Extra funding for disaster recovery

An additional $360,000 disaster recovery funding has been provided to Baw Baw Shire to support the long term recovery of communities affected by the 2019 bushfires.

The State Government funding will support key bushfire safety and preparedness initiatives in Walhalla.

The funds will be used to instal a 100,000 litre static water tank at the southern end of Walhalla, to provide a reliable and constant alternative source of water to be accesses by emergency services.

The hard stand area in Walhalla also will be upgraded to facilitate safer and more reliable emergency service access.

Walhalla is currently heavily reliant on Stringers Creek for fire-suppression water supply.

Mayor Michael Leaney said the additional water tank, in a more accessible location would help alleviate the risk associated with this reliance and provide a more efficient water supply to the area, particularly in the drier summer months when the creek levels can be very low.

Cr Leaney said the existing hard stand area in Walhalla was prone to waterlogging, causing issues for emergency service helicopters which had previously sunk into the softened surface.

He said the upgrade would ensure a safe landing and take-off area, providing consistent emergency service access all year round.

“Walhalla has been hard hit by natural disasters over the past several years – not only by bushfires, but more recently by severe storms and floods.

“The installation of the water tank and upgraded hard stand area will mean that Walhalla will be better prepared for future emergency events, with a reliable fire-suppression water supply and a consistent, safe landing zone for helicopters,” Cr Leaney said.

Works on both projects are expected to begin soon.

The funding also will contribute support to other community recovery and resilience initiatives.