2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires

Where to go for recovery information

Dimboola Recovery Centre

A recovery centre is open at Dimboola Library, 101 Lloyd Street, Dimboola.

Council will have staff at the Dimboola Library and Customer Service Centre this week who will continue to provide recovery services to the community.

Friday 14 February 2025, 9am – 12pm and 2pm – 5pm

If community members visit outside of these hours, staff will take your details and give you a call to arrange an appointment or provide support over the phone.

Staff will also be available at the Nhill Customer Service Centre during opening hours to provide recovery services to community members.

You can get recovery information and support at the centre from:

the Hindmarsh Shire Council
Uniting Vic
Victorian Government agencies.

Financial help

Emergency relief payments

Emergency relief payments are available for people impacted by the Western Victoria bushfires. You may be eligible if:

your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the bushfire and you can’t live in it, or
your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property, and
you have unmet immediate relief needs.

An emergency relief payment can help you to pay for things you need most, including:

food
clothing
medication
accommodation

Emergency relief payments are designed to provide immediate financial help for eligible Victorians experiencing financial hardship due to the bushfires.

Emergency relief payments are based on a fixed amount for each member of your household. The payment is not calculated based on how much money you earn.

Payments are $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family.

To apply for a payment:

Visit a relief centre or recovery hub, or
Call the VicEmergency Hotline on1800 226 226(press 9 for an interpreter). You will be transferred to a Relief Payment Officer who can assist you with your application.

Have some ID ready, if you can, like:

driver’s license
Medicare card
letter or utility bill showing your address.

More information

For translated fact sheets on relief payments please visit the Personal Hardship Assistance Program page of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website.

For more information on emergency relief payments or other relief services, you can:

Call VicEmergency on 1800 226 226 (press 9 for an interpreter)
Contact your local council www.vic.gov.au/know-your-council

Disaster Recovery Allowance

People who live or work in the following local government areas may be eligible for the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA):

Ararat
Hindmarsh
Horsham
Macedon Ranges
Northern Grampians
Southern Grampians
West Wimmera.

The allowance provides up to 13 weeks of income support for workers and sole traders who have experienced loss of income due to the recent bushfires.

It is available to people who work or live in a declared Local Government Area and:

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 following this income loss.

Find information regarding eligibility and how to claim on the Services Australia website.

Support for businesses

Liquor licence waiver

If you are affected by disaster and hold a liquor licence you may request a waiver of your liquor licence renewal fee. Complete the fee waiver application on the Liquor Control Victoria website.

Resources for businesses

Business Victoria – Prepare, respond and recover – Useful information and resources for businesses to access after a major emergency.

Returning home after a bushfire

After a bushfire has passed, conditions may still be dangerous. If you have evacuated, do not return home until emergency services say it is safe to do so. When returning home, watch for hazards such as fire-affected trees or damaged roads and footpaths.

There may be damaged asbestos on a property following a fire. The safest way to have asbestos removed is to hire a licensed removalist.

Information and factsheets

Australian Red Cross – Returning home after a bushfire - Practical questions to consider if you are returning home after a bushfire.
Better Health – Bushfire aftermath - safety tips - Advice about how to protect your safety when returning home, including inspecting your property and cleaning up your home.
Victorian Building Authority – Bushfire resources and guides - Guidelines that cover hazards that can be found on properties after a bushfire and who to contact. Additional resources can be found on the VBA website including a guide to a safe return to your property after a bushfire.
Agriculture Victoria – What to do after a bushfire - Advice for farmers who have experienced agricultural impacts from a bushfire, such as losses of stock and farming assets.

Insurance

If your property was damaged, the Insurance Council of Australia has information about:

You can also contact:

A financial counsellor through the National Debt Helpline - 1800 007 007
The Australian Financial Complaints Authority for independent dispute resolution for financial complaints
Disaster Legal Help Victoria to speak to someone about your legal questions

Health and wellbeing

People can have varied reactions after a disaster. there is practical information and advice for:

Support services

Support for people impacted by family violence

There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone.

1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by family violence. To talk to someone:

Call 1800 737 732
Text something like “hello” to 0458 737 732, or
Chat online at 1800respect.org.au

Reach out for support

If you or a loved one needs extra support, there are services that can help:

Reach out to family, friends or neighbours 
Contact your GP 
Lifeline 13 11 14
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Last updated 2:40pm Friday 14 February 2025

RR Sort Order:

	Evacuation An evacuation is recommended or procedures are in place to evacuate.
	Emergency Warning You are in imminent danger and need to take action now. You will be impacted.
	Watch and Act / Warning An emergency is heading toward you. Conditions are changing and you need to take action now to protect yourself and your family.
	Advice An incident is occurring or has occurred in the area. Access information and monitor conditions.
	All Clear Emergency activity in the area has subsided and is no longer a danger to you.
	Community Update Specific information and updates for affected communities regarding a particular event or incident.
	Warning Area Colour area shows the predicted warning area at the time of issue. This colour can be yellow (Advice), orange (Watch & Act / Warning), red (Emergency Warning) or red line with a grey fill (Recommendation to Evacuate)

	Fire - Not Yet Under Control The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Fire - Contained, Under Control, or Safe The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Planned Burn The general location of a planned burn that is currently underway on public land. Firefighters are managing the burn but flames and smoke may be visible. Read More (external link opens in new window) Note: In most cases, the location of the icon shows the starting point of the planned burn.
	Flood Indicates the location of reported flooding that may be impacting on houses, roads, property and other infrastructure. Flooding may be caused by rain, river overflow, tidal surges, or dam failure. The depiction of an area communicated in a Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning including Flood Watch, Minor Flood, Moderate Flood and Major Flood.
	Vehicle Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a car or other motor vehicle and wash aways.
	Aircraft Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a plane, helicopter or other aircraft.
	Rail Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a train or tram.
	Marine Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a ship, boat or other watercraft.
	Rescue The reported location of a person trapped as a result of a industrial or recreational accident, trench or structure collapse, or a similar incident.
	Hazardous Material The reported location of a spill or leak of a hazardous liquid, gas or solid. This could include chemical, radiological, biological materials, a petrol or oil spill, a ruptured gas main or an industrial leak. Note: In most cases, the location of the icon depicts where the hazardous material is reported to be located and may not show how far it has spread.
	Earthquake An earthquake or other land-based seismic event has been recorded and reported by Geoscience Australia (external link opens in new window)
	Tsunami A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a Tsunami in the area.
	Landslide The location of a reported landslide event.
	Storm A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for thunderstorms, hail and/or blizzards in this area.
	Tornado/Cyclone A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a tornado or cyclone in the area.
	Damaging Winds A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for strong or damaging winds in the area.
	Building Damage A request has been made for assistance to help make a damaged building or structure safe.
	Tree Down (traffic hazard) A request has been made for assistance to remove a tree or branch that has fallen in the area – it may be blocking or impacting a path, track or roadway.
	Fallen Power Lines A request has been made for assistance to remove a fallen power pole or power lines in the area.
	Medical / Human Health The reported location of a human health incident or a request for medical assistance.
	Animal Health The reported location of an animal health incident or a request for animal rescue.
	Oiled Wildlife The reported location of Oiled Wildlife or a request for animal rescue (Oiled).
	Animal Plague Reported location of vertebrate pest plague such as rats, rabbits. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Insect Plague Reported location of an insect plague such as locusts. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Dam Failure The reported location of a dam failure.
	Shark Sighting Reported location of a shark sighting. This is likely to result in a beach closure by Life Saving Victoria
	Water Pollution The reported location of polluted waterways either inland or marine.
	Plant Health The reported location of a significant plant health or disease incident.
	Other This could be an equipment fault, inspection, trivial call, or an operation to assist another agency.

	Total Fire Ban A Total Fire Ban is currently in force for this area. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Road Closed / Affected There is a partial or full road closure at this location. Note: Not all road issues are reported on this site. Further information may be available from VicRoads (external link opens in new window) .
	Rail Disruption Rail services have been affected. This may result in cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from Public Transport Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Airport / Airspace Restrictions Air services have been affected. This may result in cancellations, delays or closure of airspace.
	Port Closure / Waterway Restrictions Services or access have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full closure and may cause cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from the Port of Melbourne (external link opens in new window) .
	Power Outage A power outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant power company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Gas Outage A gas outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant gas company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Water Outage / Affected Water has been affect or is unavailable in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant water provider. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Park / Forest Closure There is a full or partial park closure at this location. Further information may be available from Parks Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Beach Closure The beach has been closed in this location. Closures could be in relation to weather, dangerous conditions or shark sightings.
	School Closure Services at an education facility have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full facility closure. Further information may be available from the particular education facility or Department of Education and Training (external link opens in new window) .
	Other - Closed / Restricted Access There is a partial or full closure at this location. This could be affecting a public space, sporting facility or commercial space.

	Community Meeting / Information Point Shows the location of community meetings or information points to help keep the public informed during emergencies. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Refuge / Relief Centre The location of an established Community Fire Refuge or Relief Centre to assist people impacted by an emergency.
	Neighbourhood Safer Place Location of a designated Neighbourhood Safer Place. This is a place of last resort when all other fire plans have failed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Community Document Planning and preparation information, such as Community Information Guide (CIG) or Local Flood Guides. These guides are a key source of emergency information for the community. Read more (external link opens in new window) .

	Cluster Icon There are multiple warnings or incidents in this location and you will need to select the icon or zoom in to display them all.
	Incident Area Depicts the extent of an area impacted by an incident at a point in time. While this information will be updated regularly it may not represent the current extent of the impact.
	Fire Danger Ratings Displays the forecast Fire Danger Rating. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Rain Radar The radar map overlay shows the location of rain using different colours to depict rainfall intensity. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Wind Direction Shows the location's current wind direction and speed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Thunderstorm Tracker The Thunderstorm Tracker (external link opens in new window) map overlay shows the location of storm cells using different colours to depict rainfall intensity.

Relief & Recovery

Current Events

Floods East Gippsland April 2022

Victorian Fires 2019-20

General Information

Southwest Fires March 2018

North East Fires 2019-20

Previous Incidents

Floods and storms June 2021

Storm

Blue-Green Algae

Wellbeing

Fire

Flood

Earthquake

Tsunami

2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires

2024-25 Western Victoria bushfires

On this page

Where to go for recovery information

Dimboola Recovery Centre

Financial help

Emergency relief payments

Disaster Recovery Allowance

Support for businesses

Liquor licence waiver

Resources for businesses

Returning home after a bushfire

Insurance

Health and wellbeing

Support services