FAQs

Learn more about The Loop through our frequently asked questions.

Who is the Alpine Community Recovery Committee (CRC)?

Bushfire Recovery Victoria initiated the Alpine Community Recovery Committee (CRC) following the Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20. Members represent the communities across the Alpine Region, including Bright, Myrtleford, Upper and Lower Kiewa Valley, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek Alpine Resort, Mount Hotham Alpine Resort, and Harrietville.

The committee was tasked with developing research, articulating community priorities and aspirations concerning bushfire recovery, and drafting a Community Recovery Plan.

In late 2021, the Alpine CRC conducted an internal evaluation to determine its future in a post-bushfire recovery setting. Many members determined Alpine CRC had a crucial continuing role as a conduit of information between communities and agencies about emergency preparedness and resilience.

What problem is Alpine CRC trying to solve and why?

The Alpine Community Recovery Committee (CRC) has identified communication as a significant gap in the ability of the community to prepare for emergencies and natural disasters, and ultimately be resilient, empowered and self-sufficient.

Government, emergency service and recovery support agencies promote a considerable amount of emergency preparedness and recovery information via various tools. However, evidence has shown community members do not always access this available information, understand they need to access it, perceive it as easy to access, or access it early enough to prepare for an event.

Alpine CRC discovered this evidence through the following avenues:

  • Consistent informal community feedback, and a formal community survey of 327 people. In addition to the general comments about concerns with communication, one in three people were unaware of the available recovery support programs and services.
  • Multiple meetings between Alpine CRC and agencies. Alpine CRC was repeatedly asked to be the conduit of information to the community.
  • The Alpine CRC Community Recovery Plan (2022), which specifically identified the need to change the focus from information provision to action.

Given this evidence, Alpine CRC determined a change in approach to connecting agency information to the community was required.

How is The Loop a solution?

Alpine CRC designed The Loop as one tool to address the problem of connecting agency communication to the community and specifically, needing to change the focus of information from provision to action.

The Loop aims to amplify the existing communication channels of agencies by providing an additional way of delivering the same information to the community.

What are The Loop’s guiding principles?

  • Empowerment
  • Centralised place to find information
  • Two-way information channel
  • Community connected to information

How does The Loop work?

Community members are recruited as volunteer Community Connectors. The connectors use their own existing networks, databases and channels such as email, social media, newsletter or word-of-mouth to distribute agency information on preparedness and recovery activities such as planned burns. The connectors receive the agency information from The Loop’s Moderator, who sources the information from agencies.

Who are the key stakeholders?

  • Emergency Recovery Victoria
  • Emergency and recovery services agencies
  • Alpine CRC
  • Community Connectors
  • Community

Will The Loop cover emergencies?

Agencies already utilise existing communications channels for emergencies. Alpine CRC understands it’s essential to have one source of truth during and emergency.

How does someone become a Community Connector?

If a community member is interested, they can register their expression of interest via this website.