciprocation by VicSES, GBCMA, GMW, DHS Used Community SMS to promote meetings High participation with over 500 attending Community Newsletters Regular editions providing update on all aspects of the recovery process Varied according to the phase of recovery Included relevant contact details of support agencies

Community Newsletter

Flood Recovery Office Dedicated Recovery Office opened from April 2012 – December 2013 in Numurkah, central to the impacted area Managed all NDFA and Victorian Government funded projects A base for relief and recovery information in the months following the event. Project workers and agencies staff Home to Infrastructure recovery project A base from which agencies could operate close to the affected area

Infrastructure Restoration Engagement with affected property owners One on one visits with project managers and agencies as required Letter drops for road restoration Engagement with Community Groups Sporting and community groups who had suffered damage to assets Engagement with the wider community

Community Development projects Community Recovery events An opportunity to inform the community of progress Moira Shire Storm water pumps and drainage booklet Distinguishing between storm water impact and that of a flood event Moira Shire Flood DVD Stories of the flood as told by those involved Addresses some of the lessons learned and aims to capture the history of the event Available on Youtube

Flood Emergency Planning Reconfiguration of the Nathalia Flood Barriers Numurkah Floodplain Management Plan Currently underway Development of Flood Safe Guides for affected townships Nathalia and Numurkah completed Katamatite and Tungamah under development Update of the Municipal Flood Emergency Plan (MFEP) Embedding EM into Community building model so the lessons are not lost

Lessons learned Effective engagement during and following a flood emergency works best where networks exist. Coordination and consistency amongst agencies is important Early engagement is essential as is ongoing engagement Engagement needs a focus Identifying critical short term needs. Support in emergency Communication through asset and property restoration Ensure that lessons learned are documented

Questions We’re off to the community meeting!!