For residents

If you're a resident that's been affected by the fires of February 2024, help is available.

Emergency Recovery Hotline

Phone 1800 560 760 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or register online at www.vi.gov.au/recovery-support

Services Australia disaster recovery payment

www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/western-victoria-bushfires-february-2024-australian-government-disaster-recovery-payment

Rates relief

If your property has been damaged or destroyed by fire, rates relief may be available through a revaluation. Contact Council on 1300 797 363 or rates.department@pyrenees.vic.gov.au

Mental health support

Ballarat Community Health - 0490 819 710

Headspace Ballarat (people aged 12 to 25) – 5304 4777

The Orange Door Ballarat – 1800 219 819

Uniting Care Ballarat – 5332 1286

BADAC – 5331 5344, extension 3

13YARN First Nations Support – 139 276

Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

Free clean-up support

Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) has engaged Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) to support clean-up efforts in communities impacted by the February 2024 Western Victorian bushfires. Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is a widely recognised organisation that recruits, trains, equips and deploys volunteers to help with disaster operations across the country. DRA volunteers are formed into ‘strike teams’ to ensure the work is done efficiently and safely.

A DRA Strike Team will be at the Raglan Hall from 9am-2pm on Tuesday 23 April 2024. Drop in to find out if you're eligible and register for this free service.

Eligibility

Property owners can register for support if:

  • their property is in an eligible council area;
  • they need support to clean up damage caused by the February 2024 Western Victorian bushfires; and
  • the work is not covered by insurance.

This free clean-up work is separate to ERV’s private property demolition program.

Registration

Property owners who need additional clean up support, that is not covered by insurance or ERV’s free demolition of damaged homes, can register by:

  • calling the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760; or
  • registering directly with a DRA representative in the area.

Process for property owners

After a property owner has registered for DRA support, a DRA representative will undertake a damage assessment. The assessment will include the works required by the DRA strike team to sufficiently clear the property of materials and debris. A hygienist will make sure appropriate measures can be put in place to manage safety and waste. A DRA strike team will undertake the works outlined in the damage assessment.

These works are entirely free for the resident.

Eligible work

The type of works and activities that may be eligible through DRA include:

  • Collection and removal of bushfire affected waste and debris
  • Clearing and processing of bushfire affected green waste
  • Dismantling of small bushfire-affected outbuildings 

 

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