The results of Yarra Ranges Council’s second pandemic and storm survey are in and have revealed responders are more optimistic compared to the first round survey.
The first survey was released in September 2021 and received 789 responses. The second survey, conducted in January 2022, focuses on how more than 400 residents felt about employment, housing, mental health services and the effects of the pandemic and the June 2021 weather event.
The results showed minor improvements in mental health, although the fallout from these events is still being felt by the community.
16 per cent of people who responded said they have not felt socially connected during the Covid-19 pandemic, a reduction of six per cent compared to September 2021.
17 per cent of people still felt the pandemic was impacting their mental health, a reduction of four per cent. Hardship arising from the pandemic was down by three per cent.
42 per cent of people felt insecure about returning to daily activities, an increase of 13 per cent since the last survey, which was completed during Covid-19 restrictions.
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor Jim Child said the report highlighted the ongoing stress and strain caused by COVID.
“The last survey had a particular focus on the impact of the June storms due to its proximity of the event and the continued impact of COVID restrictions,” Mayor Child said.
“This survey was undertaken six months after the storms and during a period where restrictions were easing. It’s a different type of response that we are seeing, which is that people are recovering and feeling slightly better but there’s also a sense of anxiety as restrictions ease.”
Six months on from the June storm event, the survey found there has been a reduction in dangerous trees on private property, green waste, people requiring temporary accommodation and a decrease in anxiety or trauma related to the storm.
Power outages have increased 41 per cent, internet outages 31 per cent and trees down in streets 18 per cent.
Mayor Child said the report highlighted that residents had moved into the rebuild and redover phase from the June storms.
“The last survey had a particular focus on the impact of the June storms due to its proximity of the event and the continued impact of COVID restrictions,” Mayor Child said.
“This survey was undertaken six months after the storms and during a period where restrictions were easing. It’s a different type of response that we are seeing, which is that people are recovering and feeling slightly better but there’s also a sense of anxiety as restrictions ease,
Findings like this highlight the importance of different organisations working together and I’m particularly encouraged by some of the latest work in this space such as the Insurance Council events, Art Attack programs and collaboration with Inspiro, Windamere and EACH.”
