Jennifer Pittorino
Maribyrnong council will continue its Community Recovery Committee (CRC), created one year ago in response to the devastating 2022 floods.
Council established the committee in February and eight community members were appointed to the committee in April.
With four members remaining, councillors were presented with a review of the committee at their meeting on Tuesday, March 19.
Council approved the continuation of the Community Recovery Committee with an independent chair. An expression of interest process will be undertaken for the vacant member positionsand a recruitment process begun for the independent chair.
Councillor Sarah Carter said the review is to ensure that the community is receiving what it needs 12 months on from the establishment of the committee.
“It is obviously a really long way to recovery. Part of the review that we’ve done 12 months on is to look at the changing needs of the community,” she said.
“What recovery support meant in those first few months is vastly different and somewhat more complex now as time progresses.”
Cr Carter said extensive consultation with the community resulted in the decision to appoint an independent chair.
“It’s still a really emotive issue as can be expected. There is still a very heavy load of trauma that is carried by residents impacted by the floods.
“So I think to have independence in the operationalisation of the committee is really good, and also to refine and look at what our scope is going forward.”
Councillor Michael Clarke agreed saying community groups run by community members are important for the healing of those affected.
“I really want to underscore the role of actually having groups like this, led by the community, led by those who have actually been impacted upon, and been affected by the disaster,” he said.
“Events like floods can be with you for a lifetime, so the mental health needs of the communities that are affected by major events can help immeasurably if those people have a sense of being able to impact positively on the future.”
