Recovery committee progresses post-fire initiatives
MEDIA RELEASE - Recovery committee progresses post-fire initiatives
February 2015
Over the last two weeks, a recovery committee and sub-committees, coordinated by the Shire of Manjimup, have met to progress initiatives that aim to assist with returning the communities of Northcliffe and Walpole to a sense of normality.
Since Sunday the 8th of February, the Shire together with other key agencies and organisations such as the Department of Child Protection and Family Services, Department of Agriculture WA and utilities providers, have operated a 'Recovery Information Centre' out of the Gallery in the Northcliffe Visitor Centre.
Shire President Wade DeCampo said "this one-stop-shop initiative has been open every day to assist those who have been affected by the fire, and we anticipate continued manning of the Recovery Information Centre until Wednesday 25 February. After that date it will be unmanned however literature from all agencies will still be available from the Northcliffe Visitor Centre.
The next steps in the recovery process involve a number of initiatives that are being coordinated at the sub-committee level (see attached for further information on sub-committees). Residents and land owners situated within the fire damage zone will soon be contacted by a Shire officer to initiate an informal visit, providing the community member with the opportunity to raise any concerns or issues they have.
"Everybody's situation is different, and the purpose of these informal catch-ups with our community members is so we can gain a better understanding of the individual circumstances that people are dealing with, and gauge what needs to be done out there," said Cr DeCampo. "This information will be fed back to the recovery committee, and no doubt a number of actions will come of it."
A community meeting that was held in Walpole last Friday was attended by over 100 residents. "Their main concerns have been around the closure of South West Highway, and the impact this has had on local businesses," explained Cr DeCampo.
A recovery donation account has been established by the Shire of Manjimup, and all money donated will allocated by the recovery committee to the community priorities, which will be determined by the information and feedback received from the community. Donations can be made via direct debit into the 'Shire of Manjimup Trust Fund Account' - BSB 036 126 A/C 830 418 or in person at the Shire of Manjimup Customer Service Centre at 37 Rose Street Manjimup.
For all enquiries relating to recovery, please contact Recovery Coordinator Paul Bawden on 9771 7777.
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Manjimup.
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Public Relations Officer, Shire of Manjimup
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact for comment: Wade DeCampo, Shire President.
Contact: 0427 094 081
