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Media Releases

State of Disaster extended for 48 hours

POSTED: 
9 January 2020

With bushfire conditions expected to deteriorate across Victoria from tomorrow, the current State of Disaster has been extended by the Premier Daniel Andrews for parts of the State for the next 48 hours.

The declaration is made where the Premier agrees there is an emergency that constitutes, or is likely to constitute, a significant and widespread danger to life or property.

This declaration will continue to give the Victorian Government the powers and resources it needs to keep Victorians safe. This extension continues from last week’s initial declaration of a State of Disaster. Last week’s declaration was the first time such powers have been used since they were included in the Emergency Management Act 1986 following the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

The declaration applies to the local government areas of East Gippsland Shire, Mansfield Shire, Wellington Shire, Wangaratta Rural Shire, Towong Shire, Alpine Shire, and Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts.

A State of Disaster:

  • may be declared to exist in the whole, or parts, of Victoria
  • exists immediately upon the making of the declaration and remains in force for one month (unless another declaration is made)
  • can be revoked or varied by the Premier at any time.

People in these areas must follow advice from emergency services. Do not travel to these areas and if you are in any of these areas, leave now if it is safe to do so. The community should monitor advice and warnings at emergency.vic.gov.au.

Potential areas of impact in the North East ad East Gippsland for Friday, 10 January 2020 have also been shared with the community so they can understand their risk and prepare to leave.

You can find the map and information here: https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/residents-and-visitors-in-east-gippsland-and-north-east-should-leave-now-as-fire