Has your home, business, farm or your mental wellbeing, been affected by an extreme weather event? Well, we want to hear from you.
Locals across the Mildura region are invited to take part in a community-wide conversation about improving our response to extreme weather events.
Let's Talk About BIG Weather is an initiative, led by Make a Change Australia in partnership with Mildura Rural City Council, Mallee Catchment Management Authority and Mallee Family Care. Its primary aim is to bring residents, businesses, students and community groups together to share experiences and explore local solutions to help our region prepare for the challenges posed by the changing climate.
Councillor for Environmental and Sustainability Jodi Ewings said it was an important conversation for the community to have.
"The more people we have involved, coming to events, filling out the survey, the more governments realise this is a big topic that we care about," Cr Ewings said.
"It's understanding the impacts that storms, heat, floods, fires, etcetera, have on people's homes, their mental health and their livelihoods and then growing that resilience."
Mallee Family Care CEO Teresa Jayet said some families in the community were more vulnerable to these impacts than others.
"Mallee Family Care is deeply committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable families who are disproportionately affected by climate-related events," Ms Jayet said.
"These families face a range of challenges - from property damage & displacement to emotional & mental distress - which can further exacerbate existing vulnerabilities."
Let's Talk about BIG Weather will include two community events in June, offering practical information and discussions on how people can make their homes, businesses and outdoor spaces more resilient.
Liveable & Resilient Homes – Mildura
Making our places more suitable for now & the future
Wednesday, 11 June | 5:30PM – 7:00PM
The Alfred Deakin Centre, 190 Deakin Avenue, Mildura
Backyard & Bigger – Red Cliffs
Adaptive gardening & future farming
Thursday, 12 June | 10:00AM – 11:30AM
Red Cliffs Civic Centre, 10 Jamieson Avenue, Red Cliffs
For those who can't attend in person, there's still an opportunity to have a say. Residents can share their experiences, concerns & ideas about the impact of extreme weather, through this online survey:
Submit feedback here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/wdyr-mildura
Organisers say the program is a chance for the community to come together & create locally relevant practical solutions, for dealing with the predicted challenges ahead.
