GANNAWARRA residents are encouraged to join a conversation about the impact of extreme weather as part of a Let’s Talk About the Weather program.
Gannawarra Council is working with Make a Change Australia and various local partner organisations to co-ordinate the program, which will run until late November.
The program aimed to facilitate a community discussion about the impact of weather events on residents and communities and prompt new ideas, solutions and approaches.
“The past 10 to 15 years has seen an increase in extreme-weather events, such as flash or riverine flooding, storms and drought,” council chief executive Geoff Rollinson said.
“The Let’s Talk About the Weather program aims to provide a platform for community members to share their experiences, thoughts and ideas.
“We are not able to control the weather, but collectively we can seek new solutions and approaches to lessen the direct impact that extreme weather has on our communities.”
As part of the program, four days of community engagement will happen in August and September, when the community will be provided with the opportunity to share their local experiences with extreme weather and answer the question “What do you reckon?” to share thoughts and ideas.
The program will culminate with two free community events later this year.
A lunch focusing on positive green spaces is planned for Kerang on Wednesday, November 13, and a dinner focusing on living with water will take place at Cohuna on November 20.
The council said more details would be announced later.
“The two community events will feature an exciting keynote speaker, as well as provide the opportunity for residents to hear from local people and community groups who are adapting their practices in these changing times,” Mr Rollinson said.
Residents can share their thoughts, experiences and ideas on the weather, its direct impact and local solutions in an online survey at makeachange.org.au/gannawarra
“Council looks forward to supporting the roll-out of the Let’s Talk About the Weather program across Gannawarra and hearing about work already occurring as well as positive ideas for adapting to climate variability in the future,” Mr Rollinson said.
The Let’s Talk About the Weather program is an initiative of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee and supported by Victorian and Commonwealth governments under the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
