Thomson & Walhalla-Stoney Creek Fires - Community Update 22 Feb 2019

What is Council doing/What is Council’s Role?

This page was last updated on 22 February 2019.

You can find printable issue of this and other specific fact sheets at the foot of the page under 'Related Information'.

  • Council Officers have completed Municipal Secondary Impact Assessments of properties and impacts on roads maintained by Council, in the fire affected areas.
  • The recovery process involves cooperation by community, industry, organisations, Government, and the private sector to support:
    • the emotional, social, spiritual, financial and physical wellbeing of
    • individuals and communities
    • the restoration of essential infrastructure and services
    • the revitalisation of the local economy
    • the rehabilitation of the natural environment.

The Walhalla Cricket Ground track and the walking track to the cricket ground is now open. Some roadside slashing is continuing on the Walhalla Cricket Ground track. Visitors are asked to drive with caution and observe machinery working on the roadside signage.

Many of the tracks within the Walhalla Historic area and surrounding State Forest remain closed while safety assessments and works are undertaken.

For information about closures within the Walhalla Historic area please contact Parks Victoria on 131963 or check the Vic Traffic website or call 13 11 70 for road closures.

The community are advised that driving or entering beyond a road closure point could void any of your insurances. A full list of closures can be found on the VicRoads website www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Council has been promoting the reopening of Walhalla and the neighbouring towns of Erica and Rawson via mainstream and social media.

Council has engaged a professional photographer to update images of key tourist attractions in the Walhalla and Mountain Rivers region.

Community

  • Council has met with business and community members to discuss the potential opportunities to boost tourism to support the region.
  • Community recovery fact sheets are available from the foot of this page, under 'Related Information'
  • A short video on how you can help yourself to recover can be found via https://youtu.be/ia4ZU-KksyY

Water (Tank)

  • Residents with contaminated tank potable water may be eligible to receive assistance from DELWP for water replacement.
  • DELWP are assisting fire affected residents who have tank water as their only source of potable water with tank cleaning and replacement. Residents within the fire affected areas must register with Council by 20 March 2019. Complete the form included in this update. Send the form to Council, bring it to one of our customer service centres or email to emergency.management@bawbawshire.vic.gov.au
  • DHHS and Council recommend that those with tank water, check to ensure it is safe for consumption. Information on health and safety of tank water can be found via https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/bushfires-and-water-tanks
  • Tanks should be cleaned if contaminated before replenishing your water supply. Council does not provide cleaning or replenishing services of tanks.
  • Properties with ash on roofs should follow the information from the Better Health website link above.

Water (Dam)

Clean Up

  • Residents wanting to return to their properties to commence cleaning up may need to gain approval to access their properties as works to make the area safe are ongoing. Residents wanting to access their properties can contact Council’s Municipal Recovery Manager on 1300 229 229, who will liaise with the Incident Controller to make sure that it is safe for you to do so. Your safety is paramount.
  • Council Officers will be contacting impacted residents in relation to the support that will be made available to assist with cleaning up and removal of waste.
  • Residents who have properties that have been damaged or destroyed and are planning to start cleaning up are encouraged to read the fact sheets regarding property clean up from DHHS.
  • Asbestos materials may be present on some properties. Residents need to be aware of the risks of asbestos. Information in relation to asbestos can be found via https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/environmental-public-health/environmental-health-in-the-home/asbestos-in-the-home
  • DHHS have fact sheets available to assist people preparing to return to their properties to undertake clean ups. Information can be found via https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/emergencies/emergency-type/natural-disasters/bushfire-factsheets

Rebuilding

  • Residents considering rebuilding should seek advice from a private building surveyor.

Contact Us

  • We’re here to help! For more information please contact Council on 1300 BAW BAW (1300 229 229).
  • For life threatening emergencies, always call triple zero 000.
  • For flood and storm emergencies call VIC SES on 132 500.