Grampians National Park Bushfire - December 2024
Southern Grampians Shire Council is here to help residents affected by the Grampians bushfires, which started 17 December 2024.
While the bushfire is not yet under control and given the extent of this fire and its ongoing nature, recovery will take time. This page contains a range of useful support links and information, and will be updated as more information comes to hand.
Disaster Relief Payments
The Albanese Labor Government is activating financial support for Victorians directly affected by bushfires burning in and around the Grampians National Park and Macedon Ranges – through the Disaster Recovery Allowance.
The Disaster Recovery Allowance provides up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders who have experienced loss of income as a result of recent bushfires in the Southern Grampians Shire.
It is available to people who work or live in a declared Local Government Area who have lost some or all of their income as a direct result of the disaster, and will earn less than the average Australian weekly income in the 13 weeks after this income loss.
Applications for the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) will open on 30 December 2024 from 2pm AEDT.
Members of the community are encouraged to seek information regarding eligibility and how to claim on the Services Australia website
Blaze Aid - Farmer Assistance with Fencing
BlazeAid has set up a basecamp at Willaura to assist farmers with fencing due to fire damage within the Grampians.
For farmers wanting assistance and those wanting to volunteer, visit website for more information.
You can also stay up-to-date with news via their Facebook page.
Need for Feed - Farmer Assistance
Need for Feed have been delivering donated livestock feed to farmers within the Grampians National Park bushfire emergency. If you are a farmer needing livestock feed assistance, please get in touch with Need for Feed.
If you would like to donate livestock feed to impacted farmers, visit their website for more information.
Need for Feed is a registered charity which was developed as part of a Lions Club project. You can stay up-to-date with Need for Feed news via their Facebook page.
Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West – Wellbeing Support
The RFCS service offers wellbeing support to help with mental stresses resulting from financial issues. RFCS Victoria West can help farmers and small business owners to:
- Develop strategies to cope with stress
- Recognise signs of poor health in themselves and/or their workers
- Set up a support network within family/friends/community
- Identify groups/activities within the community that can help
- Access health services through referrals.
- If you’re interested in speaking with a wellbeing counsellor, please contact RFCS Victoria West on 1300 735 578 or go to wswrcs.com.au/wellbeing
National Centre for Farmer Health Support Hub
The National Centre for Farmer Health is supporting primary producers through the delivery of initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing. Visit the NCFH for a range of mental health resources and information tailored for Victorian farmers and agricultural communities.
General Wellbeing Tips
- Remember to prioritise your own and your family’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also looking out for friends and neighbours who may also need extra support.
- Strong emotions are normal, especially during challenging times.
- Sharing your feelings with supportive people can make them easier to manage.
- While reflecting on what has happened is natural, also take time to recognise your strengths and the positive actions you took to stay safe during this time.
- Stay connected with others, even if you’re not ready to talk about the event. Try to avoid (or limit) using alcohol or drugs to cope. Instead, aim to prioritise your physical health with regular sleep, meals, and hydration.
- Recovery is a gradual process, and everyone’s recovery journey will be unique to them.
- Over these holidays, try to set realistic expectations for yourself and your family, and reduce unnecessary demands on yourselves.
Animal Welfare Needs
Agriculture Victoria field teams have been attending to animal welfare needs on fire-affected properties near the Grampians National Park.
This includes checking livestock and beehives.
If you have urgent animal welfare concerns on the fire ground, please contact the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
General Wellbeing Tips - Farmers
- Find someone you can talk to to discuss what you’ve experienced, and how you’re feeling about it.
- Visit and chat to other farmers who know what it’s been like and what you’ve been through.
- Focus on doing the essential activities around the farm, such as feeding livestock.
- Try to get away from the farm for a few hours or a day, to give yourself a bit of a break.
- Try to stick to family routines too, stop for meals, take regular breaks.
- Talk to your partner and children, they will also need support.
- Try to attend local recovery events.
General Wellbeing Tips - Supporting Others
- When you’re feeling able to, check in with family, friends and loved ones.
- Conversations around the bushfires can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but it is supportive to just let people know you are there for them if they need to talk and to know that they are there for you too.
- It’s okay if what you say isn’t perfect, sometimes just being there to listen - giving people an opportunity to feel heard and acknowledging their experience, is enough, and can make a real difference.
- You can also support people emotionally by offering practical support (e.g., providing food, offering transport, or finding out about support services for them).
Accessing Mental Health Support
Free, 24/7 wellbeing support is available, including over the holiday period.
The following services offer confidential support for anyone feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or in need of someone to talk to:
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
To find available services near you, visit the Better Health website:
Additional Useful Links - Mental Health Support
The Road to Resilience podcast provides helpful information about supporting yourself and others in the face of concurrent and compounding events.
For more information or practical strategies you may find helpful, please use the links below.
Grampians Bushfire Newsletters
The following is a summary of the Community Meeting held on Saturday 28 December at Dunkeld.
- Remain vigilant. The fires continue and it is early in the summer season with significant fuel remaining in the region. If you still don’t have a fire plan, establish one Your Bushfire Plan | CFA (Country Fire Authority)
- Stay connected and monitor the updates via Vic Emergency and act accordingly.
- Look out for each other, keep in contact with neighbours, family, and friends; be mindful that we all respond differently to fire events and the current conditions. If you need health support Home | National Centre for Farmer Health and/or RFCS Victoria West | Home
- Road closures are being altered to return access where there is no longer any risk. Hard closures (with VicPol personnel on site) need to be respected for everyone’s safety.
- Various support programs and packages are now available and those in need are encouraged to register Relief and Recovery - VicEmergency
- Fallen trees on roads yet to be cleared. Fallen tree management is being prioritised and addressed to ensure safe access for emergency services. All other local road impacts due to fallen trees should be reported through the local council. Private property owners remain responsible for the management of all trees on private property.
- Access to and replacement of water used for fire management. Relief and Recovery - VicEmergency
- Stock feed and fencing replacement. Relief and Recovery - VicEmergency, Need for Feed a project of Lions Clubs, and BlazeAid
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Wildlife management. Bushfires | Emergency management | Farm management | Agriculture Victoria and Wildlife Victoria - Australian Wildlife Emergency Response
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Impacts to businesses and support Relief and Recovery - VicEmergency
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Glenthompson’s water is back to full capacity and subsequently there is no impact to the Glenthompson reticulated customers safe drinking water supply.
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Wilaura - Glenthompson rural pipeline customers may be experiencing low water pressure or no water because of damage to the water supply infrastructure. GWMWater is working with the Incident Control Centre to reinstate water supply as quickly as possible. Approximately 20 properties have been notified of this current issue.
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Vic Emergency has commenced the on-ground impact assessments which are expected to take days to complete with final reports to be provided to the relevant state agencies and respective Council’s. These reports will also assist with Council and private property requests for relief and recovery funding and guide, particularly Council on required recovery actions.
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Hamilton Police Srn Sgt, Gerard Kelly, reiterated that if residents see anything or anyone that does not seem right to report it through the standard channels – Emergency 000, non-urgent reports 131 444 or via Hamilton Police Station.
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Fallen trees on roads are yet to be cleared. Fallen tree management is being prioritised and addressed to ensure safe access for emergency services. All other local road impacts due to fallen trees should be reported through the local council. Private property owners remain responsible for the management of all trees on private property.