Notes from #Mallacoota 4PM community meeting 14/1 (thread)
113 cars participated in the escorted round trip convoy to Eden today.
About 60 people in attendance today. Only seeing one person (me) wearing a mask, despite thick smoke.
People using tank water: be aware of upcoming rain washing ash and gunk into your tank systems
Dept of social services arrived late last night and are talking about air quality and mask fitting. #Mallacoota’s nearest air monitoring station is in Orbost. Likely falling on deaf ears, given how many people are wearing masks today.
DHSS saying that the asbestos in the wrecks of buildings is “low risk” to neighbours unless disturbed.
Several industrial air cleaners will be set up in community buildings around town. Actual sites not decided yet but the idea being that people will have at least one place to temporarily escape the smoke
Forest fire management telling us that they haven’t been able to survey fires by air for 2 days because of smoke.
Ground crews have been working in Wallagaraugh where there are still active fires.
FFM have some concern about flash flooding from the predict storms in the next few days but risk is highest to the west of #Mallacoota
Social services on again talking about personal hardship payments. They’re available to process claims between 10-3 for as long as we need them.
They are also providing advice and fact sheets on other financial assistance which may be available.
Hearing from Steve Pascoe who is sharing his “lived experience” from the Strathewen fire and his thoughts on coping and recovering. linkedin.com/in/steve-pasco…
One load of AusPost ExpressPost arrived in #Mallacoota today! Express post only at this time.
Police dispelling rumours that the AusNet diesel generators are struggling with load. They say this is untrue. We also have ~1 week’s worth of fuel onsite.
Police reiterating that there is no timeline to clear the road west from Genoa to Cann River - not even worth thinking about at this time.
Audience requested a progress report anyway. Police/FFM taking it on notice for tomorrow.
Police still unwilling to share anything about the plan to get stranded #Mallacoota residents back in. Claims that it’s difficult/complex but won’t tell us why. Says joining convoy at Eden still unsupported.
That’s all for today.
My understanding of this is that we have 3x 1MW containerised generators. A 4th is inbound to allow one to be cycled out of service for standard maintenance.
