Colac Otway Fire Event - Recovery
What is Community Emergency Recovery?
Community Emergency Recovery is the process that helps our community get back on track after a disaster or emergency. Recovery takes time, and it works best when we do it together - community members, Council, local organisations and partner agencies all play a part.
How recovery helps
After a bushfire or other emergency, the impacts can be overwhelming. People may experience mental, physical and emotional stress, and it can be hard to know where to start. Community Emergency Recovery focuses on:
- Restoring quality of life
- Reconnecting essential community services
- Supporting people through loss, disruption and uncertainty
- Rebuilding confidence, wellbeing and resilience
If you’ve been affected by any type of emergency, a range of general supports are available to help you navigate the recovery process.
Local recovery in action
Trusted local spaces, such as Recovery Hubs, provide practical support, clear information and a place for the community to shape its own recovery. We also work alongside individuals, neighbouring councils and community groups to plan and deliver recovery programs that meet local needs.
Recovery is more than rebuilding what was damaged. It’s about creating stronger, more connected and more resilient communities for the future. This includes supporting:
- Community‑led recovery projects
- Farming communities and rural areas
- Local businesses and the visitor economy
- Township groups and local organisations
Because the impacts of an emergency are interconnected, our recovery efforts focus on restoring momentum across the whole Shire.
What’s next
As we move into the next phase of recovery, we continue to advocate for sustained external support to assist our community over the long term.
Council will soon be calling for expressions of interest from community members who would like to help guide this work by joining a Recovery Committee and contributing to future resilience planning.