Scotsburn Fire Recovery Information

Michelle Richards has been appointed the Fire Recovery Coordinator (Moorabool & Ballarat) and will be working from Village Place, 309 Learmonth Street, Buninyong on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 4.30pm to provide support to both Moorabool Shire Council and Ballarat City Council residents. Michelle will also be based in Ballan undertaking recovery activities on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Michelle can be contacted on 0400 324 551.

Michelle can provide assistance with the following:

• Contact back into community groups in the area
• Liaison with State Government Departments
• Community Events and Projects that will be coming up in the area
• Referrals to Counselling services and personal support
• Making direct contact into Council services for areas including Planning, Environmental Health, Building, Infrastructure and any other service you may require.

Sharon McArthur, Council’s Manager Child and Family Services is also providing a support role to residents in the Recovery Process.  Sharon can be contacted via the Moorabool Shire Council on 03 5366 7100 or will also be available by appointment in Buninyong on Mondays and Wednesday's

Council has organised 21 skips to go out into the Scotsburn area for fire-affected residents to dispose of rubbish.

These skips are for household rubbish only - not for burnt material.

Moorabool Shire Council and Central Highlands Water have placed three water carts in the fire-affected area for residents affected by the fire to access clean drinking water.

The locations of the water tanks are:

• Buningyong Recreation Reserve – 401-409 Cornish Rd, Buninyong
• Corner of Fishers and Pryors Roads, Scotsburn
• Corner of Midland Highway and Clarendon-Blue Bridge Road, Scotsburn

The Department of Health's Fact Sheet provides information on water tank cleaning and safety following a fire Factsheet (PDF, 205.68 KB).

Due to our very generous communities, donations of food, toys, clothes, bedding etc are no longer needed. We instead ask anyone who wants to help those affected by the Scotsburn fire to make a cash donation at Bendigo Bank, which has set up an account for fire-affected residents.

Account details for donations:

Bendigo Bank

• Account Name: Scotsburn Bushfire Appeal
• BSB: 633 00
• Account number: 156382715

The Anglican Hall in Buninyong is filled with clothes, toys and Christmas presents, and there is food and water at the relief centre for those who have been affected by the bushfires. Volunteers are currently sorting through all the donations.

Moorabool Shire Council and Ballarat City Council thanks the wonderful people who have donated in any way to help those impacted by this fire – your community spirit and generosity is inspiring and greatly appreciated.

Moorabool Shire Council and other agencies, provide support for those who need it following an emergency. We will post relevant information from all departments in here.

Fact Sheets from BetterHealth regarding trauma:

Trauma and families (PDF, 97 KB)

Trauma and primary-aged children (PDF, 88 KB)

Trauma reaction and recovery (PDF, 98 KB)

Community Recovery Video

Dr. Rob Gordon, a renowned psychologist and trauma expert, shares wisdom and learnings based on years of helping people find a path to recovery. Recovery sessions with Dr. Gordon were held in January and April 2016.

You will be able to hear a recording (provided in parts below) of Dr. Gordon's presentations by selecting the links below.

Should you require assistance, please contact Council's Recovery team on 0400 324 551.

Your Health and Safety - after the emergency (PDF, 479.46 KB

Bushfire Recovery - Recycling Materials

Bushfire Recovery - Asbestos (PDF, 89.63 KB)

Bushfire Recovery - Worksafe (PDF, 89.63 KB)

Bushfire Recovery - Fencing (PDF, 236.35 KB)

Bushfire aftermath safety tips

Airborne dust and health effects (PDF, 36.76 KB)

Using protective kits in bushfire affected areas (PDF, 129.89 KB)

Coping without gas or electricity in emergencies (PDF, 87.4 KB)

Leigh Catchment Group - Bushfire Information   

Insurance Council of Australia Support for Insurance Claims (PDF, 1.42 MB)

Clearing Native Vegetation Clause 52.17

Landscaping Bushfire Prone Areas (PDF, 5.62 MB)

More Fact Sheets with important information can be found at Victoria's Hub for Health Services and http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/recovery/farm-and-land-recovery-after-bushfire 

Fact Sheet - Sheep Feed; Fact Sheet - Feed Requirements for Cattle; Pasture Recovery after a Fire; Pasture Recovery - Quick Reference Guide;Fact Sheet - Re-Fencing; Farm Plan; Sediment Fences; DEDJTR Fire Recovery Kit;

Secure Containment Areas Fact Sheet; Beef Cattle Hay Requirements for Short Term Maintenance; Water Quality, Soil Erosion; Post Fire Weeds Triage Manual;

Bushfire Recovery - Farm Productivity

Bushfire Recovery - Erosion

Bushfire Recovery - Fauna

Bushfire Recovery - Weeds

Bushfire Recovery - Native Environment

Drought and About - May 2016 Newsletter from Agriculture VIC (PDF, 502.84 KB)

Financial Relief Fact Sheet (PDF, 89.88 KB)

Personal Hardship Assistance Program - Re-establishment Assistance (PDF, 502.84 KB)

Personal Hardship Assistance Program - Emergency Relief Assistance (PDF, 424.09 KB))

Rates Assistance from Council Application Form (PDF, 502.84 KB)

Wimmera South West Rural Financial Counselling Fact Sheets - Dairy, (PDF, 167.37 KB) Small Business, (PDF, 173.81 KB) One page (PDF, 166.86 KB)

Council has developed a range of initiative to fast track the rebuilding of homes and sheds following the Scotsburn fire. The Fast Track initiatives outlines the support available.

Fast Track initiatives (PDF, 1.95 MB)

Bushfire Management Statement Template (DOCX, 366.06 KB)