The group, established in March, includes 25 representatives from local government and community who have seen the impacts on their communities and understand their needs going forward.

During fortnightly meetings via Zoom, members provide advice and feedback to help council support the community through recovery and create strategies in case of future emergencies.

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As the bushfires impacted communities to a varied degree, the group provides a cross-section of the least and worst hit areas.

The group is chaired by mayor David West, with deputy mayor Claire Pontin taking up the deputy chair role.

Cr West was 'absolutely astounded' by the knowledge and ideas the group had already brought to the table since the meetings began in June.

No relatable topic is off limits and every member has the opportunity to express their concerns and thoughts.

"Everything is taken at face value and nothing is ignored," Cr West said.

"The role of council is to listen and act on these ideas. Cr Pontin and I will also take the information back to the other councillors."

Cr West said some credible ideas discussed in the meetings hadn't been mentioned in the ongoing royal commission into the national natural disaster arrangements.

A key issue raised by the group is ensuring victims who have fallen through the gaps for financial assistance are looked after.

Some members of the group have identified links to victims who are still traumatised and scarred by the disaster. That's why the group is driven to open doors to psychological assistance, such as counselling, for these people.

At the inaugural meeting, Samaritans representatives Beth Hanna and Renea Macpherson spoke to the group about additional funding available for bushfire affected communities in the area.

Potential funding and resource opportunities that could be accessed by council have also been discussed.

All levels of government are expected to be involved in the process of taking an idea and implementing it, with or without funding.

Council is already implementing recovery strategies such as talks with committees of all 47 community halls in the region about their needs and funding opportunities and a community education tool about bushfire risks.

Rural Fire Service crews could also be tasked with visiting rural communities and preparing for the bushfire season.

There are plans to make the meetings monthly in future.

The members of the group are: Cr David West, Cr Claire Pontin, Paul De Szell, Carly Landers, Daniel Trudgeon, Mike Parsons, Daintry Gerrand, Greg Hale, Kim MacDonald, Lindsay Segal, Neal Parker, Bettina Bettington, Bree Katsamangos, Mark Johnson, Peter Ruprecht, Sharon Chamberlain, Trypheyna McShane, Alastair Breingan, Jenny Brewer, Sandra Zielke, Kylie Atkinson, Lucinda Fischer, Adam Parish, Janine Friedrich and Linda MacKenzie.

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