2024 Grampians Bushfire
The following information is in relation to the current Grampians National Park - Yarram Gap Rd bushfire emergency, which started on December 17, 2024.
Please note - all media enquiries can be directed to the contacts at the bottom of this page.
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Update | Monday, December 20, 2024
RELIEF CENTRES CLOSED
Following the reopening of Halls Gap to residents, Stawell Emergency Relief Centre is now closed. Relief centres at Ararat, Skipton and Hamilton are also closed.
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FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Disaster Recovery Allowance: Northern Grampians Shire residents who have lost income as a direct result of the 2024 Grampians fires might be eligible for the Federal Government's Disaster Recovery Allowance. More information about the allowance, including eligibility and how to apply, is available here.
Personal Hardship Assistance Program: The program helps people experiencing financial hardship in emergencies. The program includes Emergency Relief Payments and Re-establishment Assistance.
You are eligible for an Emergency Relief Payment if:
and
To apply for payment, call the VicEmergency Hotline on1800 226 226. Press 9 for an interpreter.
Once you have registered, a relief payment officer will call you back. If you can, have some identification ready for the call.
Identification can include a driver’s license, Medicare card or letter or utility bill showing your address.
More information about the program is available here.
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Notes from Halls Gap Community Meeting 29/12/24
Please see below for a brief recap of the Halls Gap Community Meeting on Sunday, December 29.
FIRE UPDATE
The Grampians National Park-Yarram Gap Road fire has burnt more than 76,000 hectares in the national park and adjoining private property.
- There is still a lot of work to be done to make sure fire edges are safe.
- While a lot of the fire edges have been contained, there are still two areas of concern: On the Reids Lookout area in the Mt Victory Road section and a spot on the southern part of Halls Gap-Sundial area. Crews are working on those areas today, either with machinery or burning out to control lines.
- While the active areas of this bushfire are partially contained, there is still risk. The risk will remain for a significant amount of time – there is no rain in the forecast and the conditions are extremely dry. The next few days will test us. We are not out of the woods yet. The fire will burn for weeks to come but we are committed to stopping it.
- Authorities are still imploring the community to keep an eye on the emergency messaging, via the VicEmergency App or website.
For a more in-depth fire update, please see a standalone video of Forest Fire Management Victoria’s Glenn Rudolph, pinned to the top of the Northern Grampians Shire Council Facebook page.
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ENTRY TO HALLS GAP
- Entry to Halls Gap is still restricted to residents, business owners, or holiday house owners who can produce a rates notice.
- Incident leaders are looking into permits for staff as well as potential exemptions (on a case-by-case basis), for people with health or other significant issues.
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WATER SAFETY
Although firefighters have not used retardant around Halls Gap, you should still disconnect your downpipes and hose off your roof catchment areas to prevent contaminants entering your tanks.
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WHEN WILL THE PARK REOPEN?
- The fire-affected area will remain closed for some time (months), until authorities are happy that hazardous trees, campsites, roads and so on are safe.
- Appropriate people will walk the Grampians Peaks Trail to ensure it is safe before it can reopen.
- Authorities are very aware of the impacts of the park’s closure on local businesses so will work hard to open sections as soon as they think it is safe to do so.
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FROM RESPONSE TO RECOVERY
- While we are currently in the ‘response’ phase of the bushfire emergency, council is already turning its attention to the ‘recovery’ phase.
- Council will be the key contact for support and recovery for Northern Grampians Shire residents.
- Council leaders will prepare a recovery plan alongside an Incident Recovery and Planning Committee. Council will be working side-by-side with partners including Regional Development Victoria, Emergency Recovery Victoria, Parks Victoria, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Tourism and our neighbouring councils.
- The timescale for recovery is expected to be quite long given the extent of this fire and its ongoing nature.
- The Halls Gap community is well-placed to recover quickly. There is a very strong sense of community connection.
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RELIEF PAYMENTS
- Emergency Recovery Victoria is working with council to provide the community with the support it needs. Recovery takes time but help is available. Emergency Relief Payments are now available for our residents affected by the fires. You can call the VicEmergency Hotline to apply for an Emergency Relief Payment on 1800 226 226 (press 9 for an interpreter). Your details will be registered, and a Relief Payment Officer will call you back to assist you with your application.
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POLICE RESOURCES
- Community safety is the primary role of Victoria Police in a bushfire emergency. VicPol still has one remaining staffed traffic management point, which will be in operation until the Incident Control Centre says it is no longer required. Several fixed traffic points have been closed in favour of having ‘roving police’. Officers are on the lookout for people who ‘don’t belong’, whether they be ‘sticky-beakers or people who are here for more nefarious means’.
- Superintendent Sharon McCrory reiterated that police are not too busy to help Halls Gap residents despite the significant resources deployed in the region. In case of emergency, call triple zero (000). If you see suspicious activity, call Halls Gap Police Station on (03) 5356 4411 or file a police report online at www.police.vic.gov.au/report
- Superintendent McCrory also acknowledged the patience and grace of the community in the most difficult of times.
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THANK YOU
Halls Gap CFA captain Justin Couzens thanked everyone involved in all aspects of the fire – from those running it and fighting it, to the community members who heeded the warnings and to all the people who donated items including food, water and coffee.
“I’m very proud of everyone who stepped up and I’m really grateful to have the team that I have,” he said.
“It’s obviously not over, so keep listening out to those warnings and advice.”
Keep scrolling for previous updates, along with links to support services and ways you can stay informed.
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Rubbish collection
The residential kerbside collection service scheduled for Monday, December 30 will go ahead as planned, provided it remains safe to do so. The collection is for general waste and recycling.
Collection will start from 5am, so please ensure you put out your bins on Sunday night.
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How do I stay up to date with what is happening?
Use multiple sources to stay informed:
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Accessibility services:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
- To access this information in other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
- If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.
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Smoke:
There is currently plenty of smoke in the region. If you are affected by smoke, we recommend staying inside, closing windows and doors, and making sure you have any medication close by. If you are driving in smoky conditions, turn on your headlights and take extra care. If driving in thick smoke, close windows and put air-conditioning on re-circulation. If smoke becomes an issue and you need to pull over, make sure you're clear of the roadway and turn on your hazard lights.
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Animal welfare:
Agriculture Victoria is working with fire agencies and impacted communities to assess any agricultural impacts from the fires in the Grampians National Park.
Its immediate focus is on any urgent animal welfare needs. If your property has been impacted and you have urgent animal welfare needs, please contact the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
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If you are unable to leave, you should seek shelter inside:
- Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from pure cotton or wool. Wear leather boots and heavy-duty leather gloves.
- Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. Turn off cooling systems.
- Shelter in a room that has a door and/or a window to the outside. The building can protect you from radiant heat. It is critical to keep an eye on what is happening with the fire.
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If your home catches on fire:
- Move away from the rooms that are on fire, closing doors behind you.
- As soon as the bushfire has passed the house, or the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt. Staying inside a burning building will almost certainly end in death.
- It may still be too hot to remain outside, so you will need to seek shelter in another structure or last resort option.
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Support resources for those impacted:
Trauma counselling, general counselling and mental health services available(PDF, 171KB)
After a fire: returning home safely(PDF, 144KB)
After a fire: private drinking water and water tank safety(PDF, 139KB)
We urge all residents and the broader community to understand the ongoing risk of the bushfires in Grampians National Park.
With fire currently impacting many areas within our shire, and some potential extreme weather forecast over the coming days, you may be experiencing a range of physical, mental and emotional reactions this holiday season.
If you or someone you know is feeling strong emotions there are some practical strategies you may find helpful, accessible through the links below.
The Victorian Government also has information on trauma and emergencies, and helpful strategies on how to best manage trauma for yourself or family members. Visit Better Health for more information.
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All media enquiries can be directed to:
Steff Cairns, Coordinator Communications, stephanie.cairns@ngshire.vic.gov.au
Sarah Matthews, Senior Media & Communications Officer, sarah.matthews@ngshire.vic.gov.au