The Maribyrnong Community Recovery Committee recently announced a new initiative for flood affected residents.
The committee intends to help individuals involved in the emergency flood response to apply for scholarships through the Emergency Services Foundation.
The ESF scholarship program provides opportunities for both paid staff and volunteer members of the Victorian Emergency Services to undertake a study tour that will lead to improvements in Victoria’s emergency management sector.
Maribyrnong Community Recovery Committee chair Madeleine Serle said she will also continue to push for an all agency review of the floods.
Ms Serle appeared before the Legislative Council’s Environment and Planning Committee Enquiry into the 2022 Flood Event in Victoria.
She said it was a “privilege to put forward the views and experiences of the flooded residents in Maribyrnong”.
“I wanted to convey the continuing community distress but also our reasonable expectations for change,” she said.
“As residents on our own recovery journey, we know we must build resiliency for future flood events. Australia spends a fortune on disasters, but 97 per cent on recovery and 3 per cent on prevention. This is insane and we have to change to spend more on prevention.”
Ms Serle said she is committed to bringing residents, community groups and government together for better flood preparedness.
“Living here beside Mirrangbamurn, the Maribyrnong River, we have a reasonable right to better government policy and action for our flood resilience,” she said.
“I was encouraged by the thoughtful attention and questions I faced. Like thousands of other flooded Victorians, I am putting my trust in diligent work by the committee to reveal hard truths and gain valuable insights into the flood event.
“I look forward to strong recommendations for change that will enable my own community in Maribyrnong , and Victoria in general , to improve flood resilience”.
Jennifer Pittorino
