Tuesday, 3 October 2023

Ministers statements: emergency management

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:19): I would like to continue the theme that Ms Crozier and I were discussing before and update the house on the evolving fire and flood situation across our state. Over the last couple of days we have seen serious fires in the state’s east impacting the communities around Erica, Walhalla, Loch Sport and Briagolong – areas that have been subject to advice for many weeks now as they are the highest risk areas in the state, in addition to small parts of the Mallee. We also have a significant threat of a flooding emergency in the next couple of days. Our Premier perhaps could consider renaming Emergency Management Victoria to Daily Management Victoria; that is how dynamic these emergencies are. They are a regular reality in 2023, that is for sure.

Unfortunately one home has been confirmed as lost, and I would certainly like to express my deep sympathy and thoughts to the Saunders family at this very challenging time. I want to put on record my thanks to the 655 fighters from our fire services for their tireless work in bringing these fires under control, protecting lives, homes, farms and indeed our forests. I would also like to thank the staff at Bairnsdale and Benalla who are now staffing incident control centres to deal with potential flooding over the coming days. Emergency Management Commissioner Nugent is certainly hitting the ground running. He was at the State Control Centre overnight and sending me updates very early this morning, and I thank him for his commitment.

The current situation is dynamic, and there are many warnings that are still active. Over the next couple of days we will see strong winds and heavy rainfall. This will be a challenging time for our emergency services personnel as well as impacted communities. Many are recovering from recent traumas from previous incidents. All Victorians should keep up to date with the latest information on VicEmergency and the BOM and via an emergency broadcaster like the ABC and any other local places to get information. It is important to heed the warnings of local emergency services, evacuate when advised to do so and keep safe around fallen trees and powerlines, and please do not drive through floodwaters.

Many Victorians have previously been impacted by floods and fires, and they may face increased anxiety through these conditions. I also would like to remind them and anybody else who is in contact with them that flood and fire recovery services are still available for those that require support.