Thursday, 5 October 2023

Gippsland fires and floods

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Housing, Minister for Water, Minister for Equality) (09:57): Gippsland has been devastated by the most extreme weather conditions, for many people, in living memory over the last few months. Coming off the back of one of the driest August periods on record, we have then seen bushfires spread, including across Briagolong and then down to Loch Sport from the weekend through to Monday. This has tested the resolve and the resilience of communities yet again in the face of these extreme climatic conditions and large-scale weather events. Our strike crews, volunteers, frontline responders and communities have been extraordinary in the face of these challenges, but yet again that resolve has been tested this week by inundations, by heavy rainfall events that have swept across Eastern Victoria.

In thinking of this work and the work that is happening across the water catchments that are flooding, across Lake Glenmaggie and then down towards Tinamba, Tinamba West, Newry and then further afield, we know that communities are doing it tough. Establishing relief centres and working towards providing support to people when it is needed are at the heart of good emergency response. From swiftwater rescue crews being on stand-by through to partnerships with the Wellington Shire Council community and assistance organisations, thank you. The work goes on to make and keep people safe. We are looking forward to seeing rainfall easing across the state and making sure that people have what they need in the days and weeks to come.