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South Gippsland Shire Council updates on recent storm support to impacted residents and other projects

South Gippsland hit hard by storm; widespread damage to trees, homes, infrastructure. Despite challenges, the community unites. Gratitude to emergency services and volunteers. Cleanup underway, updates to follow.

By news@gippsland - 19th February 2024 - Back to News

On Tuesday, a strong storm hit South Gippsland which caused widespread damage to trees, infrastructure and homes. Loss of power and mobile coverage became the norm, rather than the exception, and most residents were personally impacted in some way. But despite all of these challenges, South Gippslanders rallied to support those around them. It didn't matter if those people were family members, friends, neighbours or strangers, a helping hand was extended and accepted.

Tuesday's storm devastated South Gippsland, causing widespread damage. Despite challenges, residents united, aiding each other in cleanup efforts. South Gippslanders demonstrate resilience

There is still a long way to go. Trees are still down everywhere and the damage will take a long time to repair, but the clean up has already started. ln typical South Gippsland fashion - we step up, we roll up our sleeves and we get the job done.

Of course relief and clean up cannot be undertaken without the support of our amazing Emergency Services - SES, CFA, VicPol - Council crews and community members and groups. Thank you for helping people and for keeping our communities safe. Some updates are listed below, more information will be provided as it comes to hand. Thank you.

Power restoration

Power is progressively being restored across South Gippsland, but there are many residents still waiting. AusNet has advised that Mirboo North may be waiting until 22 February before power is restored. The AusNet outage tracker indicates that power in Welshpool could be restored any time from today until next week.

Of course, we hope that power is returned quicker than these tentative dates indicate. Emergency Services and Council are working to clear trees as quickly as possible but it is a slow process due to the sheer volume of reported incidents. Council crews are concentrating on clearing roads and the SES are concentrating on private property (including buildings). As always, your patience is appreciated.

Road closures and detours

The Strzelecki Highway is closed. Traffic is being detoured down Mardan Road and Berrys Creek Road. Please drive with caution along Berrys Creek Road as it is narrow in parts and has a section of gravel.

There are other roads in South Gippsland that remain impacted by vegetation, however. Please be careful and adhere to road signage. Please find a list of closed council roads here Road hazards / closures page.

Mirboo North Town Update

Council has established a relief point at the Mirboo North and District Community Foundation at 96 Ridgway, Mirboo North. The relief point has internet/mobile access and device charging available. Please BYO charging device. Reception in town is strong.

Two large generators are also now in town, courtesy of AusNet. These will help to get the main street back up and operational. It is hoped that all businesses in the main street will have power by midday thanks to those generators.

Showers are available at the Churchill Leisure Centre (corner Northways Road and MacDonald Way - phone 5120 3888) please BYO soap and towels. A bus service will be departing the Relief Point and travelling to the Leisure Centre today at 9.00am and 2.00pm.

Other information:

• The Pharmacy in Mirboo North will be open today from 9.00am to 12.00pm. Webster packs will be delivered and available for pick up as they normally are. (If you pick up then pick up, those that are delivered will be delivered as normal)
• Victoria Police have advised that they will be patrolling the town 24/7 until Monday
• Food parcels prepared by the Salvation Army are available at the Relief Point for those in need
• The Italian Festa Committee is holding a community BBQ at midday today. Head on down for some food and a friendly catch up
• Coffee Cart is available in Baromi Park
• Other businesses open include: BP Mirboo North, Butcher, Foodworks, and Medical Centre
• Tonight, the Sikh Volunteers Australia will be back cooking hot meals

Join the Mirboo North community info session today at 2:00 pm in Mirboo North Hall. Get updates on road closures, power, and telecom services from the Incident Controller

Community information session

Mirboo North residents affected by this week's storm event are invited to a community information session at the Mirboo North Hall at 2.00pm today. The meeting will give community members the chance to talk to representatives from:

• South Gippsland Shire
• Department of Transport
• Gippsland Water
• Rural Finance
• GippsDairy
• AgVic and other organisations

The Incident Controller from the Incident Management Team will brief residents on the latest information on road closures, electricity services and telecommunications. The community meeting will be held at the Mirboo North Hall at 30 Ridgeway.

Charging and support facilities

Please BYO charger.

Poowong

• Country Fire Authority: 14 Brisbane Street
• Open from 9.00am until late today. Free BBQ from 5.00pm

Leongatha

• South Gippsland Shire Council: 9 Smith Street
• Open until 5.00pm for device charging and free WiFi (select 'SGSC Public')

Korumburra

Korumburra Community Hub (Milpara Community House): 15 Little Princes Street - Open from 9.00am for device charging, fresh water, tea/coffee and emergency food supplies

Toora

• The Panton Store, 31 Stanley Street
• Open today and tomorrow from 10.00am to 5.00pm for device charging

Foster

• Manna Gum Community House: 33 Station Road
• Open from 10.00am until 3.00pm for device charging and a hot drink

Hot showers

Please BYO soap and towels. Some services may be experiencing large demand, so please be patient.

Churchill Leisure Centre

• Corner Northways Road and MacDonald Way
• Phone: 5120 3888

Opening Hours:

• Friday 6.00am to 7.30pm
• Saturday: 9.00am to 4.00pm
• Sunday: 10.00am to 3.00pm

A bus service will be departing the Relief Point in Mirboo North and travelling to the Leisure Centre today at 9.00am and 2.00pm

South Gippsland SPLASH (Leongatha)

• 50 Roughead Street, Leongatha
• Phone: 5662 5911

Opening Hours:

• Friday: 6.00am to 6.00pm
• Saturday: 8.00am to 4.00pm
• Sunday: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Korumburra Recreation Reserve

• Richard Street, Korumburra

Opening Hours:

• Friday: 10.00am to 5.00pm
• May be open Saturday as well, but we are waiting for details

Toora Pool

• 14 Cunningham Street, Toora
• Phone: 5686 2296

Opening Hours:

• Friday: 7.00am to 6.00pm
• Saturday: 10.00am to 5.00pm
• Sunday: 1.00pm to 5.00pm

Foster Pool

• 15 Reserve Street, Foster
• Phone: 5682 2047

Opening Hours:

• Friday: 7.00am to 4.30pm
• Saturday: 10.00am to 4.30pm
• Sunday: 10.00am to 4.30pm
• H2:Food waste and green waste

Food and green waste

Council has initiated a green and food waste amnesty until Tuesday 27 February.

• Green waste and spoiled goods can be disposed of at all South Gippsland transfer stations
• Transfer stations are open according to regular operating hours except for Mirboo North which is open daily, including weekends, from 9.00am to 4.00pm
• There is no limitation on branch size but weed restrictions still apply
• Commercial contractors can also drop off green waste for free with no limitations on the size of trucks

Skip bins are also in place to help with the discarding of food waste only, in the following locations:

• Mirboo North located opposite the Hall (toilet car park)
• Meeniyan (rear of shops)
• Venus Bay

Emergency relief

Water

• Gippsland Water has issued a conserve water notice for Mirboo North due to damaged infrastructure
• Residents in Alberton, Nyora, Poowong, Loch and Port Albert are encouraged to reduce water and wastewater usage (if it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down) due to pressure and vacuum sewer systems that rely on electricity to run
• The potable water supply at Mirboo North is safe to drink. Gippsland Water updates can be found at Incidents and emergencies page

Food safety

• Please monitor all food in fridges, and move higher risk products (for example meat and dairy) into the freezer
• If it is possible to obtain ice, this can be used to chill food products for longer
• Be aware of the temperature danger zone for food products (between 5 degrees and 60 degrees). Food products within this range can become hazardous and should be discarded

Commercial food businesses

• If commercial food businesses are unable to get a generator and maintain temperature control, disposal of food should be completed if the food product has risen to above 5 degrees.
• Skip bins have been secured for some locations in South Gippsland. See 'Food and Green Waste' update above

Storm greatly affected trails, including Great Southern Rail Trail are closed for community safety

Other info and events

Rates

Due to the problems presented by the storms, Council is extending the payment period until 28 February.

Summer Series 2

Due to the recent storm event, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Summer Series 2. Like most of South Gippsland, Coal Creek is without power and is without the resources to run the event.

All ticket holders will be contacted in regard to a refund. Please be aware that this process may take a little bit of time due to network and power outages. We urge everyone to stay safe and we look forward to welcoming patrons back to the Park soon.

Great Southern Rail Trail and Grand Ridge Rail Trail

Both of these trails have been significantly impacted by the storm event. Both are currently closed for the safety of the community.

Pictures from South Gippsland Shire Council website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com