The sub-group meetings each cover separate issues such as safety, economic recovery, tourism, cultural events, community wellbeing, and learning.

The goal is to fairly quickly pull together overall community objectives that will support the community in the potentially dark months ahead.

For many locals the virus impact has yet to fully hit, with all the economic supports still currently in place for those whose employment has been affected.

Depending on federal and NSW decisions about ongoing financial support, it might be September or so before the worst economic effects are felt.

The recovery sub-groups have been truly inspiring to witness - a demonstration of the amazing talent we have locally in all the relevant fields, and especially their deep commitment and willingness to flex out and go beyond business as usual.

An especially important theme is 'connection', involving the question of how to ensure that even the most vulnerable and isolated members of the community can get information about and access to the assistance or opportunities they might need.

There are already strong networks among the relevant local sectors that I mentioned.

But for the foreseeable future we must significantly ramp up that networking within and between each sector, and it has been tremendous to see how strongly our local leaders are responding to the call for extra collaboration.

Council will continue to take a central role.

But the success of this venture will depend on widespread working together throughout our community, so no one who reaches out for help is left behind.

Right now you can do your part also, by maybe having gentle discussions with friends, neighbours and loved ones about hopes and fears in this time of crisis and beyond.

Cr Intemann's opinions are not necessarily council's.

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