OPERATION THORPE
Location: Mallacoota, Victoria
Status: 26 November to 12 December 2021
Bushfire Recovery Mallacoota
It is difficult to forget the out-of-control bushfire engulfing the Gippsland township of Mallacoota. Images of thousands of people taking refuge on a beach under red angry skies became synonymous with the plight of Australian communities overwhelmed by the Black Summer bushfires of 2019/20.
Nearly two years later, Mallacoota was still in need of post bushfire assistance. Scant recovery had taken place since the fires in part due to COVID preventive measures limiting disaster recovery activities. When restrictions eased, Disaster Relief Australia launched a short term operation to fell dangerous trees, clear fences of vegetation and debris and perform general clean-up work.
Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) planned and conducted a short-term response to Mallacoota and surrounds, assisting in bushfire response and recovery efforts. The response ran over 14 days. The purpose of the operation was to make safe and clean up community and residential properties for future reinstatement.
DRA’s strike teams provided chainsaw operations, fence line repairs and debris removal as required, and clean up efforts to the affected community in coordination with local and state authorities. This was be achieved through:
- Deployment of plant comprising of skid steer loader, tipper truck, chipper and clearing saws
- Tree works and vegetation management
