COHUNA and Kerang residents were invited to take part in a conversation about extreme weather last week.
Gannawarra Shire Council, working with Make a Change Australia, held two pop-up sessions last Tuesday in Victoria Square Kerang, and Wednesday outside Bower Tavern in Cohuna.
The aim was to give community a chance to voice their concerns about the impacts of extreme weather.
The Let’s Talk About the Weather program aims to facilitate a community-wide discussion to prompt new ideas, solutions and approaches for the future.
These initial sessions encouraged residents to discuss their local experiences with extreme weather and complete a short questionnaire about their main concerns.
Council chief executive officer, Geoff Rollinson said the program hoped to gather ideas to lesson the direct impact of extreme weather events such as flash or riverine flooding, storms and drought.
“For those who missed out on the chance to take part in these pop-up sessions, ‘What do you reckon?’ postcards will be available to fill out at various locations throughout the Gannawarra, including our neighbourhood houses, businesses and cafes,” he said.
The program will culminate with the hosting of two free community events planned for Kerang on Wednesday, November 13, and Cohuna on Wednesday, November 20.
“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 also share their thoughts, experiences and ideas on the weather and local solutions via the online survey available at www.makeachange.org.au/gannawarra/
The Let’s Talk About the Weather program is an initiative of the Gannawarra Community Resilience Committee as part of the Gannawarra Community Flood Recovery Program.
