During the week meetings were held with CSIRO and community planner Nigel Bell, from Eco Design Architects. These meetings were the next steps in looking at how the community can drive towards a safer and more sustainable future as Flowerdale recovers from Black Saturday.
We are holding a Community Expo and Workshop at the Spring Valley Recreation Reserve Clubrooms on Sunday, 19th April, 2009 at 10.00am. We would like as many people to attend as possible to ensure there is wide ranging input from the Community.
Nigel Bell's services have been arranged by the Australian Childrens Trust Foundation, a charitable organisation established by Andrew Forrest. Nigel's background is in Architecture and Planning and he has spent many years reseaching, writing and presenting on waste minimisation, resource efficiency, bushfires and buildings, architecture and social ecology. Nigel specialises in working with communities to identify what they value and want for the long term and helping to plan ways to achieve the community goals. This process involves community workshops that ensures maximum opportunity for participation across the entire community. Nigel is also working on a similar process in Marysville.
The CSIRO team was led by Dr Matthew Inman who is the leader of CSIRO's Sustainable Ecosystems Urban Systems Program. Matthew brought along colleagues with expertise in Design in Bushfire Prone areas, Energy Efficient Design. Communication and Water,Waste Water Management and Recycling. They will also present to the Community on Sunday, 19th April.
The idea is to provide information and education to the Community about what can be done in terms of design at an individual and community level and to capture directly from the community their key values and desires and identify the key decisions that need to be made at a community level.
The Community Committee has engaged with some of Australia's leading experts in this area to ensure Flowerdale recovers to be safer and more sustainable and we are hoping that as many people as possible participate to shape the future of Flowerdale. It is your town and the Community Committee are looking to facilitate the outcomes that the Community wants.
CSIRO also suggested people look at the Community Engagement Process at Eastlake
Ecospecifier an online tool that lets you spec your eco requirements
A CSIRO website that details the integrated assessment process that CSIRO has developed for looking at renewal of communities, it includes a small movie
We have some background flyers that we will distribute at the Shop, Pub, Community Hall and Recreation Reserve. The documents can be read below.
CSIRO Renovators Guide
CSIRO Buyers Guide
Rural Town Development
Sustainable Water and Sewerage Servicing
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Flowerdale - An example to all Australians
On Tuesday General Peter Cosgrove (Ret.) came into Flowerdale. Peter is a legendary Australian with more experience in disaster management than anyone in the country. He led the Interfet force in Timor and then led the effort to rebuild Innisfail and surrounding areas after Cyclone Larry. He had a distinguished military career and was Australian of the Year in 2001.
The Community Committee asked Peter to come and share his experience with us and to review what was going in Flowerdale and give us some advice. We also asked him to meet the locals and provide us with his impressions.
Peter said that the DIY strategy of getting out in front and driving our own destiny was spot on. He said that in times of disaster you cant sit back and wait you need to take control of your own destiny. He did remind us that we needed to avoid the broader community outside Flowerdale saying "those guys in Flowerdale are OK we don't need to worry about them". We need to make sure we continue to engage with government, industry and philanthropy and continue to provide a clear picture of what the community needs.
He also urged us to ensure that we do not lose the opportunity to record the history of Black Saturday and the recovery effort. He said the fires were the biggest thing that would happen to Flowerdale in 100 years and we needed to find a local historian or group of people whose job was to record the history. (Volunteers welcome, if you are interested let us know via the comments or email me pewilliams@deloitte.com.au).
Peter spent time mixing with locals at the Pub and it was really pleasing to see a number of the "Flowerdale Cowboys" in attendance. Peter is very down to earth and the locals really warmed to him.
"The crowd at the pub"
Just before he left he addressed the crowd. he said that the Flowerdale Hotel in his mind was like the Alamo, the place where a brave group of locals gathered and decided to take a last stand against Mother Nature at its most ferocious. He praised the Cowboys for their bravery and determination and refusal to give in against overwhelming odds.
He also commented on the example Flowerdale had provided to the rest of Australia. He said he was honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to visit a community that had been knocked down but had refused to give in. He praised the community spirit he had observed and experienced during the day. He like most Australians had watched the day unfold and had no idea of the stories of bravery, courage and the resilience shown by the Flowerdale community. He reminded us that we needed to stick together and continue with our approach to rebuild the town.
As I dropped him off at the Airport I thanked him for coming down and spending the time, he said to me that he didn't want thanks, for him it was the first opportunity he had to visit a bushfire ravaged community and he thanked the community of Flowerdale for sharing their experience with him, "It was a privilege and honour to be invited and to spend time with the Flowerdale community" he said.
I think he inspired everyone there and we need to make sure we capture the history, continue to drive the community led model and maintain the spirit.
PS Thanks to Mel Kerr at the Photo Art Gallery for the pics
The Community Committee asked Peter to come and share his experience with us and to review what was going in Flowerdale and give us some advice. We also asked him to meet the locals and provide us with his impressions.
Peter said that the DIY strategy of getting out in front and driving our own destiny was spot on. He said that in times of disaster you cant sit back and wait you need to take control of your own destiny. He did remind us that we needed to avoid the broader community outside Flowerdale saying "those guys in Flowerdale are OK we don't need to worry about them". We need to make sure we continue to engage with government, industry and philanthropy and continue to provide a clear picture of what the community needs.
He also urged us to ensure that we do not lose the opportunity to record the history of Black Saturday and the recovery effort. He said the fires were the biggest thing that would happen to Flowerdale in 100 years and we needed to find a local historian or group of people whose job was to record the history. (Volunteers welcome, if you are interested let us know via the comments or email me pewilliams@deloitte.com.au).
Peter spent time mixing with locals at the Pub and it was really pleasing to see a number of the "Flowerdale Cowboys" in attendance. Peter is very down to earth and the locals really warmed to him.
"The crowd at the pub"
Just before he left he addressed the crowd. he said that the Flowerdale Hotel in his mind was like the Alamo, the place where a brave group of locals gathered and decided to take a last stand against Mother Nature at its most ferocious. He praised the Cowboys for their bravery and determination and refusal to give in against overwhelming odds.
He also commented on the example Flowerdale had provided to the rest of Australia. He said he was honoured and privileged to have the opportunity to visit a community that had been knocked down but had refused to give in. He praised the community spirit he had observed and experienced during the day. He like most Australians had watched the day unfold and had no idea of the stories of bravery, courage and the resilience shown by the Flowerdale community. He reminded us that we needed to stick together and continue with our approach to rebuild the town.
As I dropped him off at the Airport I thanked him for coming down and spending the time, he said to me that he didn't want thanks, for him it was the first opportunity he had to visit a bushfire ravaged community and he thanked the community of Flowerdale for sharing their experience with him, "It was a privilege and honour to be invited and to spend time with the Flowerdale community" he said.
I think he inspired everyone there and we need to make sure we capture the history, continue to drive the community led model and maintain the spirit.
PS Thanks to Mel Kerr at the Photo Art Gallery for the pics
Pete's Poem - A reminder of Black Saturday's Ferocity
We have just posted Peter Auty's poem about Black Saturday.
Peter is a long term Flowerdale resident and CFA Volunteer. The poem reminds us how Black Saturday broke all the rules. No matter how much training or knowledge you had nothing could prepare you for Black Saturday.
Pete's Poem was read out by Premier John Brumby in Victorian Parliament and is recorded in Hansard.
We thank Peter not only for this poem but the role he has played in the Flowerdale community before, during and since Black Saturday.
Peter is a long term Flowerdale resident and CFA Volunteer. The poem reminds us how Black Saturday broke all the rules. No matter how much training or knowledge you had nothing could prepare you for Black Saturday.
Pete's Poem was read out by Premier John Brumby in Victorian Parliament and is recorded in Hansard.
We thank Peter not only for this poem but the role he has played in the Flowerdale community before, during and since Black Saturday.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Why the Wasps?
On top of the bushfires Flowerdale has been enduring European Wasps in what seems like plague proportions.
I spotted an article in the Whittlesea Star that gives some explanation. An extract from the article appears below. It was noted they are bad in Whittlesea but worse in Flowerdale.
“I certainly know to an extent that people have been shooing wasps away for several weeks. They are a bit of a concern. The fires have upset quite a few nests and they are floating around,” Mr Hayward said.
Mr Hayward said residents have been out at dusk trying to track wasps back to their nests, which can be more than 500 metres away from food.
From my observations raspberry lemonade in a plastic bottle seems to be the best way of catching them.
I spotted an article in the Whittlesea Star that gives some explanation. An extract from the article appears below. It was noted they are bad in Whittlesea but worse in Flowerdale.
“I certainly know to an extent that people have been shooing wasps away for several weeks. They are a bit of a concern. The fires have upset quite a few nests and they are floating around,” Mr Hayward said.
Mr Hayward said residents have been out at dusk trying to track wasps back to their nests, which can be more than 500 metres away from food.
From my observations raspberry lemonade in a plastic bottle seems to be the best way of catching them.
VBRRA visits
On Monday, Major General John Cantwell, came to Flowerdale to review the progress of the Temporary Village and have a general discussion with John Burgess about the way forward.
He hadn't seen the Village for a few weeks and he was amazed by the progress.
There are 15 portable chalets in place, all with plumbing, heating and power. The first two Flat Packs have been occupied and there are another 8 in advanced stages of construction.
The laundry was getting good usage from some local residents, not ones at the rec reserve, but those living in the area without laundry facilities.
VBRRA are really pleased with how fast things have come together and the good relationship that exists with the Flowerdale community.
The Hales Institute are finishing up on Saturday but local volunteers will step into the breach to fill the gap until the communal kitchen is in place and VBRRA are organising a temporary facility to replace the portable kitchen that is currently on site. A more permanent communal kitchen is also about to be put in place.
Allocations of chalets and the Flat Pack units are being handled by DHS and that process is working smoothly.
Overall it was a successful visit and the Major General was really pleased that the Community Government partnership discussed in early March, when the plans for the Village were handed over by the Community Committee, has had very tangible results.
"Major General Cantwell, with John Burgess, Community Leader, and Pete Williams, Volunteer and Blog Author"
He hadn't seen the Village for a few weeks and he was amazed by the progress.
There are 15 portable chalets in place, all with plumbing, heating and power. The first two Flat Packs have been occupied and there are another 8 in advanced stages of construction.
The laundry was getting good usage from some local residents, not ones at the rec reserve, but those living in the area without laundry facilities.
VBRRA are really pleased with how fast things have come together and the good relationship that exists with the Flowerdale community.
The Hales Institute are finishing up on Saturday but local volunteers will step into the breach to fill the gap until the communal kitchen is in place and VBRRA are organising a temporary facility to replace the portable kitchen that is currently on site. A more permanent communal kitchen is also about to be put in place.
Allocations of chalets and the Flat Pack units are being handled by DHS and that process is working smoothly.
Overall it was a successful visit and the Major General was really pleased that the Community Government partnership discussed in early March, when the plans for the Village were handed over by the Community Committee, has had very tangible results.
"Major General Cantwell, with John Burgess, Community Leader, and Pete Williams, Volunteer and Blog Author"
Nintendo helps provide parents holiday sanity
Last Friday Nintendo came up to the Flowerdale Primary School and gave all of our 33 students a new Nintendo DS.
The fires destroyed houses and contents and particularly distressing for the kids was the loss of their DS's, Wii's, XBoxes etc.
With school holidays coming up it was going to be hard to deal with all of the hassles that life presents to bushfire affected families, particularly with bored kids in tow.
So a huge thank you to Nintendo, the kids and parents in Flowerdale are very appreciative.
"Sarah, a local identity, with her DS and Gizmo, the dog she is babysitting"
The fires destroyed houses and contents and particularly distressing for the kids was the loss of their DS's, Wii's, XBoxes etc.
With school holidays coming up it was going to be hard to deal with all of the hassles that life presents to bushfire affected families, particularly with bored kids in tow.
So a huge thank you to Nintendo, the kids and parents in Flowerdale are very appreciative.
"Sarah, a local identity, with her DS and Gizmo, the dog she is babysitting"
Monday, April 6, 2009
More Units coming on stream
What a difference a week makes. Last week I put in some pictures of the next lot of units being built.
When I visited the site on Sunday morning i was amazed to see seven more units in the final stages of construction.
There is now a road from the clubrooms car park all the way to the northern end of the land adjacent to the rec reserve. This was important to make sure that the site was accessible during wet weather. Another problem now averted.
"The road looking from the northern end of the rec reserve down to the clubrooms"
All of the residents are now either in the portable chalets or the Flat Packs, we will move the caravans from their current locations and keep them in reserve for potential future demand.
And as promised the copy of the plan.
When I visited the site on Sunday morning i was amazed to see seven more units in the final stages of construction.
There is now a road from the clubrooms car park all the way to the northern end of the land adjacent to the rec reserve. This was important to make sure that the site was accessible during wet weather. Another problem now averted.
"The road looking from the northern end of the rec reserve down to the clubrooms"
All of the residents are now either in the portable chalets or the Flat Packs, we will move the caravans from their current locations and keep them in reserve for potential future demand.
And as promised the copy of the plan.
King Parrots coming home
It was a busy weekend up in Flowerdale and my personal highlight was to see a little group of King Parrots having a peck around in Silver Creek Rd on Sunday morning.
Silver Creek Rd in Flowerdale was effectively destroyed and looks like a war zone, I was driving around to check out where the site clean ups had been started and came across these guys.
To put in into perspective the town of Flowerdale runs along the King Parrot Creek and the King Parrot is the emblem of the town. Locals had told me that the numbers of King Parrot had increased in recent years but I hadn't come across anyone who had seen one since the fires. it is good to see not only more local people return to the town and attempt to get their lives back together but also see the native bird life retuning as well.
Hope you get some joy from this just as I did.
Silver Creek Rd in Flowerdale was effectively destroyed and looks like a war zone, I was driving around to check out where the site clean ups had been started and came across these guys.
To put in into perspective the town of Flowerdale runs along the King Parrot Creek and the King Parrot is the emblem of the town. Locals had told me that the numbers of King Parrot had increased in recent years but I hadn't come across anyone who had seen one since the fires. it is good to see not only more local people return to the town and attempt to get their lives back together but also see the native bird life retuning as well.
Hope you get some joy from this just as I did.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Community Meeting update
The community meeting was held last night and covered a wide range of topics.
Cr Sally Abbott Smith, Rob Croxford and Howard Paix from the Murrindindi Shire spoke to the community on a wide range of topics and distributed handouts providing information on issues such as Septic Systems, Community Services, Communication and other topics.
The Department of Primary Industry provided an update on assistance for fencing which has been a major issue for many people affected by the fires, particularly farmers and primary producers.
Grocon have commenced clearance work in the area and have set up teams for Long Gully Rd, Creekside, Riverside and Silver Creek/Silver Parrot Rd. To date 13 properties have been cleared and there are more than 200 to go; it is good to see the process has commenced.
The Community Committee gave an update on the Flowerdale Relief Fund. The money raised will be distributed through coordination with the existing community groups such as CFA, Community House, Youth Group, Kindergarten and School. (I am sure there are more groups and they will also be involved). The money will be focused on providing community facilities.
A brief update was given on the Sustainable Town initiative and the information gathering process will start in earnest next week with meetings scheduled with a range of organisations with expertise in the area. We will keep people posted via the blog and also at the Community Meetings.
There will be no meeting next week due to Good Friday and I will post the location of the next meeting on the Blog and also via the Shire Newsletter.
Have a great weekend, I will be in town for the next few days and will keep posting updates. Feel free to grab me if there are things that you want covered.
Cr Sally Abbott Smith, Rob Croxford and Howard Paix from the Murrindindi Shire spoke to the community on a wide range of topics and distributed handouts providing information on issues such as Septic Systems, Community Services, Communication and other topics.
The Department of Primary Industry provided an update on assistance for fencing which has been a major issue for many people affected by the fires, particularly farmers and primary producers.
Grocon have commenced clearance work in the area and have set up teams for Long Gully Rd, Creekside, Riverside and Silver Creek/Silver Parrot Rd. To date 13 properties have been cleared and there are more than 200 to go; it is good to see the process has commenced.
The Community Committee gave an update on the Flowerdale Relief Fund. The money raised will be distributed through coordination with the existing community groups such as CFA, Community House, Youth Group, Kindergarten and School. (I am sure there are more groups and they will also be involved). The money will be focused on providing community facilities.
A brief update was given on the Sustainable Town initiative and the information gathering process will start in earnest next week with meetings scheduled with a range of organisations with expertise in the area. We will keep people posted via the blog and also at the Community Meetings.
There will be no meeting next week due to Good Friday and I will post the location of the next meeting on the Blog and also via the Shire Newsletter.
Have a great weekend, I will be in town for the next few days and will keep posting updates. Feel free to grab me if there are things that you want covered.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Temporary Village powers ahead
Things at the temporary village are bedding down fast. We now have power to the site so we can reduce reliance on generators. In addition work on the road has started so we will be in good shape for site access during winter, if/when it rains.
Telstra has put in a comms tower and a TV repeater so we have good communications infrastructre on the site combined with wireless internet access. A big thanks for Telstra for the work they have done.
Telstra Technicians on the job
The new tower stands proudly next to the clubrooms on the Rec Reserve
The committment for 24 units has been made and they are being built quickly. We also have the portable chalets which can provide good quality housing for Flowerdale residents that have been displaced. Contact DHS at the Services Hub if you wish to get your name on the list for accommodation in the Village.
We have arrangements in place for furnishing both the Flat Pack units and Chalets so as people move in all of the required furniture will be in place.
A communal kitchen is being set up for people living in the chalets (they don't have kitchens), and all of the Flat Pack units have cooking facilities.
The residents that are living in the Village have all been very happy with the heating, which is a good sign heading into winter. All of the chalets and units have bathrooms and toilets. They are fully plumbed and the necessary plumbng/water infrastructure is set up on site.
And finally for a bit of fun there will be an Easter Egg hunt on Easter Saturday at the village so if you have kids put it in the calendar. Will find out the time and post it.
I am also trying to get a plan of the Village in a picture format so i can put it on the blog. I am a bit technologically challenged by this task but have passed it onto someone who will do it in a snap and will get it up soon.
Telstra has put in a comms tower and a TV repeater so we have good communications infrastructre on the site combined with wireless internet access. A big thanks for Telstra for the work they have done.
Telstra Technicians on the job
The new tower stands proudly next to the clubrooms on the Rec Reserve
The committment for 24 units has been made and they are being built quickly. We also have the portable chalets which can provide good quality housing for Flowerdale residents that have been displaced. Contact DHS at the Services Hub if you wish to get your name on the list for accommodation in the Village.
We have arrangements in place for furnishing both the Flat Pack units and Chalets so as people move in all of the required furniture will be in place.
A communal kitchen is being set up for people living in the chalets (they don't have kitchens), and all of the Flat Pack units have cooking facilities.
The residents that are living in the Village have all been very happy with the heating, which is a good sign heading into winter. All of the chalets and units have bathrooms and toilets. They are fully plumbed and the necessary plumbng/water infrastructure is set up on site.
And finally for a bit of fun there will be an Easter Egg hunt on Easter Saturday at the village so if you have kids put it in the calendar. Will find out the time and post it.
I am also trying to get a plan of the Village in a picture format so i can put it on the blog. I am a bit technologically challenged by this task but have passed it onto someone who will do it in a snap and will get it up soon.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Getting ready for the road ahead
Next week will be a big one for Flowerdale. With the Temporary Village continuing to grow and the operational side bedding down we are now looking to the future.
The Community Committee is making contact with a range of organisations to get an understanding of the options for the community going forward. The information gathered will be presented back to the community for input. We are also seeking input from the community as to the issues or opportunities that they want covered so we can make the necessary contacts. The Community Committee will not make the decisions, this will be done through the community meetings. At this stage it is an information gathering process to ensure the community knows what the options are and have the right amount of knowledge to make decisions going forward.
We have started the process of getting childcare in place and are liaising with the Shire of Murrindindi to put something in place quickly. We are also working with Community House to look at potential future options.
We are meeting with VBRRA on Monday to get a better idea of its view of what will happen in the longer term which will be reported back to the community.
We will also be meeting with the Australian Childrens Trust, the foundation of Andrew Forrest, to see how we can work with them for the longer term.
The Peter Cosgrove visit will also give us valuable insight into planning for the future based on his experience in Disaster Management and Recovery.
We will also be talking to some of the Corporations and Philanthropic Groups that have expressed their interest in helping out in the longer term. The amount of support out there for Flowerdale is amazing. Everyone we talk to is keen to help.
We encourage everyone to attend the Community meeting on Friday to provide input and direction to the Community Committee, as this process needs to be driven by the community to make it work.
The Community Committee is making contact with a range of organisations to get an understanding of the options for the community going forward. The information gathered will be presented back to the community for input. We are also seeking input from the community as to the issues or opportunities that they want covered so we can make the necessary contacts. The Community Committee will not make the decisions, this will be done through the community meetings. At this stage it is an information gathering process to ensure the community knows what the options are and have the right amount of knowledge to make decisions going forward.
We have started the process of getting childcare in place and are liaising with the Shire of Murrindindi to put something in place quickly. We are also working with Community House to look at potential future options.
We are meeting with VBRRA on Monday to get a better idea of its view of what will happen in the longer term which will be reported back to the community.
We will also be meeting with the Australian Childrens Trust, the foundation of Andrew Forrest, to see how we can work with them for the longer term.
The Peter Cosgrove visit will also give us valuable insight into planning for the future based on his experience in Disaster Management and Recovery.
We will also be talking to some of the Corporations and Philanthropic Groups that have expressed their interest in helping out in the longer term. The amount of support out there for Flowerdale is amazing. Everyone we talk to is keen to help.
We encourage everyone to attend the Community meeting on Friday to provide input and direction to the Community Committee, as this process needs to be driven by the community to make it work.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tennis brings people together
I dropped by the Rec on Sunday afternoon and saw the car park was very full. My first thought was must be a good lunch on today but I walked around the back and the tennis courts were full of people of all ages getting coaching and having a great time.
Jeannette Kamar, one of the Community Committee, and the contact person for the tennis club, has arranged for Tennis Victoria to provide free coaching and the Bendigo Tennis Association and Community have provided racquets and shoes for the community. The tennis club is the only sporting facility available in Flowerdale and the number of players has skyrocketed since the fires.
There were 38 people there for the first coaching session and a big thank you to Stephen Storer from Bendigo for his hard work in providing the coaching.
"Stephen Storer and the junior contingent at the first coaching session"
Jeannette said to me that she believes sport is a fantastic way to bring the community together and also give people a break from the hardships that they are dealing with. She sees this as an important part of the recovery process.
I spoke to a friend, who lost everything in the fires, and had never picked up a tennis racquet in her life. She said she had a fantastic time and was now a tennis convert. She had a great time and was pumped.
The vibe on the courts was great with lots of people really enjoying themselves.
A big thank you to Jeannette, Tennis Victoria and the wider tennis community who have made this happen. Another example of people in the community doing their bit to keep the spirit strong.
If you are a Flowerdalian and want to get involved drop around and have a go, the courts are open all day and racquets and balls are provided. You can also sign up for coaching, the best way is to call Jeannette on 5780 1520.
Jeannette Kamar, one of the Community Committee, and the contact person for the tennis club, has arranged for Tennis Victoria to provide free coaching and the Bendigo Tennis Association and Community have provided racquets and shoes for the community. The tennis club is the only sporting facility available in Flowerdale and the number of players has skyrocketed since the fires.
There were 38 people there for the first coaching session and a big thank you to Stephen Storer from Bendigo for his hard work in providing the coaching.
"Stephen Storer and the junior contingent at the first coaching session"
Jeannette said to me that she believes sport is a fantastic way to bring the community together and also give people a break from the hardships that they are dealing with. She sees this as an important part of the recovery process.
I spoke to a friend, who lost everything in the fires, and had never picked up a tennis racquet in her life. She said she had a fantastic time and was now a tennis convert. She had a great time and was pumped.
The vibe on the courts was great with lots of people really enjoying themselves.
A big thank you to Jeannette, Tennis Victoria and the wider tennis community who have made this happen. Another example of people in the community doing their bit to keep the spirit strong.
If you are a Flowerdalian and want to get involved drop around and have a go, the courts are open all day and racquets and balls are provided. You can also sign up for coaching, the best way is to call Jeannette on 5780 1520.
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