Survey responses strongly indicated that alternative power sources need to be provided for local communities (Question 41 of the survey).

ORCRA aims to advocate for creating connections and explore options for alternative power sources and micro-grids to increase power supply resilience

Join us on Wednesday 25 May at the Swifts Creek Community Hall from 5pm- 7pm to discuss sustainable power options.

Our Community Meeting was a great success... results and recordings from the meeting will be posted up shortly.

Survey responses strongly indicated that the region needs better telecommunications during disasters (Question 41 from survey)

ORCRA aims to advocate for creating connections and exploring options for increased telecommunications resilience and better coverage.

Join us on Wednesday 25 May at the Swifts Creek Community Hall from 5pm- 7pm to discuss and review options for sustainable telecommunications

Our Community meeting was a great success and notes and recordings will be posted up shortly.

Survey responses strongly indicated loss of access to facilities due to road closures was a big challenge. 40% of respondents said they couldn't access services they needed during the fires.

ORCRA aims to advocate for more consistent road access on the Great Alpine Road at all times and better quality alternative access roads during emergencies.

Following a series of rockslides, ORCRA is advocating for open communication and immediate action on the Great Alpine Road at Namestone Point. Watch Melina Bath MP's address here.

Survey responses indicated that steps need to be taken to reduce and manage the fuel load more effectively.

ORCRA has established a Sub-committee whose primary focus is on Fuel Management within the region. The Sub-committee aims to increase community and government conversations on and create localized plans for bushfire fuel management in our communities.

Sub-committee functions

• Provide a formal link between community and the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) and the East Gippsland Shire Council (EGSC) to discuss, agree and monitor implementation of fire prevention options.
• Provide a link to community members from the region who wish to contribute fire prevention options for consideration.
• Establish small additional working groups; in need, from specific parts of the region to provide sub-regional priorities to the Committee.
• Foster collaboration with (and between) other parties with interests in fire prevention for the region.
• Report to the ORCRA regularly regarding options being considered.
• Provide ORCRA with any written material for posting on the ORCA website or socials to keep community informed.

Sub-committee members

• Kate Commins (Chair) (ORCRA)
• Sarah Adcock (DEWLP) Tambo Forest Fire Management
• Jeffe Aronson (ORCRA)
• Kate Smith (ORCRA) (DEWLP) Team Leader Risk and Evaluation
• Trudy Anderson (ORCRA) (BNH)
• Tim Davison, Emergency Management Officer, EGSC
• Chris Lewis Vegetation Management Officer, CFA
• Geoff Adams CFA Ensay
• Shane Turner, Emergency Management Coordinator, EGSC
• Trudy Anderson (ORCRA)
• Ken Skews, Ensay
• Graham Symons, CFA Omeo

Find out more information about the planned burns strategy here.

The survey indicated that the highest impact felt during the 2019/20 fires was emotional.

ORCRA aims to increase the mental health resilience of the community via access to mental health education, support and resilience services.

Currently ORCRA is working with mental health experts in the region to discuss ways in which the organisation can be most effective in increasing access to mental health services and support.

Complete the regional resilience plan and at least two locality response plans that incorporate the LIMP’s and assembly points

Advocate for increased Government funding for the region and assist community groups and members with appropriate applications

ORCRA helps communities access funding (government and philanthropic) by working with groups and individuals to access appropriate funding, set up contacts with funding managers to maximise effective applications, and to help with applications where needed. We also write letters of support for community groups. We work closely with groups so that our region has the best possible outcomes in any funding applications.

Updates of funding opportunities are posted regularly on our FB page.

Sucesses in our region

>East Gippsland Community Foundation

Activate Ensay - Ensay Memorial Hall - $39,790

Friends of the Mitta - Anglers Rest Loop Trail Concept - $20,000 (EGFC, EGSC, NE Catchment Area, Parks Victoria)

Omeo Region Business and Tourism Assoc - Bundara Community Centre - $19865

Friends of the Mitta - UHF Repeater, Bundara Valley - $5041

Swifts Creek Community Centre - Refurbishment - $68,009

Benambra Neighbourhood House - IT and Connected Community - $71,800

ORBTA and OHD - Omeo Region Health Preparedness Project - $65,448

>East Gippsland Shire Council Community grants

Ensay Rec Reserve - Kitchen upgrade - $5000

Ensay Angling Club - events - $1500

Omeo and District Show - Safety Equipment - $2830

Omeo and District Cricket Club - pitch - $2000

CWA High Country - seats for Poets Walk - $665.11

Omeo and District Show - Sheep yards - $3448

>RADES

ORBTA - Beer and Adventure Festival - $10000

Omeo Golf Club - RV Muster - $5000

Back Summer Bushfire Recovery Grants

Bush Nurses Swifts Creek - Upgrade - $158,126

ORBTA - Telecoms Installation Bundara Valley - $205,056

Omeo Golf Club - Upgrade - $128780

Swifts Creek Community Hall - upgrade - $878040

Omeo Rec Reserve - Courts upgrade - $659,000

>East Gippsland Shire Council Community Infrastrure Grant

Omeo Recreation Reserve - update windows/doors - $21,840

Cassilis Recreation Reserve - Toilet upgrade - $45,454

Swift Creek Bush Nurses - Disability access upgrade - $35,965

Ensay Mechanics Institute - Upgrade - $45,454

>Connect Well

Benambra Neighbourhood House - Resilience events - $14,000

Cassilis Recreation Reserve - marquee for event - $1100

More to come