GIPPSLAND’S emergency relief group has warned that floods are a greater danger to the region than fires over the coming summer.

The president of the Gippsland Emergency Relief Fund, Andy Tegart, told the Gippsland Times that he was more concerned about flooding than fires over summer.

“We had a wet summer last summer, and (are looking at) a wet summer this year. We have more concerns about the risk of floods in the immediate outlook,” he said.

“Gippsland has dodged what’s happening in the rest of the state. But we are concerned about Gippsland already being wet, with saturated soil. It won’t take much rain for that water to run off and develop into floods into river systems and flood plains.

“The conditions are already set. We got full dams, so we don’t have much capacity. We already (have) fully saturated soils, if we get any large rains, we run the risk of floods. There is a difference between minor and major floods, we want to avoid the major floods.”

Mr Tegart said major river systems were the main risk for Wellington.

“The concern is anywhere near the major river systems that are running through Wellington Shire, they would be the obvious risk. That’s historically been the case for Wellington,” he said.

“You got the Macalister, the Mitchell River, you got the major river systems. Everyone would be concerned about those if there was a very large rain event.

“Talk to your local government agencies (such as Victoria State Emergency Services) about what to do with floods, or look on their website. Councils have good advice on floods and flood preparation.”

Mr Tegart said the weather system is probably against “major fire events” this season.

“The risk of forest fire is lower because of the moisture in the air. Doesn’t mean you can’t have fires,” he said.

Mr Tegart spoke to the Times after the group’s 2022 annual general meeting, which celebrated 44 years of supporting the Gippsland community in times of emergency.

A presentation was made to the meeting by Monash University on its Fire to Flourish program, which addressed disaster resilience and community development after recent bushfire emergencies. Scott Campbell-Smith, the community leader in East Gippsland, gave an update on activities in that region.

Representatives of all Gippsland LGAs who provide the referrals for GERF emergency grants attended, along with the executive committee.

GERF is a registered charity, run entirely by local volunteers, providing emergency funding to Gippsland residents affected by natural disasters. Every dollar raised by GERF is distributed to eligible residents. Since inception GERF, has distributed more than $19 Million to more than 5500 families and businesses.

Mr Tegart underlined the commitment of GERF to continue to provide emergency financial assistance to flood fire and storm victims in the future.

“We have strengthened our engagement processes with potential donors and we have implemented a new streamlined technology platform to ensure effective and rapid distribution of funds to eligible recipients” he said.

Mr Tegart acknowledged and thanked all those businesses, corporate and individual donors for their continued generosity which enables GERF to respond rapidly in time of emergency. GERF was relying on the Gippsland community to raise funds for disaster relief this season.

“Big business, small business, churches and community – we use whatever funds we raise to help those who are impacted,” he said.

“We try to give those affected a helping hand on the road to recovery. We complement government assistance, and plug any gaps in aid, and help those who may fall through the gaps. We’ve been doing that since 1978.

“You’d think the demand for GERF would have fallen, but climate change is driving more extreme weather events, and they are driving bigger natural disasters.

“We’re used to (disasters) on a longer time frame, but now we see them on a shorter time frame and they’re more severe.”

Head to the GERF.org.au website to donate.