The Mount Beauty Stadium is now better prepared as a Bushfire Place of Last Resort following the completion of the Kiewa Valley Safer Places Project.
Funded under the Black Saturday Bushfire Recovery Grants Program (BSBR), the $203,000 community driven project delivers backup power at the Stadium – a Bushfire Place of Last Resort.
Totally Renewable Energy Kiewa (T.R.E.K) were the successful applicants of this crucial grant and Alpine Shire Council delivered and saw the project through to commissioning of the system.
Alpine Shire Mayor, John Forsyth, said the project delivers a place of last resort for the Upper Kiewa area when other bushfire plans have failed.
"The Project has delivered a 23.1 kW solar power system and 33 kW stand-alone batteries able to provide at least three days of autonomy with no solar production," Cr Forsyth said.
"This will deliver greater emergency preparedness for Upper Kiewa communities and will give these communities independence and comfort in the knowledge that they have an appropriate Place of Last Resort. It will also support community use of the Stadium during non-emergency times."
The Kiewa Valley Safer Places unveiling will be celebrated on Friday, 20 October with a special community event from 10am onwards.
Cr Forsyth said part of the event will include unveiling the generator, with artwork designed by local student, 15-year-old Zali Morgan.
"Zali's artwork, titled 'Bobby the Boarding Bogong', was inspired by the Bogong Moth - a species that was greatly impacted by the devastation of the 2019/20 bushfires," he said.
"The art is a fun and creative piece with a great message inspired by our natural environment. The artwork not only features on the generator but also on the new drinking fountain installed in Mount Beauty’s Hydro Park."
As part of the community event, Council is also launching its 72 Hour Project, in partnership with Moira Shire Council, CFA, SES, Red Cross and Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council.
Cr Forsyth said the 72 Hour Project is aimed at increasing awareness, conversations and planning for emergencies.
"Knowing how to plan, and planning in advance, for natural disasters and emergencies can result in an increase in community preparedness, as well as communities and agencies working better together with a common purpose to support mitigation, response and recovery," he said.
"The 72 Hour Project can also help businesses to better plan and prepare and understand their capacity during an emergency, and give people a sense of control over what happens in an emergency, which can aid their mental health."
After the official unveiling, there will be a 72 Hour Project community workshop held to help community members make an emergency management plan and help them handle any emergency through preparation.
All are welcome to attend the Kiewa Valley Safer Places Unveiling at the Mount Beauty Stadium, Pool Road, Mount Beauty on Friday, 20 October from 10am onwards.
Free coffee and a BBQ Breakfast will be provided.
