Bushfire recovery
This page has information about support available to residents impacted by bushfire.
Little Desert Bushfire Recovery Support
Phone 0455 201 639 or email recovery@westwimmera.vic.gov.au
A recovery hub has been established at the Goroke Library. For opening times, check the West Wimmera Shire Council Facebook page or call 0455 201 639.
VicEmergency hotline - 1800 226 226
- The hotline is available 24/7 and can be used to access emergency information, during and after, major incidents in Victoria.
- Information about recovery support is also available on the VicEmergency website.
Disaster Recovery Allowance
Services Australia has an ongoing, short-term allowance to help people directly affected by the Bushfires in Western Victoria. The Disaster Recovery Allowance is a short-term (up to 13 weeks) allowance to help people who have lost income as a direct result of the bushfires. Equivalent financial assistance is also available to New Zealand citizens.
People directly affected by the bushfires have until 5 August 2025 to lodge a claim for the Disaster Recovery Allowance in the seven local government areas of Ararat, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Macedon Ranges, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians and West Wimmera.
For eligibility information, contact the Australian Government Emergency Information Hotline on 180 22 66 or visit:
Western Victoria Bushfires (commencing 16 December 2024)
Services Australia Disaster Support
What to do in a disaster
The What to do in a disaster fact sheet(PDF, 56KB) is a great resource if you've experienced disaster and need support.
Visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria website for further details.
Emergency contacts
Emergency Contacts List.pdf(PDF, 182KB)
Health advice
Please note: The information in some of these links is available in languages other than English
Disaster relief and business support
CommBank
Emergency assistance to customers and businesses affected by bushfires and other disasters. Visit the CommBank website for further details.
National Australia Bank
Disaster relief grants to customers severely impacted by natural disasters. Visit the National Australia Bank website for further details.
Business Victoria
Assistance for businesses impacted by bushfire flyer(PDF, 96KB)
Victorian Small Business Commission
Guidance for retail tenants requesting support from the landlords(PDF, 165KB)
Legal assistance
Disaster Legal Help Victoria
Support for people affected by disasters in Victoria. Call 1800 113 432 weekdays between 8am to 6pm for legal information and referrals.
Disaster Legal Help Flyer.pdf(PDF, 820KB)
Disaster Legal Help Victoria website
Counselling and mental health services
Trauma counselling, general counselling and mental health support services are available for anyone affected by the fires across the Wimmera and Grampians region.
Counselling and mental health support services flyer(PDF, 61KB)
Better Health
The Victorian Government's Better Health website has information on trauma and emergencies and helpful strategies on how to best manage trauma for you and your family.
Counselling, online and phone support for mental illness
Trauma recovery services
Rural Financial Counselling Service - Victoria West
Provides free, independent and confidential financial and wellbeing counselling services to farmers and small business owners in rural areas of Western Victoria.
P: 1300, 735 578 | E: admin@wswrcs.com.au | W: https://wswrcs.com.au/
Rural Financial Counselling Service disaster recovery flyer(PDF, 767KB)
Community newsletters and updates
VicEmergency Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park and surrounds community newsletters
Kerbside waste collection
Please continue to leave your bins out on your regular collection day. Our drivers will do their best to empty all bins, however delays may occur if road access is limited. If your bin is not emptied on your normal collection day, please leave it on the kerbside and we will return as soon as possible to collect it.
Fencing and essential water replacement
The Essential Water Replacement Scheme was put in place for the replacement of essential water used during bushfire operations by Victoria’s fire agencies.
If you believe essential water needs replacing on your property, please submit an essential water replacement claim form Essential water replacement form(PDF, 158KB) or visit the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action website.
Fencing and water replacement information(PDF, 1MB)
Help for wildlife
https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/wildlife-emergencies/wildlife-fire-emergencies
To report wildlife impacted by fire, call 1300 356 682.
Report an issue to Council
If you need to report a road, tree or other safety issue on Council-managed land that could pose an immediate risk to public safety, please report it online here.
Otherwise, call our customer service team on 13 99 72 during business hours, Monday to Friday.
Fire information
VicEmergency - Grampians is the leading source of up-to-date information for fires in our region but always use more than one source of information. For information on how to stay informed, click on the Important emergency information tab.
Make sure you have a portable battery operated radio and spare batteries to stay informed during an emergency in case your power is cut off.
Emergency awareness brochure.pdf
Plan and prepare for an emergency
To learn more about planning for bushfires and other emergencies, click on the Plan and prepare for an emergency tab.
Emergency preparedness brochure.pdf
Handy links