COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan 2020 (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

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COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan 2020 (Endorsed 9 July 2020)
COVID-19
Community Relief and Recovery Plan
              2020

      (Endorsed 9 July 2020)
COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan 2020 (Endorsed 9 July 2020)
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Contents
Background: ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Impacts of Pandemics: ............................................................................................................................ 4
Current Situation:.................................................................................................................................... 5
Purpose and Scope: ................................................................................................................................ 6
Acknowledgement of Partners: .............................................................................................................. 8
Review and Evaluation: ........................................................................................................................... 9
What is Relief and Recovery? ............................................................................................................... 10
Emergency Management structures: ................................................................................................... 11
   State Control Centre: ........................................................................................................................ 11
   Regional Emergency Management Team: ........................................................................................ 11
   Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee: .............................................................. 11
   Council Recovery Team: .................................................................................................................... 11
   Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee:.............................................................................. 11
Community Relief and Recovery Action Plan: ...................................................................................... 13
APPENDIX 1: COMMUNITY RELIEF AND RECOVERY ACTION PLAN....................................................... 14
1. Pandemic Recovery Support and Service Coordination ................................................................... 14
2. Social and People Recovery .............................................................................................................. 17
3. Economic and Business Relief and Recovery .................................................................................... 28
4. Built Environment Recovery ............................................................................................................. 32
5. Natural Environment Recovery ......................................................................................................... 33
APPENDIX 2: COMMUNITY RESILIENCE GRANTS PROGRAM ................................................................ 34
APPENDIX 3: COMMUNICATION PLAN ................................................................................................. 38

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Background:
A global pandemic caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) was declared by
the World Health Organisation on 11 March 2020. The Australian Government’s Pandemic Plan was
activated on 28 February and the Victorian Government declared a State of Emergency on 16 March
2020. A State Control Centre has been operating since that time.

Under the Emergency Management Manual Victoria (EMMV), the Department of Health and Human
Services is the Control agency for human disease.

The responsibilities for protecting human health in a pandemic is shared between state and local
governments, health and community service providers and emergency management agencies.

Council’s legislated responsibilities to protect public health in emergencies sits within the Local
Government Act 2020, Emergency Management Act 1986, the Emergency Management Act 2013 and
the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008.

There are four stages of pandemic planning:

Stage 1 Before (Planning) – provide information and advice to key stakeholders to reduce the impact
of a pandemic emergency

Stage 2 Before (Activation) – alert, readiness and activate pandemic management plan

Stage 3 During (Response) – assist with preventing transmission, implement control measures, social
distancing, work closures etc
     Mass vaccination
     Maintain essential services
     Business continuity
     Relief

Stage 4 After (Recovery) – support community and recovery

In relation to Relief and Recovery, Council is responsible for coordinating relief requirements to
individuals impacted by an emergency and providing longer-term recovery assistance to the
community.

Prior to the pandemic, the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee was supporting the
response to ongoing dry conditions and drought impacting on local farming families, businesses, and
the wider community.

With the drought persisting, this formal sub-committee of Council’s Municipal Emergency
Management Planning Committee will continue to play a critical role in the longer-term recovery from
the COVID-19 pandemic by also assuming the role of Council’s Community Recovery Committee.

The committee has been expanded to consider the broader implications of the pandemic on the
Gannawarra community across the four recovery environments of Social & People, Economic, Built
and Natural.

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Impacts of Pandemics:
The main impacts of a pandemic on the four key environments of Social and People, Economic, Built
and Natural, as documented in the Gannawarra Pandemic Plan, include:

   Increased levels of uncertainty, fear, and anxiety
   Breakdown in community support mechanisms through isolation in homes
   Increased numbers of vulnerable people either through direct health impacts or indirect impacts
    such as poorer mental health, increased family violence, increased alcohol consumption, and
    other vulnerabilities
   High workforce absenteeism, either through direct health impacts or indirect such as school and
    childcare closures or through fear or other vulnerabilities
   Widespread economic disruption through business closures, part closures and/or unemployment,
    along with reduction in tourism and associated decline in local and visitor spend
   Built environment impacts to other essential services such as schools, hospitals, emergency
    services and commercial and retail businesses
   Reduced liveability

To date, all the above impacts have occurred and continue to occur across Victoria and Australia as
government interventions continue to be aimed at reducing and slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Furthermore, these interventions are aimed at supporting the ability of health services to effectively
respond by “flattening the curve” of COVID-19 cases and to prevent deaths.

In addition to the above documented impacts, the following impacts have been observed during the
COVID-19 Pandemic:

   Increased divide for those that use technology and have reliable internet access compared to
    those that do not, particularly the elderly and outlying rural residents
   Multiple and compounding health impacts, including exacerbated chronic disease and poorer
    management by less attendance at GPs and health services
   Poorer nutrition outcomes being directly aligned to lower socio-economic status
   Unprecedented unemployment levels, particularly for casual workforce with young people
    particularly vulnerable
   Significant disadvantage for those undertaking further education away from rural areas, again
    young people are particularly vulnerable

Council’s external services such as community care, children services, libraries and swimming pools
have been reduced or closed proportionately to the level of response required to protect vulnerable
clients, community members more broadly, volunteers and council staff. These service reductions or
closures have either been decisions of the organisation or forced closures through government
directives.

Council services impacted include the closures of libraries, swimming pools, visitor information
services, face to face customer service and closures and booking cancellations for public indoor and
outdoor facilities. The closures or part-closures have also affected local businesses that Council
regulates such as food premises (cafes, hotels, clubs, restaurants), health premises (beauty therapists,
tattooists, accommodation), and caravan parks (including camping grounds).

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Current Situation:
In response to the pandemic, actions were taken by the Commonwealth and State governments to
enforce restrictions and bans to reduce exposure to the COVID-19 virus and stop its spread to the
wider population.

These restrictions were implemented swiftly. The Gannawarra community has to varying levels
experienced social, emotional, physical and economic upheaval as a result of the COVID-19
pandemic.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths across Australia has remained relatively low. There have been
21 deaths in Victoria and 105 across Australia. There have been two confirmed cases in the
Gannawarra Shire, both of which are now listed as having recovered (figures current as of 6 July 2020).

Stage 3 restrictions were in place across Victoria through to 12 May 2020. On 22 June 2020 restrictions
eased and some additional business activity resumed. The State of Emergency in Victoria has been
extended and a return to pre-pandemic life is some months away.

Efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic through a mass vaccination program is not possible with no
identified vaccine available. It is unknown at this stage when or if a COVID-19 vaccine may be
developed.

During times of adversity, rural communities have enormous capacity to increase in strength and work
closely together to protect one another and the community from outside influences and impacts.

Our Gannawarra communities are resilient and strong. History has shown that they have a
demonstrated capacity to work in collaboration to protect one and other and the community both
during and in recovering from adverse events. Research indicates that there is a strong link between
the strength of the community (social capital) and its ability to manage and respond to change.

The Gannawarra Shire is in Northern Victoria and has an estimated population of 10,472 (as of 30 June
2019). The northern part of the municipality is bordered by the Murray River. Kerang, Cohuna, and
Koondrook are the larger townships in the shire with Leitchville, Quambatook, Murrabit, Lake Charm,
Lalbert, Macorna, and Mystic Park making up smaller townships and districts in the shire.

Despite significant challenges of rural living with increasing uncertainty surrounding varying
agricultural industries and the flow on impacts of this locally as well as cyclic episodes of droughts and
floods and now the pandemic, the Gannawarra community has good reason to have optimism for the
future.

Communities within the Gannawarra are strong and connected. They are vibrant and enterprising and
display high levels of community spirit. Gannawarra communities have a history of volunteering which
adds to important social capital.

Support and encouragement of existing community programs and working in partnership with
communities to develop new opportunities are therefore major priorities of this COVID-19 Community
Relief and Recovery Plan.

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Purpose and Scope:
This Gannawarra Shire Council COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan is overarched by the
Gannawarra Municipal Emergency Management Plan (MEMP) and Gannawarra Influenza Pandemic
Plan. This plan also supports the implementation of the Victorian State Relief Plan for COVID–19.

The purpose of the Gannawarra COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan is to provide local
level guidance to community relief and recovery planning related to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

It sets in place a framework for working in partnership with a range of other government, service and
community organisations to ensure that longer-term recovery is prioritised so that the community can
return to some level of functionality when the pandemic is over and it is safe to do so.

Local government takes the lead in delivering ‘on the ground’ relief and recovery services. While many
impacts from an emergency will be visible, there are far reaching psychological, health and economic
consequences to the community that must be addressed that are not as easily identified.

The Gannawarra Shire Council COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan has been developed to
guide the following:
1. Pandemic Recovery Support and Service Coordination:
     Supporting coordination of agencies, resource planning, and implementation of relief and
        recovery services
     Engaging communities in decision making
     Providing a framework for information sharing and communication

2. Social and People Recovery:
    Maintaining social links within communities
    Promoting social inclusion and equity
    Promoting healthy communities and improved mental health and wellbeing
    Improving local food systems to reduce food insecurity
    Implementing initiatives that support families, children, and young people
    Supporting initiatives that lead to safer and more resilient communities

3. Economic and Business Relief and Recovery:
     Facilitating assistance with the range of Commonwealth and State Government support
       services
     Developing assistance packages for Council’s leasehold tenants
     Implementing a range of business development programs aimed at filling vacant premises
     Advocating for funding to support projects that support job growth and creation
     Undertaking marketing programs to support business recovery
     Facilitating a range of skills training for the business community
     Maintaining strong connections with business leaders in the community
     Restoring and building local economies including commercial, retail, tourism, and events
     Attracting visitors and new residents when it is safe to do so

4. Built Environment Recovery:
    Advocating for government funding to support infrastructure development that supports
       commercial, social and liveability activities
    Advocating for government funding to support infrastructure development that supports job
       growth and creation

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

5. Natural Environment Recovery
    Advocating for government funding to support cost savings and ongoing landscape
      improvements and improved financial viability through environmental initiatives

This COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan is based on the current knowledge of impacts and
potential impacts.

The document will be constantly reviewed as the situation changes and to ensure it remains relevant
to community need.

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Acknowledgement of Partners:
Gannawarra Shire Council acknowledges the following agencies for their involvement in the
development of this Gannawarra COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan:

    Northern District Community Health             Cohuna District Hospital
    Rural Financial Counselling Service            Kerang District Health
    Victorian Council of Churches                  Victoria Police
    Red Cross                                      Mallee District Aboriginal Service
    Department of Health and Human Services        Mallee Family Care
    Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions      Kerang, Cohuna and Quambatook
    Department of Environment, Land, Water          Neighbourhood Houses
     and Planning                                   North Central Catchment Management
    Agriculture Victoria                            Authority
    Murray Dairy                                   Southern Mallee Primary Care Partnership
    Country Fire Authority                         Victorian Farmer’s Federation
    Victoria State Emergency Service               National Centre for Farmer’s Health
    Goulburn Murray Water                          Rural Women’s Network
    Regional Arts Victoria                         Rural Aid
    Regional Development Victoria                  National Drought and North Queensland
                                                     Flood Recovery and Response Agency

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Review and Evaluation:
This Gannawarra COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan is place-based, and outcome driven.

The philosophy is to work with the community, report back to the community and to celebrate
achievements.

The Plan will therefore remain flexible to changing opportunities and the needs of the community as
they arise.

A review of the Plan will be a standing agenda item at each meeting of the Gannawarra Community
Resilience Committee.

The Plan will be evaluated in June 2021. The evaluation will identify the strengths and weaknesses of
the local operational response to the needs of the community.

The Plan will be evaluated by asking the questions – What worked? What did not work? What do we
need to change or adapt for the Plan to work better?

Outcomes will be collected and collated and based on community uptake, participant numbers,
partnerships, link to photos, and record any identified barriers to participation or achievement of
actions.

Outcomes and evaluation will be openly shared between agencies.

Understanding and documenting the role the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee played
in the overall recovery process implemented for the 2020 pandemic is a key factor in learning from,
and improving, the municipalities’ capacity to respond to and recover from an event. It provides
Council with a strategic tool to review and assess the Committee’s performance in planning,
responding to and recovering from these incidents, as well as providing a critical resource bank of
information, such as key learnings, and challenges.

Recommendations detailed in the evaluation will assist in planning and preparedness arrangements
for future emergency incidents to ensure the organisation fosters continuous improvement through
its experiences and lessons learnt for the communities within the Gannawarra Shire.

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

What is Relief and Recovery?
Due to the length of the emergency incident and the direct impact across all of Victoria, response,
relief, and recovery are occurring simultaneously over an extended period.

The State Emergency Relief Plan for COVID-19 defines emergency relief as the provision of ‘relief at
place’ to meet essential needs of individuals who are subject to mandatory quarantine and who are
unable to rely on their social networks for support.

Broader established relief referred to as ‘relief in community’ is the delivery of relief to meet the
ongoing needs of individuals who have previously been or who have become newly vulnerable due to
isolation or economic hardship.

In an emergency management context, the Department of Health and Human Services is the lead
agency for relief across Victoria.

Under version 4 of the State Relief Plan Council has increased responsibilities for the delivery of relief
to community members.

Any requests for relief received by the State Control Centre via the COVID-19 state-wide hotline will
be disseminated to local government authorities for follow up. The Municipal Recovery Manager at
Gannawarra Shire Council will receive and action any referrals as well as complete weekly reporting
and any relevant escalation in accordance with the State Relief Plan.

While relief is providing for immediate needs, recovery is the return of individuals and communities
to a normal level of functioning. Recovery refers to those programs that assist affected people to
rebuild their homes, lives, and services and to strengthen their capacity to cope with future disasters.

Recovery services support emergency-affected persons in the reconstruction of the physical
infrastructure and restoration of emotional, social, economic, and physical wellbeing.

Recovery planning is a partnership between the affected community, the broader community,
governments, non-government agencies and the private sector. In an emergency management
context, the Department of Health and Human Services is the lead agency for recovery across Victoria.

Council will work closely with the Department of Health and Human Services to provide recovery
coordination at a local level, accurate and timely information to the community and represent the
views and opinions of the local community to regional, state and commonwealth organisations.

This Gannawarra COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan has been formulated under the
direction of the Gannawarra Municipal Emergency Management Plan. Recovery arrangements are in
accordance with Part 6 – Recovery Arrangements, of the Gannawarra Municipal Emergency
Management Plan.

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Emergency Management structures:
A pandemic constitutes a Class 2 emergency under the Emergency Management Manual Victoria.

A State of Emergency has been in place in Victoria since 16 March 2020.

The diagram below outlines the Emergency Management structures in place.

These structures will support the implementation of this Gannawarra COVID-19 Community Relief and
Recovery Plan.

State Control Centre:
The State Control Centre is managing the incident at a state level and under emergency management
arrangements the Department of Health and Human Services is the Control agency.

Regional Emergency Management Team:
The Regional Emergency Management Team (REMT) is meeting at a regional level and being led by a
Regional Controller (Country Fire Authority) in partnership with a Regional Emergency Response
Coordinator (Victoria Police), Department of Health and Human Services and Health Controller
(Ambulance Victoria). Weekly meetings provide a situation update for the Loddon Mallee Region and
provide up to date information and escalation to the State Control Centre. Council is represented on
the Regional Emergency Management Team (REMT). A Loddon Mallee Regional Relief Meeting is also
being held weekly to focus on food, material relief as well as recovery processes at a state and local
government levels. The Department of Health and Human Services is coordinating the Regional Relief
meetings.

Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee:
All emergency management services are represented on the Municipal Emergency Management
Planning Committee (MEMPC) and are charged with the overall emergency management planning for
Gannawarra Shire. The MEMPC last met in July 2020.

Council Recovery Team:
Council’s internal recovery team includes Director Community Wellbeing, Manager of Governance,
Manager Community Health, Manager Community Engagement, Manager Economic Development,
and Manager Human Resources. This cross functional team will ensure that both the Business
Continuity Plan and Relief and Recovery Plans are developed, implemented, and reviewed.

Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee:
The Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee will act as Council’s Community Recovery
Committee. The committee was reconvened in late 2018 in response to ongoing dry conditions and
then drought. The Gannawarra Committee Resilience Committee has membership representation
from across emergency management, state government, health, and community services as well as
relevant philanthropic organisations and not for profits. The Committee’s Terms of Reference have
been reviewed to consider the impacts and recovery activities of COVID-19 and incorporate new
membership to support the economic and business recovery efforts critical in response to COVID -19.

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

                                   State Control Centre (DHHS)

        Regional Emergency Management Team (DHHS)

   Municipal Emergency Management Committee (GSC)
                                                   Council Recovery Team (GSC)

                                 Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee (GSC)

          Community Recovery                                Business Recovery                   Health Recovery

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

Community Relief and Recovery Action Plan:
A Community Relief and Recovery Action Plan has been included as Appendix 1. This plan provides a framework for the coordination of relief and recovery planning across the
municipality.

The implementation of this Community Relief and Recovery Action Plan will be overseen by the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee.

Recovery Coordination has been divided across the four key Recovery environments: Social & People, Economic, Built and Natural.

        Social &
                                       Economic                               Built                        Natural
         People
Implementation of the Community Relief and Recovery Action Plan will require external resources to ensure its effectiveness. Resources will be required to financially support
actions included in the Community Relief and Recovery Action Plan and for human resources to support the management, coordination, and implementation of these actions
across Gannawarra communities. Advocacy from Council and the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee will be paramount to ensure localised investment can be directed
to key initiatives outlined in the Action Plan.

Council continues to advocate for financial support to establish a coordination role to drive the implementation of the Action Plan, with a secondary role in community engagement
also sought to build relationships with community groups and small businesses throughout the Gannawarra Shire
significantly affected by the pandemic.

In addition to the four key recovery environments, the Community Relief and Recovery Action Plan for Gannawarra Shire
also outlines actions required to support pandemic recovery and service coordination. This will ensure support for the
partnership approach in delivering this Relief and Recovery Action Plan as well as identifying action areas where advocacy
is required to support the Gannawarra community.

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

APPENDIX 1: COMMUNITY RELIEF AND RECOVERY ACTION PLAN

1. Pandemic Recovery Support and Service Coordination
  Priority                       Action                      Action                                 Progress                  Potential      Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                  No.                                                                                         Partnerships
                                                                                         Complete      Planning      Not
                                                                                                      Underway    Commenced
  Support coordination of        001      Activate and support the Gannawarra                                                 GSC            June 2020   Information sharing /partnership building
  agencies, resource planning,            Recovery Committee                                                                  Community                  Information flow through to Council and Regional Recovery
  and implementation of                                                                                                       Resilience                 Committee
  relief and recovery services                                                                                                Committee                  Invite potential members to meetings
                                                                                                                                                         Identify and discuss resource and recovery issues
                                                                                                                                                         Provide feedback to Council and state government agencies
                                                                                                                                                         Establish specialist sub-committees to focus on People/Social,
                                                                                                                                                         Economic, Built, Natural – discussed by committee 9/7
                                 002      Develop a Gannawarra COVID-19                                                       GSC                        Draft action plan developed
                                          Community Relief and Recovery Plan                                                  Community                  Survey community and provide opportunity for input – two
                                          providing the opportunity for the voice of                                          Resilience                 surveys released 7/7 one for community members the other for
                                          community into the plan                                                             Committee                  community groups/organisations. Responses by 7/8
                                                                                                                                                         Return the municipality to a normal level of functioning by
                                                                                                                                                         documenting recovery activities and putting in place an action
                                                                                                                                                         plan to meet the needs of the community in an appropriate and
                                                                                                                                                         timely manner
                                 003      Seek funding to support Recovery support                                            GSC            2020-2022   Officers employed
                                          officers for a 2-year period to work with                                                                      Effective management, coordination and implementation of
                                          community to develop community driven                                                                          actions contained within the Community Relief and Recovery
                                          solutions that support community resilience                                                                    Action Plan
                                          into the future                                                                                                Application developed and outcome pending 9/7
                                 004      Activate and support a                                                              GSC                        Ensure that affected residents and communities have access to
                                          Gannawarra Recovery Centre                                                                                     information and resources to assist with recovery process.
                                                                                                                                                         A Virtual Recovery Centre has been established on Council’s
                                                                                                                                                         website. Review and expanded 1/7
                                 005      Generate additional partnerships to explore                                         GSC                        eg. Mallee Sports Assembly, Make a Change Australia, Sport and
                                          long-term recovery opportunities                                                                               Recreation Victoria, Small Business Victoria, Services Australia
                                                                                                                                                         etc

                                 006      Identify at-risk groups or potential impacts                                        GSC                        Emerging issues could include young people, community sports
                                                                                                                                                         clubs, mental health, family violence, alcohol consumption,
                                                                                                                                                         food security, volunteer organisations, homeless, indigenous,
                                                                                                                                                         older adults, seniors, casual workforce, and seasonal workers

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 1.          Pandemic Recovery Support and Service Coordination
  Priority                       Action                      Action                                Progress                  Potential      Timeline      Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                  No.                                                                                        Partnerships
                                                                                        Complete      Planning      Not
                                                                                                     Underway    Commenced
  Support coordination of        007      Develop a structure to ensure referrals for                                        GSC                          $50,000 DHHS Community Connector funding
  agencies, resource planning,            community support from DHHS for relief                                                                          Develop Community Connector program with appropriate
  and implementation of                   services are managed effectively                                                                                referral pathways and a robust, welcoming, and inclusive
  relief and recovery services                                                                                                                            community response
                                                                                                                                                          Funding agreement signed, working through details 9/7
                                 008      Oversee the administration of Round 1-3 of                                         GSC            15 Dec 2020   Support community-led projects and activity
                                          the Gannawarra Community Resilience                                                                             Report to Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee on
                                          Action Plan                                                                                                     progress and outcomes
                                                                                                                                                          Celebrate and promote success of funded projects
                                                                                                                                                          Round 3 awarded by committee 9/7
                                                                                                                                                          All project due for completion by 15 December 2020
                                                                                                                                                          Recipients listed in the Gannawarra COVID-19 Relief and
                                                                                                                                                          Recovery Action Plan (Appendix 2)
                                 009      Advocate for funding to support a Round 4                                          GSC                          Further support community-led projects and activity which
                                          of the Gannawarra Community Resilience                                                                          support the implementation of key priorities contained within
                                          Grants Program                                                                                                  the Gannawarra COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Action Plan

                                 010      Continue to support ongoing work as part of                                        NDCH                         Group has been meeting weekly throughout pandemic
                                          the established Gannawarra Health Services                                         MDAS                         Partnerships
                                          Partnership                                                                        CDH                          Planning
                                                                                                                             KDH                          Consistent messaging
                                                                                                                             GSC                          Advocacy for improvement of service provision for rural
                                                                                                                                                          communities such as ongoing access to Telehealth and
                                                                                                                                                          Pathology
                                 011      Continue to support a COVID-19 Screening                                           NDCH                         Established 27 April 2020
                                          and Assessment Clinic for Gannawarra                                               MDAS                         Marketing and promotion
                                                                                                                             CDH                          Daily reporting of numbers attending
                                                                                                                             KDH                          Access to local service for testing
                                                                                                                             GSC                          Public health and safety
                                                                                                                                                          Prompt response to future positive cases detected

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 1.          Pandemic Recovery Support and Service Coordination
  Priority                      Action                     Action                                Progress                  Potential      Timeline   Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                 No.                                                                                       Partnerships
                                                                                      Complete      Planning      Not
                                                                                                   Underway    Commenced
  Engagement of                 012      Identify and prioritise community needs by                                        GSC                       Include schools, neighbourhood houses, men’s sheds,
  communities in decision                establishing a two-way communication                                                                        progress/development groups, sporting, volunteer groups,
  making, information sharing            framework with all Gannawarra                                                                               churches, service clubs, youth groups, senior citizens,
  and communication                      communities and ensure support reaches                                                                      playgroups etc
                                         those in greatest need
                                013      Ensure consistent messaging across                                                GSC/           Ongoing    Gannawarra Connect newsletter (funded by GSC) – produced
                                         communities                                                                       NDCH                      May, June, July/August 2020
                                                                                                                                                     Cross promote activities from other agencies
                                                                                                                                                     Access to support services
                                                                                                                                                     Increasing feeling of safety as restrictions ease
                                                                                                                                                     Looking out for neighbours
                                                                                                                                                     Develop a library of valuable webinars for community to
                                                                                                                                                     reference such as Mental Health, Rural Aid Community
                                                                                                                                                     Buildings, Business Victoria
                                                                                                                                                     NDCH to continue to lead, on behalf of the partners, a one
                                                                                                                                                     pager Health and Community Services update on various media
                                                                                                                                                     platforms to compliment the above themes (financial support
                                                                                                                                                     for this one pager is being sought from NDCH)
                                                                                                                                                     Gannawarra and North Loddon Services and Support one-pager
                                014      Offer financial support to community                                              GSC            Ongoing    Place based approach to information sharing
                                         newsletters                                                                                                 Financial viability and sustainability of community-based
                                                                                                                                                     newsletters
                                                                                                                                                     Support for volunteers
                                015      Build confidence of communities by                                                GSC            Ongoing    This is across all agencies and at community level – eg.
                                         providing COVID-Safe environments and                                                                       community gyms, program recommencement, health service
                                         taking small steps to re-open slowly                                                                        access, Council services like libraries and pools, community
                                                                                                                                                     services such as neighbourhood houses and men’s sheds, senior
                                                                                                                                                     citizen groups, playgroups, community events
                                                                                                                                                     Share guidelines and safety measures with wider community to
                                                                                                                                                     build confidence for community members to return to
                                                                                                                                                     participation
                                                                                                                                                     GSC to offer Environmental Health assistance and advice
                                                                                                                                                     Develop a checklist for re-opening community meetings,
                                                                                                                                                     activities, events etc.

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Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

2. Social and People Recovery
  Priority                       Action                         Action                                       Progress               Potential          Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                  No.                                                                                               Partnerships
                                                                                                 Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                                            Underway    Commenced
  Maintain social links within   016      Night off the farm 2020 - coordinate and fund an                                          NDCH Tactics for   By 15 Dec   $5,000 funding approved through Stage 1 Gannawarra Federal
  communities and promote                 event or series of events that improve farmer                                             Tough Times        2020        Government Drought Communities Programme
  social inclusion and equity             and community connectedness                                                               Regional Arts                  Funding paid to NDCH to implement
                                                                                                                                    Victoria
                                 017      Facilitate regular meetings between GSC, NDCH                                             GSC                            Provide increased services, programs and placed based support
                                          and neighbourhood houses to build                                                         NDCH                           via neighbourhood houses to individual communities
                                          partnerships, ideas and sharing of resources                                              DHHS                           Gannawarra has 3 neighbourhood houses – Kerang, Cohuna,
                                                                                                                                                                   and Quambatook - funded by DHHS – have been meeting
                                                                                                                                                                   weekly with GSC and NDCH throughout pandemic
                                                                                                                                                                   Consider expanding neighbourhood house model to other small
                                                                                                                                                                   towns where there is a community need
                                                                                                                                                                   Facilitate mentoring/buddying with existing houses
                                 018      Provide opportunities for increased services,                                             NDCH                           Advocate for coordination support/funding to provide support
                                          programs and placed based support that Men’s                                              GSC                            for volunteer led sheds
                                          Sheds can provide to individual communities                                               DHHS                           Facilitate partnerships and sharing of resources
                                                                                                                                                                   Increase long-term sustainability
                                                                                                                                                                   Men’s Sheds Kerang, Cohuna, Quambatook, Leitchville,
                                                                                                                                                                   Murrabit, Koondrook
                                 019      Support access to physical activity for older                                             GSC                            Explore ongoing sustainable partnerships with private fitness
                                          adults by implementing the ‘Active at Any Age’                                                                           providers to boost economic activity and business viability
                                          program                                                                                                                  Support social connection and health and wellbeing outcomes
                                                                                                                                                                   for older adults
                                 020      Encourage participation in physical activity for all                                      GSC                            Develop strategy to support clubs to attract participants for
                                          residents, particularly in team sports                                                                                   2020-21 sporting seasons

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            17
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                       Action                         Action                                    Progress               Potential        Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                  No.                                                                                            Partnerships
                                                                                              Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                                         Underway    Commenced
  Maintain social links within   021      Continue the journey to Aboriginal and Torres                                          GSC              By 15 Dec   $10,000 funding approved through Stage 1 Gannawarra Federal
  communities and promote                 Strait Islander Reconciliation by identifying and                                      NDCH             2020        Government Drought Communities Programme
  social inclusion and equity             implementing key aspects for Council’s Draft                                           Kerang Elders
  (Continued)                             Reconciliation Action Plan
                                 022      Stimulate a future event based on lights and                                           GSC              By 15 Dec   $20,000 funding approved through Stage 1 Gannawarra Federal
                                          projection for Kerang through building capacity                                        Kerang schools   2020        Government Drought Communities Programme
                                          within community through two school-based                                              Regional Arts                Solar and sustainability theme
                                          workshops and purchase of equipment                                                    Victoria                     Community engagement undertaken and workshops booked
                                                                                                                                                              Potential partnership with neighbourhood house?
                                                                                                                                                              Hidden Creatures Workshop booked for Kerang Primary School
                                                                                                                                                              6/10/20
                                                                                                                                                              Little Projector Company Workshop to be confirmed and
                                                                                                                                                              purchase of equipment to support
                                 023      Stimulate the use the Arts as a Recovery and                                           GSC              Various     Explore small creative projects such as storytelling,
                                          Community Resilience tool and capture the story                                        NDCH                         photography, art to capture the lived experience of COVID-19
                                          of the lived experience of COVID-19                                                    Regional Arts                Develop Gannawarra Arts and Culture Strategy
                                                                                                                                 Victoria                     Explore Arts Trail (included in GSC Budget)
                                                                                                                                                              ACRE project involvement by GSC
                                                                                                                                                              Continued implementation of Performing Arts Program for
                                                                                                                                                              Gannawarra in partnership with Creative Victoria/Regional Arts
                                                                                                                                                              Victoria
                                                                                                                                                              Social connectedness and mental health and wellbeing
                                                                                                                                                              outcomes for community
                                                                                                                                                              Connection to place and space to enhance sense of belonging
                                                                                                                                                              within communities

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        18
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                   Action                       Action                                  Progress                Potential         Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                              No.                                                                                         Partnerships
                                                                                       Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                                  Underway    Commenced
  Promote healthy            024      Continue to implement the Tactics for Tough                                         NDCH Tactics      December    Seek to improve mental health and resilience at individual and
  communities and improved            Times Program                                                                       for Tough Times   2020        community level
  mental health and                                                                                                                                     $100,000 DHHS funding to GSC through Drought (Mental
  wellbeing                                                                                                                                             Health) Support Package 2020/2021. Includes $30,000
                                                                                                                                                        Coordination (GSC), $50,000 Counselling (TBC), $20,000
                                                                                                                                                        Training and Events (TBC)
                             025      Support further implementation of the Five                                          GLAM              Ongoing     A marketing package/portal of localised designs, merchandise
                                      Ways to Wellbeing message across the                                                                              and messages that can be used across Gannawarra
                                      Gannawarra Shire                                                                                                  GLAM to lead Five Ways to Wellbeing work
                             026      Mental Health First Aid Training                                                    NDCH              By 15 Dec   $2,000 funding approved through Stage 1 Gannawarra Federal
                                                                                                                                            2020        Government Drought Communities Programme
                                                                                                                                                        Funding paid to NDCH to implement
                             027      Mentoring Farmers Program - activating rural                                        NDCH Tactics      2020 and    $150,000 estimate required
                                      outreach in Gannawarra; employing farmers to                                        for Tough Times   beyond      Advocate to State Government for support
                                      support farmers through the tough times
                             028      Continue to support Agri Safe Clinic –                                              NDCH              By 15 Dec   Additional $20,000 funding approved through Stage 1
                                      evidence-based model developed by Deakin                                            National Centre   2020        Gannawarra Federal Government Drought Communities
                                      University. 90 minute health assessment and                                         for Farmers                   Programme
                                      screening clinic. Rural workforce and families                                      Health                        Funding paid to NDCH to implement
                                      focused                                                                                                           Equipment purchased, program promoted, clinics commenced
                                                                                                                                                        pre-COVID-19
                             029      Farmer’s Boot Camp – eg 8-week program -                                            NDCH              By 15       $15,000 funding included in Stage 2 Gannawarra Federal
                                      use either Active Farmers model or design                                           GSC               December    Government Drought Communities Programme proposal
                                      own model. Link with Agri Safe Clinic and                                                             2020        Funding offered to NDCH to implement
                                      private business that already conduct physical
                                      activity programs for men
                             030      Men’s Health and Wellbeing events with                                              GSC               June 2021   Host 3 events in Gannawarra
                                      Dr. Stephen Carroll                                                                 NDCH                          Invite men from across Gannawarra Shire to participate
                                                                                                                          Barham                        $5,000 estimate required – GSC MERP Funding (TBC)
                                                                                                                          Community                     Arrangements were in place pre-COVID-19. Will be rescheduled
                                                                                                                          Health

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   19
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                   Action                      Action                                Progress                Potential      Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                              No.                                                                                      Partnerships
                                                                                    Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                               Underway    Commenced
  Promote healthy            031      Support women’s health and wellbeing events                                      NDCH           Women’s     $5,000 FRRR Gardiner Foundation grant for workshop in
  communities and improved            Coincide with Women’s Health Week                                                GSC            Health      Cohuna – partnership between Council, NDCH and Cohuna
  mental health and                                                                                                                   Week runs   District Hospital plus community representative. Timing – does
  wellbeing                                                                                                                           from 7-11   not have to be in Women’s Health Week 2020
  (Continued)                                                                                                                         September   Women in the Warra – health promotion campaign Women’s
                                                                                                                                      2020        Health Week 2020 $5,000 NDCH Community Resilience Grant
                             032      Pursue funding to continue to support the                                        GSC                        Mental Health is one of the four identified priorities of the BLG
                                      collective focus of the Buloke, Loddon and                                       NDCH                       Health Needs Analysis Implementation Plan
                                      Gannawarra Services Network, especially in                                       KDH                        Support applications to FRRR and others
                                      the priority area of Mental Health                                               CDH
                             033      Mental Health Supports – Community                                               NDCH                       Raise community awareness around supports for Counselling,
                                      Awareness                                                                                                   including Alcohol and other Drug, generalist Psychological
                                                                                                                                                  Treatment Services, Youth and Clinical Care coordination are
                                                                                                                                                  also available via telehealth, health direct and ZOOM, and for
                                                                                                                                                  critical needs, face to face appointments
                                                                                                                                                  Promote to agencies the various platforms to receive care such
                                                                                                                                                  as the Southern Mallee PCP Mental Health and Related Services
                                                                                                                                                  (Entry & Eligibility Criteria) Resource – Gannawarra
                                                                                                                                                  Wellbeing Matters to us all in Gannawarra poster

                                                                                                                                                                                                                20
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                     Action                      Action                                Progress                Potential        Timeline   Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                No.                                                                                      Partnerships
                                                                                      Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                                 Underway    Commenced
  Improve local food systems   034      Develop a Gannawarra Healthy Food and Drink                                      GSC                         Increase partnership capacity for assessing and changing local
  to improve access to                  Policy Action Plan to encourage healthy                                          Links to GLAM               food systems
  healthy food and reduce               change                                                                           Achievement                 Include internal support for capacity building at organisation
  food insecurity                                                                                                        Program                     level (People and Culture training)
                                                                                                                         Nutrition                   Increase access to drinking water fountains
                                                                                                                         Australia                   Assess and improve nutritional content of food donations
                                                                                                                         Healthy Eating              Increase access to healthier options in food services
                                                                                                                         Advisory
                                                                                                                         Service
                               035      Ensure that every community has access to a                                      GSC              Ongoing    Community gardens located at Leitchville, Murrabit, Lake
                                        high-quality community ‘food’ garden to                                          Links to GLAM               Charm, Kerang.
                                        support mental health, social connectedness                                      NDCH                        Kerang Primary School, Koondrook Primary School, Murrabit
                                        and access to free and fresh fruit and                                           KDH                         Group School have formal Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
                                        vegetables                                                                                                   programs operating
                                                                                                                                                     Leitchville, Lake Charm, St. Josephs and Kerang Christian have
                                                                                                                                                     food gardens within the school grounds
                                                                                                                                                     All in varying condition - need to be assessed and supported
                                                                                                                                                     Cohuna Neighbourhood House funded to develop Stage 1 of an
                                                                                                                                                     All Abilities Community Garden through the Council’s Annual
                                                                                                                                                     Community Grants Program 2020
                               036      Map Food Security options across Gannawarra                                      GLAM             Ongoing    Develop an information sheet that can be distributed so that
                                        Shire including access to Emergency Food                                                                     the community is aware of local food security options –
                                        Relief, Community Edible Gardens, Community                                                                  Gannawarra & North Loddon Services and Supports one pager
                                        kitchen programs, and Social Meals and                                                                       distributed July 2020
                                        disseminate information to community and                                                                     St. Vinnies, Kerang
                                        support agencies                                                                                             Kerang and District Community Centre
                                                                                                                                                     Cohuna Neighbourhood House
                                                                                                                                                     Mallee District Aboriginal Service
                                                                                                                                                     Gannawarra Shire Council Social Meals and Meals on Wheels
                                                                                                                                                     Lake Charm Cooking up a Storm Program
                                                                                                                                                     Support for Men’s Cooking Program, Cohuna District Hospital
                                                                                                                                                     Men and Women’s Breakfasts Cohuna –Anglican Church
                                                                                                                                                     NDCH to use School Newsletter inserts to provide information
                                                                                                                                                     to 15 local schools

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 21
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                       Action                      Action                                Progress                Potential       Timeline   Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                  No.                                                                                      Partnerships
                                                                                        Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                                   Underway    Commenced
  Improve local food systems     037      Increase community engagement and                                                GSC             Ongoing    Suggested activity for applications in the Community Resilience
  to improve access to healthy            activities based around edible community                                         Links to GLAM              Grants Program
  food and reduce food                    gardens                                                                          Plan                       Seek a program that can be run across all community and
  insecurity (Continued)                                                                                                   NDCH                       school gardens such as Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden
                                                                                                                           KDH                        Program Local Government membership
                                                                                                                                                      Focus on sustainability, cooking programs, low cost recipes,
                                                                                                                                                      breakfast programs as well as future initiatives needed to
                                                                                                                                                      improve food security
                                                                                                                                                      Explore partnership opportunities with Community Gardens
                                                                                                                                                      Australia
                                 038      Network and develop partnerships around                                                          Ongoing    Explore Food Alliance examples running in other communities
                                          local food systems and stimulate a grow and                                                                 Encourage and support community-led model
                                          share model                                                                                                 Links to business opportunities, food markets and social
                                                                                                                                                      enterprises, showcasing Gannawarra produce/agriculture

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  22
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                     Action                      Action                                  Progress                Potential       Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                No.                                                                                        Partnerships
                                                                                        Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                                   Underway    Commenced
  Implement initiatives that   039      Support participation and expansion of local                                       NDCH            By 15 Dec   $5,000 funding approved through Stage 1 Gannawarra Federal
  better support families,              indigenous youth program Twipen Kwi. Tyipen                                        Regional Arts   2020        Government Drought Communities Programme
  children, and young people            Kwi is an NDCH program that aims to engage                                         Victoria                    Funding paid to NDCH to implement
                                        indigenous school aged children with their
                                        heritage and culture
                               040      Support participation and expansion of local                                       NDCH
                                        Indigenous playgroup Kethawil Pemenguuk.
                                        This is an NDCH program that aims to increase
                                        school readiness and the capacity of families
                                        to support and engage indigenous school aged
                                        children with their heritage and culture
                               041      Support Youth Wellbeing                                                            NDCH                        Develop and distribute a one pager for young people about
                                                                                                                                                       supports in their school, community and online, distribute
                                                                                                                                                       through secondary school platforms. Seek feedback from young
                                                                                                                                                       people prior to and during development to ensure relevance.
                               042      Wellbeing in Schools - Develop and implement                                       NDCH Tactics                Seek funding to deliver a Youth Wellbeing Program using the 5
                                        an in schools’ program on wellbeing and                                            for Tough                   ways to wellbeing. Including a mindfulness and skill
                                        mindfulness                                                                        Times                       development and training the trainer model to increase
                                                                                                                                                       resilience capacity across the community and education sector
                                                                                                                                                       $65,000 estimate required
                                                                                                                                                       Advocate to State Government for support train the trainer
                                                                                                                                                       model
                               043      Distribute Gannawarra Giving Account funds                                         NDCH            By 15 Dec   Gannawarra Giving Account –balance at 8 May – $6,284.00
                                                                                                                           GSC             2020        Additional $10,000 funding approved through Stage 1
                                                                                                                           RFCS                        Gannawarra Federal Government Drought Communities
                                                                                                                                                       Programme to provide support to Vulnerable Children – this
                                                                                                                                                       however cannot be added to the Gannawarra Giving Account as
                                                                                                                                                       programme funding excludes benefits to individuals
                                                                                                                                                       Eligible activities include new programs such as school
                                                                                                                                                       excursions, camps, junior sporting group bus trips and other
                                                                                                                                                       community activities that support children
                                                                                                                                                       Funding paid to NDCH to implement

                                                                                                                                                                                                                23
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                     Action                       Action                                   Progress                Potential       Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                No.                                                                                          Partnerships
                                                                                          Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                                     Underway    Commenced
  Implement initiatives that   044      Youth Activation Events – provide events for                                         NDCH            By 15 Dec   $10,000 funding approved through Stage 1 Gannawarra Federal
  better support families,              young people eg. pool parties, movie nights,                                         GSC             2020        Government Drought Communities Programme plus $3,000 to
  children, and young people            social events, and competitions                                                      YouthWorks                  support Youth Leadership Forum
  (Continued)                                                                                                                Regional Arts               Funding paid to NDCH to implement
                                                                                                                             Victoria
                               045      Support Cohuna Youth Space                                                           NDCH            December    $1,000 funding support provided through GSC Resilience Grant
                                                                                                                             GSC             2020        for 2020
                                                                                                                                                         Funding paid to NDCH to implement
                               046      Big Family Day Out – to run an event or series                                       NDCH            By 15 Dec   $15,000 funding included in Stage 2 Gannawarra Federal
                                        of events aimed at bringing the whole                                                Regional Arts   2020        Government Drought Communities Programme proposal
                                        community together in a family friendly                                              Victoria                    Funding offered to NDCH to implement
                                        environment
                               047      Fishing competitions and Kayak events –                                              NDCH            By 15 Dec   $5,000 funding included in Stage 2 Gannawarra Federal
                                        coordination of events that provide small                                            GSC             2020        Government Drought Communities Programme proposal
                                        communities with a tourism and economic                                                                          Funding offered to NDCH to implement
                                        boost, promote tourism and environmental
                                        assets, and raise funds for community
                                        organisations
                               048      Provide an opportunity for young people to                                           GSC                         Strengthen role of young people and involving them as catalysts
                                        have a voice in decision making, encourage                                           NDCH                        for change in their community
                                        community leadership, volunteering and                                                                           Resource to support youth development and leadership
                                        entrepreneurship training and development                                                                        Develop new Gannawarra Youth Strategy
                                        including support to establish their own                                                                         Establish a Youth Advisory Group
                                        businesses in Gannawarra and determine their                                                                     Encourage and foster partnership approach to support local
                                        own future.                                                                                                      young people
                                                                                                                                                         Strengthen actions around youth engagement and support
                                                                                                                                                         particularly around skate park precincts across Gannawarra
                                                                                                                                                         Shire, including Skate Park redevelopment and enhanced
                                                                                                                                                         community safety measures
                                                                                                                                                         Link to economic outcomes
                               049      Better utilise MyWarra as a virtual youth space                                      GSC                         Engage local young people in MyWarra
                                        for local young people                                                               NDCH                        Further investigate other platforms to engage local young
                                                                                                                                                         people

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    24
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                     Action                      Action                                   Progress                Potential       Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                                No.                                                                                         Partnerships
                                                                                         Complete    Planning      Not
                                                                                                    Underway    Commenced
  Implement initiatives that   050      Support vulnerable families and children                                            Mallee Family               Homeless emergency accommodation response team including
  better support families,              experiencing ongoing disadvantage caused by                                         Care                        access to funding to place clients in temporary hotel
  children, and young people            COVID-19                                                                                                        accommodation to ensure tailored exit pathways.
  (Continued)                                                                                                                                           Mental Health support
                                                                                                                                                        Family Services
                                                                                                                                                        Family Relationship services
                                                                                                                                                        Financial Counselling and Legal Support
                               051      Further develop the In-Home Education                                               GSC                         New program to support vulnerable children in homes with
                                        Support Service to support vulnerable children                                                                  access to technology and support for learning at home
                                                                                                                                                        $121,000 funding received by Council with model being
                                                                                                                                                        implemented
                                                                                                                                                        Program rolled out and promoted June 2020
                               052      Commence the implementation of the Grow                                             GSC             By June     $20,000 DHHS funding support received to support initiatives
                                        Gannawarra project to decrease social and                                           NDCH            2021        that strengthen place-based collective impact initiatives
                                        economic pressures on families and children                                                                     contributing to earlier help and community activation for
                                        as a consequence of COVID-19                                                                                    families and children
                                                                                                                                                        Preliminary meeting July 2020
                               053      Youthrive Program for Gannawarra                                                    GSC             June 2021   $2,750 provided through Council’s Youth Budget for Youthrive
                                                                                                                                                        Victoria to run “Dream Seeds” program for Year 5/6 students.
                                                                                                                                                        Cohuna, Kerang Lake Charm. Program focuses on aspiration,
                                                                                                                                                        resilience, and connection.
                                                                                                                                                        Re-scheduled for September 2020.
                               054      Implement the Safer Together program                                                GSC                         $150,000 funding between Buloke and Gannawarra to share a
                                                                                                                                                        resource for individual emergency planning of vulnerable
                                                                                                                                                        families and children

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 25
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

2.           Social and People Recovery
  Priority                   Action                      Action                                  Progress                 Potential         Timeline    Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                              No.                                                                                         Partnerships
                                                                                      Complete     Planning      Not
                                                                                                  Underway    Commenced
  Safer and more resilient   055      Support communities to define and                                                   GSC                           Work with community to determine actions that will support
  communities                         prioritise recovery needs and activities that                                       Community                     recovery and resilience
                                      will further support resilience building                                            planning groups
                             056      Small town future strategic planning. Seek                                                                        Support to bring community groups together to plan and
                                      funding for a community planning and                                                                              determine their own future
                                      development program across the nine                                                                               Support the review of existing community profiles in the lead-
                                      Gannawarra communities                                                                                            up to the development of the new Council Plan
                             057      Provide opportunities for community-led                                             GSC               June 2020   Support for Community Resilience Grants Program
                                      projects, programs and activities that meet                                         Regional Arts                 $40,000 funding approved as part of Stage 2 Gannawarra
                                      the place-based needs of communities                                                Victoria                      Federal Government Drought Communities Programme for a
                                                                                                                                                        Round 3 of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Grants
                                                                                                                                                        Program.
                                                                                                                                                        15 successful applicants. Funds paid July 2020. Timeline for
                                                                                                                                                        completion of projects 15 Dec 2020. See Appendix 2
                             058      Explore options around a localised                                                  GSC               Dec 2021    Working group established. Options explored. Proposal
                                      leadership/mentoring program                                                        NDCH                          developed. Delayed due to COVID-19
                                                                                                                          AgVic                         $10,000 funding approved through Stage 1 Gannawarra Federal
                                                                                                                          CFA                           Government Drought Communities Programme (funding held
                                                                                                                          LEAD Loddon                   by GSC)
                                                                                                                          Murray
                             059      Implement ‘Let’s Pivot - Resilience Response                                        GSC               June 2021   Program through Make a Change Australia (Bendigo based
                                      Program’                                                                            DELWP - TBC                   social enterprise) tailored to Gannawarra Shire
                                                                                                                                                        $6,000 needed – TBC GSC MERP Funding?
                             060      Implement a community education                                                     CFA                           Community education fire safety
                                      campaign and capacity building initiatives to                                       Ambulance Vic                 Community education first aid
                                      prevent emergencies                                                                 GSC                           Increase public access to defib machines in small communities –
                                                                                                                                                        AV funding Lalbert and Leitchville in 2020
                                                                                                                                                        Identify locations of defib machines for official registration
                                                                                                                                                        Council owned defib machines registered

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   26
Gannawarra Shire Council – COVID-19 Community Relief and Recovery Plan (Endorsed 9 July 2020)

 2.          Social and People Recovery
  Priority                   Action                      Action                                Progress                 Potential         Timeline   Resources/Comments/Outcomes
                              No.                                                                                       Partnerships
                                                                                    Complete     Planning      Not
                                                                                                Underway    Commenced
  Safer and more resilient   061      Increase access to online capacity building                                       GSC – Library                Increase access and engagement
  communities (Continued)             and training opportunities for communities                                        Services                     Improved resilience to future emergencies
                                                                                                                        Neighbourhood                Links to Community Learning Strategy
                                                                                                                        Houses                       Potential partnerships Neighbourhood Houses and Gannawarra
                                                                                                                                                     Libraries
                                                                                                                                                     Investigate Be Connected Federal Funding program for seniors
                             062      Review the Gannawarra Emergency Safety                                            GSC                          Review and distribute copies of updated Gannawarra
                                      Kit                                                                                                            Emergency Safety Kit

                             063      Pursue funding opportunities to increase                                          GSC                          Investigate the Be Connected Federal program and other
                                      communication technology and knowledge                                                                         relevant sources to implement the following;
                                      and training of Seniors                                                                                        Provision of technology to support Seniors
                                                                                                                                                     Capacity building
                                                                                                                                                     Resources and confidence to support Seniors transition to
                                                                                                                                                     cashless economy
                                                                                                                                                     Telehealth
                                                                                                                                                     Aged care services
                                                                                                                                                     Online
                                                                                                                                                     I-Pads
                                                                                                                                                     Potential partnerships with libraries, Community Care, nursing
                                                                                                                                                     homes, health services
                                                                                                                                                     Social connection and service access
                             064      Raise awareness of the drivers of family                                          GLAM                         Advocacy for funding to support ongoing partnership work
                                      violence                                                                          GSC                          around Family Violence. Led by Gannawarra Free from Family
                                                                                                                        NDCH                         Violence Working Group/Gannawarra Local Agency Meeting
                                                                                                                        Centre for Non-              (GLAM) around the following key actions and outcomes:
                                                                                                                        Violence                     Development of a Healthy Masculinities Online Toolbox for local
                                                                                                                        against Women                sporting and community clubs
                                                                                                                                                     Funding to support a partnership approach for Gannawarra
                                                                                                                                                     Goes Orange Campaign in Nov 2020 rolling out a targeted
                                                                                                                                                     media campaign to raise awareness of the drivers of Family
                                                                                                                                                     Violence, the rates of Family Violence in Gannawarra Shire and
                                                                                                                                                     where to seek help
                                                                                                                                                     School based education on the drivers of Family Violence
                                                                                                                                                     Complete Gender Equity Audits in workplaces for organisations
                                                                                                                                                     required to complete these as part of the Victorian Gender
                                                                                                                                                     Equality Act 2020

                                                                                                                                                                                                                27
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