Far East Gippsland rural house numbering initiative

Community volunteer Danny Mitten

 

W Tree is a small town in Victoria on the Gelantipy Road, in the Shire of East Gippsland near the Snowy River.

 

Last month a small group of community volunteers installed reflective rural house numbering across the W Tree Gelantipy Road community.

While CFA Community Engagement Coordinator Jodie Burt and her team were in the area installing smoke alarms in the W Tree community, it was identified that many of the homes in this area were unable to be located. Many properties have multiple residences from one driveway entry which makes it difficult for external agencies to locate people in times of emergencies.  

Jodie was already collaborating on the Smoke Alarm Installation Project with Susie Edwards, Gelantipy Bush Nurse, and further discussions led to Susie and Jodie improving the identification of homes in the area. This makes it easier for emergency services and other key agencies to locate residents along the Gelantipy Road during fire and other emergencies. 

CFA funded the aluminium reflective signs and Bunnings Bairnsdale donated the star pickets and installation gear.

Community Based Bushfire Management team member Suzie Claringbould from DEECA coordinated the installations with help from volunteers from the area. The commitment of local volunteers was greatly appreciated. Their local knowledge made an enormous difference in placement of the signs and locating residents during the installations process.

This was a a good example of agencies and services working together to support the community.

 

Submitted by	Jodie Burt