Baw Baw Shire Council, Victoria Legal Aid and the Country Fire Authority will host an online seminar to help residents prepare emergency management plans for their properties.
The seminar will be delivered via Zoom on Wednesday 18 November from 11.00am to 11.45am and will be tailored to Baw Baw Shire residents.
Victoria Legal Aid lawyers will discuss the legal challenges a bushfire can cause and offer practical tips to help you to be prepared, including:
- Ensuring insurance details are up-to-date and policies are appropriate, to ensure claims are easily met.
- Identifying documents like wills and deeds that need to be stored somewhere safe or digitised.
- Tenancy and accommodation issues.
- Managing debt and financial hardship.
The Country Fire Authority will also provide an outline of the Fire Safety Outreach program, which provides advice and information to community members via telephone or email.
This free service allows community members and professionals to access information and fire safety education from CFA Community Education Officers.
Registration can be made via the Council website: www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/prepare
A recording will also be available on the Baw Baw Shire Council website for those that cannot attend the live event.
As noted by Baw Baw Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Mark Dupe
“The 2019/2020 fires saw displaced families around Australia struggling to deal with problems like rejected insurance claims, disputes with landlords about leases and outstanding rent, financial problems, unemployment and more. What’s more, they were often doing so in devastated communities who were possibly grappling with damage to their homes at the same time.
“In this seminar, legal experts will step you through the key things to consider when insuring your property and managing important legal documents. This is a great opportunity for property owners to get the latest information they need to make informed choices.”
