The Bayindeen fires started on 22 February 2024, burning for more than two weeks and impacting large areas of the Pyrenees Shire. Around 22,000 hectares of farmland, residential areas and state forest were affected.
If you were impacted by the fire, there is help available to help you get back on your feet. These pages provide information about the services and support available to fire-impacted residents and businesses.
It can be difficult to know what to do after an emergency, but Council and the State Government can help you:
- Apply for payments and get financial help;
- Find services to support your recovery;
- Progress an insurance claim;
- Refer you to mental health or wellbeing services;
- Learn tips to help you or your family cope with stress;
- Get legal support;
- Get support for your business.
The Victorian Government has detailed recovery information on its website.
Read our Bayindeen-Rocky Road Fire Recovery Plan(PDF, 2MB).
To register your details with Council for fire recovery support, contact the Recovery Team on:
Phone - 1300 797 363
Email - recovery@pyrenees.vic.gov.au
Download a printable version of key recovery support information here (PDF, 219KB)
Do you need a helping hand around your property?
If you need help cleaning up your property after the fires, local service groups may be able to help. These groups have offered to help you with jobs you may not be able to do yourself at the moment, and that isn't covered by insurance.
Download and complete this form to lodge a request with Council and we will pass it on to service groups or you can call the Recovery Team:
The Regional Tech Hub provides free independent advice for anyone that has concerns about phone/internet connections. They can be contacted on 1300 081 029 or visit https://regionaltechhub.org.au
How are you feeling?
Ballarat Community Health (BCH) has a dedicated team in their new Community Resilience and Recovery Program to help you in your recovery focusing on your health and wellbeing. To be in contact with BCH please call Council's Recovery Team or the Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760. The BCH team are also available at the Beaufort Library on Wednesdays.
Sonia Gibson from Partners in Wellbeing also provides free support and advice to improve health and wellbeing for residents, small business owners and veterans. Sonia is available 9am-10pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends. You can call Sonia on 1300 375 330 or visit the website https://partnersinwellbeing.org.au
Both the BCH team and Sonia are locally based and are available to meet with you or give you a call.
Council's Recovery Team
Council’s Recovery Team is continuing recovery work following the Oct/Nov 2022 flood events and also the Bayindeen fire event in Feb 2024. The focus of the Team is to assist the long-term recovery to ensure residents and communities recover well. The team is available to provide support and advice and make referrals to other services. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via any of the following:
- Calling 1300 797 363
- Emailing recovery@pyrenees.vic.gov.au
- Calling team member’s mobile number
- Visiting the Recovery Centre on Wednesdays from 10am – 5pm at the Beaufort Resource Centre and Library.
- Popping into Council’s Beaufort Office during office hours.
Meet-The-Team.pdf(PDF, 331KB)
Drop in to Council's Recovery Centre
A member of Council’s Recovery Team will be available at the Beaufort Library and Resource Centre on Wednesdays from 10am to 5pm, if you are looking for information and support following the fires. Pop in and have a cuppa with Tony or Jane.
You can also phone the Recovery Team on 1300 797 363 or email them at recovery@pyrenees.vic.gov.au
Click on the pages below to find information relevant to your situation.