Omeo District Recovery Update
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Omeo District
Recovery Update MAY 2021
O m e o M ount ain Bike be progressively implemented as trail Visit Victoria has also recently launched
Destination Project update user numbers increase. the new ‘All Kinds of Wonder’
Implementation of the Omeo Mountain Work on the proposed Omeo MTB magazine, aimed at driving tourism
Bike Destination Project has been website and marketing also continue. in Gippsland.
gaining momentum in recent months, A recent article in Flow Mountain Bike Developed from bushfire recovery
with East Gippsland Shire Council featured the project and successful initiatives, the magazine has a heavy
approving the project’s planning tenderer Common Ground Trails, focus on East Gippsland, with a nod
permit and awarding a contract for the highlighting the recently constructed to the other three parts of Gippsland
construction of trails – both significant Omeo Pump and Skills Track and the across its 16 pages.
milestones. project vision. The aim of the magazine is to drive
The planning approval processes Other related project investments within awareness of our beautiful part of
however, are not yet complete as Omeo are being progressed by Council the world and allow for planning and
the Victorian Civil and Administrative with funding support from Bushfire visitation for autumn and into early
Tribunal (VCAT) has recently notified Recovery Victoria and Council’s own winter.
Council of an objection to the planning funds. Improvements to Livingstone Over 330,000 copies of the magazine
permit being lodged. Park are currently in design with works being distributed across Victoria,
This notification means that trail planned for the 2021-22 financial year. including Gippsland as an insert, and
construction cannot commence until The design will include elements from are available at all East Gippsland
the VCAT matter has been resolved. the Livingstone Park Master Plan such VICs.
The VCAT process has nominated a as improved playground and picnic
final hearing date of 18 November area facilities, access and safety
Rebuild Support Service
2021. improvements to the swimming area,
vehicle parking and a pedestrian / bike The Rebuild Support Service can
Council is progressing with background support any landowner who lost a
bridge linking the caravan park trail.
works, with the hope that the VCAT dwelling or sheds in the 2019/2020
matter can be resolved This includes The Livingstone Park upgrade
fires, particularly in navigating the
the MTB Operational Plan, Emergency compliments the recently completed
approvals that may be needed for
Management Plan and Maintenance Pump and Skills Track, which has
rebuilding. In many cases, registering
Management Plan being initiated. proven to be a great success for the
with the RSS can also inform eligibility
Stakeholders such as Victoria Police, young and young at heart and for those
for financial rebuild support.
Ambulance Victoria, SES, Omeo who take in the park ambience. The
pump track is a popular place to be For more information about the RSS
Regional Hospital, Department of
for locals and tourists on or off a bike! there are several options:
Environment, Land, Water and Planning
and community are in the process of • Contact the team directly at BRSS@
egipps.vic.gov.au
being consulted for input. Open for business
Particular attention is being placed We would like residents and visitors • Make contact through your bushfire
on rider safety; this is not just wearing alike to know that our Visitor Information recovery support worker
helmets! Good trail design and Centres (VICs) are open across East • Through your local Bushfire Recovery
maintenance will help minimise injuries Gippsland, including weekends, to Victoria (BRV) Hub
and the need for the extraction of help inform and guide you on all • On our Bushfire Rebuilding web page
patients. Stakeholders and adjoining the wonderful places, activities and https://www.eastgippsland.
landholders are invited to contact accommodation our region has to offer. vic.gov.au/community/
Council’s project manager Ian Cameron To learn more about exploring your bushfire-rebuilding
to discuss how we can ensure good own backyard, or to showcase our The RSS can meet with residents one-
emergency access to the trails. beautiful area to visitors, pop into on-one in BRV hubs or Council’s Omeo
In anticipation of a positive VCAT one of our VICs, visit our website Customer Service Centre, or provide
outcome, a road safety assessment has eastgippsland.vic.gov.auleisure/ support by phone or video conference
also been carried out on Connleys Road, tourism, or the Visit East Gippsland depending on your accessibility or
with recommendations anticipated to website visiteastgippsland.com.au preference.
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Omeo District
Recovery Update MAY 2020
Councillors visit
Councillors and senior officers were in the High Country for
two days at the start of May, having many discussions with
individuals and community groups and committees around
recovery, preparedness, maintenance requests, support for
facilities and funding opportunities. Visits included Tambo
Crossing, Swifts Creek, Benambra and Omeo, with a Council
Meeting in Swifts Creek.
Plans for a major upgrade at Swifts Creek Recreation Reserve are well
underway. Pictured are, from left Cr John White, Cr Arthur Allen, Rod
Walker, Cr Tom Crook, Mick Batty, Cr Kirsten Van Diggele, Robert Reid,
Jeremiah Topperwein, Keren Walker, Raymond Gallagher, Crs Trevor
Stow, Sonia Buckley and Jane Greacen, Anne Richardson, Jane Rowe,
Kath Smith, Cr Mark Reeves and Mayor Cr Mendy Urie.
Tambo Crossing residents discuss their plans for improved resilience
during emergency incidents. Pictured are, from left Cr Kirsten Van
Diggele, Cr Jane Greacen, Brad Smith, Andrew ‘Rambo’ Travis, Fiona
Angus, Jamie Johnson and Cr Tom Crook.
Jodie Pitkin, General Manager Place and Community talks to community
members at Benambra.
Current and former East Gippsland Shire Councillors were happy to
share stories at Benambra. Pictured are Cr Trevor Stow, former councillor
Ben Buckley who served for more than 25 years, Cr Tom Crooke and
Trudy Anderson, also a former councillor.
Cr J ane G re a c en
(right) caught up with
friend Mrs Sharon
Firebrace-Sinnott at the
community catch-up in
Benambra earlier this
month.
General Manager Assets and Environment Fiona Weigall met Graeme
and Elijah Sinnott at the Benambra community gathering.
Anthony Nelson (03) 5153 9432 Contact Council
Place Manager - 0427 039 500 5153 9500
Omeo District AnthonyN@egipps.vic.gov.au feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au
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Omeo District
Recovery Update MAY 2020
National Emergency Medal between Tambo Crossing and Swifts satellite system has been installed in
opportunity Creek. This link intends to create a East Gippsland. Together with the solar
The National Emergency Medal is transmission ring between Bairnsdale, system or a generator, this provides
an award available to persons who Melbourne and Wangaratta and a safety net communication system
provided either significant or sustained provide new and better coverage in for the Omeo Recreation Reserve if
service (or both) during a nationally several areas, including Omeo, Ensay, the mobile telecommunication network
significant emergency. Tambo Crossing, Dinner Plain and fails. Council has applied for further
The bushfires of 2019/2020 were Mount Hotham. STAND satellite units to be installed at
declared a nationally significant The installation of this link is the crux of a other facilities.
emergency for the purpose of the much larger mobile network project - the We have engaged a consultant to help
National Emergency Medal on 2 High Country Transmission Upgrade. identify and consolidate the priorities
December 2020. The $6.4 million project is jointly co- for digital connectivity improvement
The Medal is managed by the Office of funded by Telstra, and the Victorian and (resilience, coverage, literacy, etc.)
the Governor General and is open to Federal governments, and is focused across East Gippsland. This work
members of the community, volunteers on improving telecommunications and upcoming engagement and
or agency staff that have provided coverage, resiliency, and connectivity data collection strategies will inform
sustained service being: in high fire danger areas, and future- Council to produce a consolidated list
proofing telecommunications for the of priorities for advocacy and planning
• Service in the protection of lives
region. with telecommunication providers and
and property; or in the service of
interests, that are not their own; Other key upgrades within the High State and Federal governments.
Country Transmission Upgrade are: To learn more about the Regional
• In direct response to the emergency
(including support that enables or • Upgrades to existing sites at Tambo Connectivity Program, Mobile Blackspot
facilitates the emergency response). Crossing, Ensay and Mt. Hotham Program, funded projects and future
Airport funding opportunities, visit the Federal
• In East Gippsland (or other fire
impacted municipalities). • Capacity and 5G upgrades to two Government’s Communications
sites in Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain Department website.
• Between 21 November 2019 and
20 February 2020 • New transmission system installations
at 12 exchanges including Dinner Did you know?
• The minimum duration of service
Plain, Hotham Village, Harrietville,
of 5 days We have a new grant application portal
Omeo, Swifts Creek, Wangaratta,
To learn more about the Medal and its called Grant Guru. Check it out at
Morwell, Bright, Everton, Myrtleford,
history, eligibility criteria, or to apply, eastgippsland.grantguru.com.au
Ensay and Tambo Crossing
visit the Governor-General’s website Telstra has announced that the detailed
https://www.gg.gov.au/ planning work for the project is now Last road bridge reopened
australian-honours-and- being finalised, and work is expected On Friday 30 April we officially
awardsnational-emergency- to commence before the end of 2021. marked the successful completion of our
medal/bushfires-2019-20 bushfire-impacted timber road bridge
Telstra and NBN Co have increased
their capacity with mobile/relocatable replacement program. During the fires
Telecommunications update telecommunications units that can be we had 13 timber road bridges and
We have worked alongside Telstra and used to reinstate telecommunications two heritage listed pedestrian bridges
Alpine Shire Council to submit a now following a disaster (e.g. mobile NBN, destroyed or damaged beyond repair.
successful application for the Federal Skymuster trucks, etc.). Our first bridge replacement – the
Government’s Regional Connectivity The Commonwealth Government’s Waterholes Creek bridge in Deptford
Program to improve telecommunications STAND program is piloting the – was replaced within six weeks of the
across East Gippsland. installation of satellite communication fire impacting the area. The remaining
The focal point of the application was systems in relief centres and similar 12 bridges have been completed over
the installation of a 42-kilometre fibre facilities. Omeo Recreation Reserve the past 12 months, with works totalling
optic link through the Tambo Valley is one of eight locations at which a more than $4.5 million.
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