CommunityConnect to shut down but information still available

Published on 01 June 2026

Northern Grampians Shire leaders are encouraging people to continue to use or download the VicEmergency app and follow council social media pages following the winding up of the CommunityConnect platform later this month.

Council launched CommunityConnect, designed to foster community connection and provide vital information before, during and after emergency events, in 2024.

The project was born out of community discussions that occurred as part of the Halls Gap Community Preparedness and Resilience Project.

Mayor Karen Hyslop said Halls Gap residents had expressed their desire for a communications channel to provide proactive and timely information in the case of emergency events.

“These discussions followed both the Covid-19 pandemic and previous emergency events in the region,” she said.

“Along with emergency information, residents wanted access to community and event information via the one source.

“Council staff took the feedback on board and were able to source grant money for a community-focused smartphone app.”

The total expenditure for the CommunityConnect project was $315,000, which included app development, hosting fees, community engagement and promotion.

The project was funded by the State Government's Safer Together program, which provided $165,000, and Emergency Recovery Victoria, which provided $150,000.

“CommunityConnect was designed to encourage interaction among community members and to foster a sense of belonging and collective responsibility,” Cr Hyslop said. 

“It also filled a void for people who don’t use traditional social media channels, which tend to be primary communication channels during emergencies, as it is a centralised noticeboard with important information at your fingertips. 

“Unfortunately, the community isn’t using it as much as we had anticipated. If our residents were using the app, we would continue to support it, but given that they are not, we will not be allocating ratepayer money towards its continuation.”

Cr Hyslop said the CommunityConnect project showed council’s willingness to try something new following a thorough community consultation and engagement process.

"This is why it is important for people to get involved when community engagement opportunities arise, as council will do something proactive as a result,” she said.

“Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way we hoped this time around.

“We continue to encourage our residents to download the VicEmergency app and subscribe to alerts and follow both  VicEmergency and Northern Grampians Shire Council on social media."

Cr Hyslop said council’s website also had a wealth of information.

“We thank the community for their participation in CommunityConnect and look forward to continuing to find appropriate ways to engage with our community on topics including emergency preparedness and resilience,” she said.

The CommunityConnect platform will no longer be available after June 30.