Google and Victorian Government work together on a Victorian Bushfires Events map

The Victorian Government and Google Australia have come together to develop the Victorian Bushfires Events map. This is not a map tracking the actual bushfires (see my previous post), but rather to give Victorian citizens information about where they can find events and fundraisers supporting victims of the fires. The map was announced yesterday on the Google Australia blog and on Wednesday by the Victorian Premier. From the Victorian Premier's annoucement:

People wanting to organise or find bushfire community events in their local area will now be able to do so easily thanks to a new online map developed by Google Australia’s engineers for the Victorian Government.

Premier John Brumby said the Victorian Bushfire Events map would be a wonderful way for people to find local events where they would be able to watch Sunday’s Together for Victoria service in Melbourne but also a useful tool for future local bushfire community events.

“People unable to make it to Melbourne on Sunday will now be able to find or host an event where they can be a part of the Together for Victoria memorial service in or near their local area,” Mr Brumby said.

“The generosity of Victorians and Australians has never been more evident in the aftermath of the devastating bushfires and going forward this online tool will assist people in promoting their local fundraisers.

“It will also assist in the organisation and staging of these events - events that are humbling in their generosity and community spirit, and very much appreciated by all Victorians.”

The Victorian Bushfire Events map will allow local community groups to advertise events and fundraisers, and people to find events in their local area, not only in Victoria but across Australia and the world.

It is encouraging to see Google and the Victorian Government working together on this, but disappointing that it didnt happen sooner when locational information about the actual fires was vital.