Melbourne
Observer
FREE COPY INSIDE
MITCHELL-STRATHBOGIE EDITION
AVENEL • BEVERIDGE • BROADFORD • CLONBINANE • DONNYBROOK • EUROA • HEATHCOTE JUNCTION • KILMORE • NAGAMBIE • PUCKAPUNYAL • SEYMOUR • TALLAROOK • TRAWOOL • WALLAN • WANDONG Not associated with any other publication in this area.
The
Local Paper
FREE
Phone: 5797 2656 or 1800 231 311. www.LocalPaper.com.au
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025
H-G17
LESS ABLE TO COPE WITH DISASTERS
Star Tree Services QUALIFIED ARBORISTS • Tree Removal • Tree Surgery & Pruning • Consultations & Reports • Elm Leaf Beetle Control • Mulch & Firewood Sales
5783 3170 Free Quotes. Full Insurance Cover www.treeservices.com.au mail@treeservices.com.au
RO ROYY AL TREE SERVICES Free Quotes • TTree ree Removals • Pruning • Stump-Grinding • Fully Insured • Mulch for sale Email: wes@royaltreeser vices.com.au www.royaltreeservices.com.au
FOR A FREE QUOTE CALL
WES: 0416 695 138
LANDSCAPING • Instant Turf Installation • Garden Beds Flat or Raised • Irrigation • Rataining Walls • Pergola’s • Decking
CONCRETING • Plain-ColouredTextured-Pattern • Exposed Aggregate • Driveways • Footpaths • Shed Slabs • Stairs • Slabs for Pergola’s/Afresco’s • Carport Slabs • Footings
0411 462 685
Contact: Arthur Email: arthur@pro-xconcretelandscaping.com Web: www.pro-xconcretelandscaping.com
■ Former Mitchell Shire Councillor Bill Chisholm says Victoria is becoming progressively less able to respond to a major natural disaster. “This is not a critique coming out of the recent fire situation in California. Although a dire situation, there have been numerous such disasters in the past,” Mr Chsholm said. “Both politicians and bureaucrats appear not to comprehend or learn from any of these events. “In my opinion when you combine politics, bureaucracy and a lack of common sense you come to the situation Victoria finds itself in today. “Victoria is becoming progressively less able to adequately respond to a major natural disaster. “I have a reasonable understanding of how bureaucrats and Politics work. “Emergency management is a complex organisation compromising numerous agencies and others feeding into a tiered structure. “I feel many of the bureaucrats are too focused internally and in some cases effectively gagged by Government legislation in the views they can express. “Politics in Victoria has become very ‘City Centric’ at the expense of rural and regional communities. This particularly applies in dealing with Emergency Management issues. “The following are issues that are never or rarely discussed at Emergency Management Planning sessions I have attended. ■ The critical shortage of volunteers. CFA has approximately 7000 less firefighters than on Black Saturday. ■ CFA fire tanker fleet has an over 30-plus year replacement cycle and getting older. ■ Significant funding cuts to the SES following the 2022 Flood events in Victoria and no sustainable funding model into the future. ■ Increases in the Fire Service Levy are without any clarity or accountability on how or where it is spent. ■ The shuting down of the native logging industry [comes] with no plans to adequately fund or address the increasing fire risks faced by communities ■ Natural Disasters Insurance issues . “In a State with a very serious debt, burden focus should be on getting value for money. This is clearly not happening. “The current focus on paid firefighters and managerial staff is at the expense of unpaid volunteers who need proper support. Volunteer interests have been ignored for far too long. “Even at a local level Council efforts need a major shake up. Admittedly there are some very good people involved in Emergency Management but the system is at fault.
New Computers, Repairs, Lessons/Tutoring, Phones, Websites & more!
Mitchell Brown www.broadforditsolutions.com.au info@broadforditsolutions.com.au
0493 804 698
● Bill Chisholm in his Mayoral days “The post October 2022 flood response to the Seymour community is a good example,” Mr Chishom said. “Two years on; the main open drain in Wallis St, Seymour, is yet to be cleaned out. “Kings Park flood water retention issues have yet to be addressed. “However Council can commit approximately $7 million of borrowed money to the old dilapidated bridge. “Proper flood mitigation and maintenance works for Seymour should have been the priority. “Other major issues needing to be addressed include multiple access and egress points for subdivisions, vegetation and buffer zones on the urban/ rural interface, better town planning and streetscapes that allow ease of traffic flow, particularly in emergency situations. “There are some simple solution,” Mr Chisholm said: ■ Focus on the bigger picture, protection of communities first priority. ■ Value and support Emergency Services Volunteers. ■ Incorporate informed community members into all levels of Emergency Management Planning and decision making. ■ Recognise that there is a serious disconnect between the community, the bureaucracy and politicians at all levels. ■ Recognise that with Climate Change and the increasing risk of major Natural Disasters a whole of community approach is required. “This means restoring some power and decision making to ordinary people and communities and have them fully involved.” Mr Chisholm has been a CFA volunteer for 50 years, and has 12 years experience with the Mitchell Emergency Management Planning Committee.
PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS ON THE FRONT-PAGE FROM $39 PER FORTNIGHT Your business can have front-page prominence in a local edition of The Local Paper for just $39 per fortnight if you order a 23-issue pre-paid package totalling $897. Limited offer. First-in basis.
The Local Paper Phone 1800 231 311, 0450 399 932 editor@LocalPaper.com.au