By Matthew Sims
Casey Council are continuing to prepare for the upcoming heatwave and bushfire risk periods, with upcoming emergency preparedness information sessions scheduled across the region.
Casey Council Active Communities manager Angie Peresso said the council works in partnership with emergency services and other key organisations all-year-round to plan and prepare for emergencies.
“Earlier this year, council staff participated in an exercise alongside emergency services and relief agencies, to test our plans for establishing an Emergency Relief Centre,” she said.
“The centre would provide support for residents who are evacuated as a result of an emergency.
“With the 2023/24 summer predicted to be warmer and drier than the past few years, council’s Emergency Management Team are focused on heatwave preparedness and bushfire mitigation, and have been meeting with local fire services personnel to plan and prepare for bushfires.”
As part of Community Safety Month throughout October, Casey Council’s emergency preparedness information sessions will include events at the Autumn Place Community Hub in Doveton from 10am to 11am on Monday 16 October, the Cranbourne West Community Hub from 10am to 11am on Thursday 19 October and the Rossmoyne Family and Community Centre from 10am to 11am on Monday 23 October.
Ms Peresso said the council’s Fire Prevention Inspection Program will also begin in the coming months.
“We will engage with landholders across the municipality to ensure fuel loads are managed,” she said.
“Coinciding with the Inspection Program will be works to manage vegetation on council land, including roadside slashing and bushland reserve maintenance.
“We have also partnered with the CFA and Red Cross to trial their free Emergency Planning Advisory Service for Casey residents more at risk in emergencies, such as those with a disability or medical condition.”
Ms Peresso said the council is also partnering with Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) to test its heatwave emergency plans in November, with a particular focus on strengthening sharing informaiton with culturally and linguistically diverse members of the community.
“In preparing for this multi-agency exercise, the council and EMV have engaged directly with leaders from the Multicultural Community Engagement Network to better understand their needs in the event of a heatwave,” she said.
Casey Council sustainability and waste manager Michael Jansen said Casey Council recognises the need for action from all levels of society to combat the effects of climate change
“Through the adoption of our Climate Action Plan in February 2023, council has committed to reducing its corporate carbon emissions to net zero by 2030 (or earlier) and will support the Casey community in reaching the net zero carbon emissions by 2040,” he said.
“In addition to reducing carbon emissions, a collective effort is also required to prepare for the impacts of the changing climate that will present itself through extreme weather events.
“Work is underway to inform a robust Climate Adaptation Plan that will outline a clear pathway for Casey to become a climate resilient city.”
For more information about how to prepare for an emergency or about how the council are preparing for a potential emergency, visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/emergency
