Townships welcome visitors!
Halls Gap welcomed visitors back on Wednesday 8th January and it is great to see Dunkeld, Moyston, Pomonal and Halls Gap townships and surrounding areas becoming more active. Businesses are looking forward to tourists supporting them over the coming weeks.
Grampians National Park Partially Reopened
On Friday 10th January, parts of the Grampians National Park unaffected by fire reopened. This includes the northern section of the Grampians Peaks Trail from Mt Zero to Halls Gap, including the Barigar, Gar, and Werdug campgrounds, Mackenzie Falls, and Zumsteins Historic Area. Some walking tracks south and west of the fire affected area have also opened to visitors, including Mt Sturgeon, Mt Abrupt and the Victoria Range.
Visitors are asked to be cautious of ongoing risks and changes in the environment which may include falling or damaged trees, smoke, and injured wildlife. Also have your VicEmergency app active and stay informed.
Parts of the Grampians National Park will remain closed for some time as crews continue to work until the fire affected areas are safe and ready to be accessed once again.
Members of the public may encounter fire crews and heavy machinery on roads and tracks. Please take care and drive safely.
Please visit the Parks Victoria website for updates about open and closed areas of the park at: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/grampians-national-park#change-of-conditions
Members of the public are reminded not to access the fire affected areas of the Grampians National Park, that remain closed. These areas are incredibly dangerous. Fines may apply if you are found behind road-closed signs.
Road Closures
Visitors are advised to check for road closures before travelling by checking Vic Traffic website www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au or calling 13 11 70.
Information About the Fire
On 6 January 2025, the bushfire in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park was declared contained. The fire began on 17 December after dry lightning started multiple fires in the southern part of the national park. With a fire footprint circumference of 422 kilometres, more than 76,000 hectares of national park and agricultural land has burned.
Victorian emergency services, with help from interstate crews worked extremely hard to combat the periods of extreme fire danger faced over recent weeks.
Water Replacement
Where water has been taken by fire agencies from domestic, stock or irrigation dams for firefighting operations and is essential for
• the health of affected residents and pets;
• the health and productivity of their stock; and
• agricultural and horticultural crops, permanent plantings, and intensive industries.
the water is to be replaced (quantity taken) as soon as practical when requested by the landholder.
If you believe you are eligible please visit DEECA website https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/recovery-after-an-emergency/public-land-recovery for further information on how to submit an application.
Disaster Recovery Allowance
Federal Disaster Recovery Allowance information is available from Services Australia. If you were seriously affected by the bushfires in Western Victoria which started on 17 December 2024, you could be eligible for this payment.
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/bushfires-western-victoria-december-2024
Emergency Relief Payments
Emergency relief payments are also available for eligible community members whose homes were in an evacuation area, and they evacuated, or whose homes can’t be lived in as they have been damaged by the bushfires in the Grampians National Park. Call the VicEmergency Hotline to apply for an Emergency Relief Payment on 1800 226 226 (press 9 for an interpreter). Or you can contact your local council www.vic.gov.au/know-your-council.
For up-to-date information on relief and recovery, visit the VicEmergency website: https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/
Emergency Relief Information
Visit the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website for emergency relief information:
www.dffh.vic.gov.au/emergency-relief
Agriculture Victoria – impacted farmers and animal welfare
Agriculture Victoria’s immediate focus is on any urgent animal welfare needs. Landholders impacted by the fires are asked to report any urgent animal welfare needs by phoning the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
For technical information about fire recovery including advice about stock water quality, feed management, animal health and nutrition, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
Farmers can also fill out an impact assessment form to self-report agricultural impacts.
Mental Health
It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions following a distressing event. There is always help available from your doctor. If you need urgent mental health support contact Grampians Health on 1300 247 647.
Support for farmers and small business owners include:
- The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) offers wellbeing support to help with mental stresses resulting from financial issues. Visit the RFCS Victoria West website or call 1300 735 578.
- The National Centre for Farmer Health (NCFH) is supporting primary producers through the delivery of initiatives to boost farmer mental health and wellbeing.
- Visit the NCFH website or call (03) 5551 8533 for a range of mental health resources and information tailored for Victorian farmers and agricultural communities.
Statewide services available:
- Lifeline - 131 114
- Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636
- MensLine - 1300 789 978
- Kid’s Help Line - 1800 55 1800
- Parent Line - 13 22 89
Family Violence
There is an increased risk of family violence after an emergency. Help is available. Visit www.vic.gov.au/familyviolence or call 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT).
Wildlife
If you see injured or distressed wildlife, contact the Wildlife Coordinator on 1300 356 682. Trained wildlife officers are deployed to the fire ground to lead accredited veterinarians to help with the assessment of wildlife when it is deemed safe to do so.
Wildlife carers are not allowed to operate independently of the fire agencies in declared fire zones. If unauthorized people are found on the fire ground, they will be removed.
Stay Informed
Warnings remain in place for the area, these may change over coming days due to weather and firefighting efforts.
Please stay informed via:
- www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
- VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226.
- VicEmergency app.
- Facebook or X (formally known as Twitter) - #VicFires
- Local radio ABC 594AM
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.
