Wollondilly Council expanded its collection of community outreach initiatives last week to include a mobile ‘Recovery and Resilience vehicle’.
The customised, state-of-the-art ‘Resilient Wollondilly Van’ was funded through the Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund. It will be used to provide immediate outreach support to impacted residents and businesses throughout disasters.
Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould said the van will prevent residents from travelling far in order to access disaster support.
“The Resilient Wollondilly Van will provide critical support for our communities when they need it most,” said Mayor Gould.
“It will also enable us to offer community programs focused on education, awareness and social connection.”
The van will connect residents with essential services, and establish community recovery points. It stores equipment, including solar panels, a lithium battery, work station, satellite internet, fridge, defibrillator and generator.
The need for a mobile disaster recovery point was identified following the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires, which affected people in a number of towns and villages across Wollondilly Shire.
Two key recovery points were then established in Picton and Balmoral Village, and while both provided great support, their locations required residents to travel.
According to the Wollondilly Shire Council, when the van is not in use, it will be used for resilience-building projects including community education and awareness programs, social programs aimed at increasing connectedness, and opportunities for residents to connect with services.
Wollondilly resident and RFS volunteer Hagen Bossie was impacted by the Black Summer 2019/2020 bushfires.
“Right at the end of my street I have a bush line. The fires swept through there and came only two houses from mine,” said Mr Bossie.
“It came nice and close to me, I want to be able to protect my family, my belongings and the other people around as well.
“It is a good idea to have the Resilient Wollondilly Van that can go around to each area and educate them on what can happen, what will happen and what they can do as citizens to deal with the issues.”
Residents can minimise fire hazards by clearing all potential fuel sources, including gutters and fallen foliage, and by having a fire plan.
(IMAGE – sourced from Wollondilly Council).