Residents of Merrigum, Dookie, and Toolamba and District are encouraged to help strengthen their communities' emergency preparedness by providing feedback on draft Local Emergency Action Plans (LEAPs).
The draft plans were developed through the LEAPing into Safer Communities project with the support of local Steering Groups who contributed their knowledge, experience and understanding of local emergency risks and community strengths.
The wider community is now invited to have their say on the draft plans to ensure the LEAPs accurately reflect local knowledge, priorities and community capabilities before being finalised.
Council's Emergency Management and Resilience Manager Belinda Conna said the project was a community-led initiative, supporting local communities to identify emergency risks, resources and actions that can help prepare for and respond to emergencies.
"We are encouraging everyone to take a look at the draft plans and share their feedback," she said.
"Community input will help ensure the final LEAPs are practical, relevant and genuinely reflect local priorities."
Mayor, Councillor Geoff Akers said local knowledge played a vital role in emergency preparedness and community resilience.
"Every community has unique strengths, resources and challenges when it comes to emergencies," he said.
"The people who live, work and volunteer in these communities are best placed to identify local risks and opportunities for preparedness."
Anyone who lives, works, volunteers or owns property in Merrigum, Dookie, and Toolamba and District is encouraged to participate.
Consultation is open from Wednesday 7 October to Friday 6 November 2026.
Community members can review the draft plans and provide feedback through Council's online engagement platform, Shaping Greater Shepp or complete a hard-copy survey at Council Offices, 90 Welsford Street, Shepparton.
Following consultation, all feedback will be reviewed and considered before the plans are finalised. A consultation summary report outlining how community feedback informed the final plans will also be made publicly available.
The final LEAPs will be uploaded to Council's website and a small number of hardcopies will be available.
The LEAPing into Safer Communities project is funded under the Victorian Government's Safer Together Strengthening Local Government Partnerships program, in conjunction with Greater Shepparton City Council and Strathbogie Shire Council.
