Who knows what the community needs post bushfires better than the community itself?
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The Mid Coast Recovery Committee (MCRC) is a small group of community volunteers formed as a result of last year's bushfire.
MCRC is inviting all residents - whether or not you lost property in the bushfires - to attend a public meeting at Bent on Food this Friday, January 17.
The meeting is being held to gauge what the community wants and to form a larger committee with representatives from affected communities.
"The impact of recent bushfires on individuals, our community, and our environment has been profound and life changing," MCRC member Lucinda Fischer said.
"If you were not affected directly, it was your neighbour, work colleague, or a family friend," she said.
"The geographical scale and extent of what has happened is still inconceivable for most of us, even two months on.
"Now that we have moved past the initial disaster response, many of us are beginning to consider the recovery phase, and what that might look like.
The geographical scale and extent of what has happened is still inconceivable for most of us, even two months on.
"The National Disaster Recovery Principles state that recovery should always be community-led.
"It is imperative that recovery strategies for the Mid Coast align with what our community actually needs.
"In light of this, we feel the most effective way forward is to create a group of community members that can effectively represent the varying and individual needs of our people."
This meeting will be the first in planned fortnightly meetings around the Wingham and Taree areas.
The purpose of these meetings will be to:
- Develop a community action plan/s for renewal.
- Identify short term needs for fire affected residents and properties and long term needs for the entire community.
- Discuss opportunities for social morale building activities and projects.
- Clarify community needs in order to co-ordinate any funding or grants that may be available in the future.
- Recognise issues that need advocacy or follow up with MidCoast Council, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the various charities, clubs, church groups, and community organisations.
- Help to answer questions.
- Provide a safe, supportive network of support.
- Find ways to help support our economic recovery.
The meeting starts at 5.30pm, with a planned 7pm finish. Everyone is welcome.
For more information contact Lucinda Fischer on 0429 636 166 or at contactmidcoast@gmail.com.
