Community Newsletter Upper Murray Community Wednesday 8th January 2020

MONITOR CHANGES TO THE SITUATION. Increased wind Stay Informed speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing. www.emergency.vic.gov.au. Review your fire plan and ensure you are ready to act if the VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226. situation changes VicEmergency app. Facebook or Twitter #vicfires The fire situation has been changing rapidly and this is Local radio: ABC Radio is the National Emergency expected to continue for some time. Broadcaster - make sure you have a battery-operated radio available with a supply of batteries, to stay informed should power be cut.

Fire Situation You can listen to ABC Radio on the following stations:

• - and Wangaratta 106.5FM There are two large fires across the border in southern NSW. • Bright 89.7FM There is a chance these fires and/or other fires to the south • of Victoria will join with the fires burning in the Upper Murray 99.7FM area of Victoria. • Myrtleford 91.7FM

The current fire area is estimated to be 190,000ha, with minimal fire behaviour observed on Monday. What We Don’t Know

Roads are still dangerous due to fire damage and the risks There have been significant proper and stock losses. There associated with tree damage. As they are assessed and are no official numbers available from the assessments cleared for use, they will be reopened for residents. In the being conducted. The results of these assessments are meantime, there are many road closures still in place. guiding rehabilitations and recovery works.

With a spike in fire weather later this week the fire situation Warning Messages with become unpredictable. This will be a challenge for firefighters and communities. Current as at 7:00am 08/01/2020 Significant efforts have been directed towards preparing WATCH & ACT Message - current for: community infrastructure and assets and to help minimise , , Towong, Walwa, , Burrowye, the impact of the high fire danger weather. , Lucyvale, Nariel Valley, Shelley, Colac Colac, Corryong, Cudgewa, Cudgewa North, Dartmouth, Guys Forest, Mount Alfred, Thowgla, Thowlga Upper, Thowlga Health Impacts Valley , , Georges Creek, Glen Valley , , Mitta Mitta, Talgarno, Valley and surrounding Corryong Health Services Ph 02 6076 3290 are available communities. for health-related concerns.

Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24. This phone service allows Advice message- current for: you to discuss any health related issue with a registered Berringama, Bucheen Creek, Bullioh, Bungil, Burrowye, nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local Cravensville, Darbyshire, Dartmouth, Georges Creek, Glen call from anywhere in Victoria. If you or anyone in your care is Valley, Granya, Henlow, Koetong, Lucyvale, Mitta Mitta, experiencing symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, Nariel Valley, Shelley, Talgarno, Tallangatta East, call Nurse-on-Call or seek medical advice. Tallangatta South, Tallangatta Valley, The Cascade, Thologolong, Wyeebo. Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty breathing should call Triple Zero (000). Community notification- current for: Corryong

Regularly check for updates to warnings and immediately follow the advice in the warning.

For further information - Go to: http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ and listen to local ABC Radio, the National Emergency Broadcaster.

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Heat Asbestos

During extreme heat, make sure to: During a fire, the amount of asbestos fibres released into the • Drink plenty of water. air is relatively low. However, pieces of asbestos material • Always take a bottle with you. and some fibres may remain in the fire debris and present a • Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars. risk to public health if they are disturbed while cleaning up • Plan ahead. after a fire. This Environment Protection Authority fact sheet • Schedule activities in the coolest part of the day. ‘After a fire- Asbestos Hazards’ provides information about • Keep cool. the health risks of asbestos and safe disposal of asbestos • Seek out air-conditioned buildings. after a fire.

• Check-in on others.

• Look after those most at risk in the heat. Water Supply

Smoke Reticulated Supplies

Key points about bushfire smoke and your health We ask residents to be mindful of their water usage and • If maximum visibility is 1km or less, your air quality only use what is necessary. Current supplies are adequate is in the hazardous level, and you need to limit your but may be compromised in the coming days, due to expected time outdoors and limit your exercise. higher temperatures and depending on the situation. • Bushfire smoke is a mixture of differently sized particles, water vapour and gases, including carbon Water Contamination monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides. If your area is affected by bushfires, your water source could • Fine particles and gases in bushfire smoke are become contaminated from debris, ash or dead animals. You small enough to be breathed deep into the lungs should not source water from a creek that has been affected and can cause health effects. For regular updates by bushfire as the water may be contaminated. on what you should do, listen to your local emergency radio station or visit Water drawn from deep bores or wells should still be safe to www.emergency.vic.gov.au use. If you suspect contamination, use an alternative water • People with a heart or lung condition, including supply for drinking and food preparation. asthma, children up to 14 years, pregnant women

and people over 65 years of age are more sensitive Resources: to the effects of breathing in smoke. • Bushfires and private drinking water supplies • If you have a heart or lung condition, take your https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliv medication as prescribed. Asthmatics should follow ing/bushfires-and-water-tanks their personal asthma action plan and keep reliever • Bushfire and Public Health medication on hand. Anyone experiencing difficulty https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public- breathing, wheezing or tightness in the chest should health/environmental-health/climate-weather-and- seek urgent medical assistance call 000. public-health/bushfires-and-public-health

Wearing a Face Mask

• It is better to stay indoors, away from the smoke unless you cannot avoid working outdoors. • Ordinary paper dust masks, handkerchiefs or bandannas do not filter out fine particles from bushfire smoke and are generally not very useful in protecting your lungs. • Special face masks called' P2' masks filter bushfire smoke providing greater protection against inhaling fine particles. They are available at most hardware stores.

However, before deciding to wear a mask you should understand that:

• They can be hot and uncomfortable to wear they

can make it harder for you to breathe normally. Anyone with a pre-existing heart or lung condition should seek medical advice before using them • If the seal around the face and mouth is poor the mask is much less effective men should be clean shaven to get a good seal • The masks do not filter out gases such as carbon monoxide

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Animal Welfare Community Support

For urgent animal welfare and needs for pets, horses and Community Support is available through the livestock including food and water contact Ph 1800 226 226 Towong Shire Council hotline phone 02 6071 5180 or visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information. Community Meetings Hay deliveries have been made within the fire area and more deliveries are planned when they can be completed safely Tallangatta Valley Ph 1300 882 833 between 9am-5pm There is a community meeting scheduled for 10am Wednesday January 8 at the Tallangatta Valley Hall, Escorted convoys of milk tankers and fuel and other supplies Tallangatta Creek Rd, Tallangatta Valley have been occurring wherever possible. Mitta Mitta Landholders needing emergency fodder for livestock should There is a community meeting scheduled for 3pm contact the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) on Ph 1300 Wednesday Janauary 8 at the Mitta Mitta Sports and 882 833 between 9am and 5pm or email [email protected] Community Centre, 1784 Mitta North Road, Mitta Mitta Agriculture Victoria (AgVic) is working from DELWP Wodonga assessing stock injuries and losses. Local Shires Relief Information and AgVic are working together regarding the disposal of livestock. Contact the Towong Shire for assistance with Relief centres have been established at livestock disposal 02 6071 5100. • Corryong - High School, Towong St, 8am-8pm • Tallangatta - Memorial Hall, Towong St, 8am-8pm • Wangaratta- Wangaratta Showgrounds, Golf Link Lane Livestock after an Emergency and Farm Recovery • Wodonga- Australian Defence Force Relief Resources: Accommodation at Latchford Barracks – Bonegilla, http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/rec Wodonga (register at the Wondonga ‘Cube’ before going overy/livestock-after-an-emergency to the Barracks)

If you relocate Infrastructure and Essential Services • People in affected areas are encouraged to register with

the Red Cross at: Power Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross.org.au/ or Power outages are affecting many areas inside and outside by calling 1800 727 077 • of the fire area. Use Register to let people know you are Corryong Residents – interim power reconnected BUT only safe. Use Find to look for people you know may be affected by an emergency. for essential services – turn off appliances not required. This includes appliances on stand-by i.e. TVs, stereos, pool Mental Health pumps, chargers etc. If your fridge or freezer is empty or not being used turn it off; this is to stop drawing unnecessary It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions power from the grid. Air Conditioners can be used but it is following a distressing event. There is always help available advised not to keep them on all night. through your doctor and local mental health professionals. You can call the following for support at any time: For residents in other impacted areas it is not known at this • Lifeline - 131 114 stage when power will be reconnected. Residents in fire • Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 impacted areas should be considering alternative power • MensLine - 1300 789 978 arrangements. Ongoing power outages will be likely in the • Kid’s Help Line - 1800 55 1800 coming days. • Parent Line - 13 22 89 Check AusNet Website for outages: https://www.ausnetservices.com.au/Outages/Electricity- Financial Assistance Outages. The AusNet Facebook page provides regular updates. Households in the Towong Shire can now access the following emergency payments to relieve personal hardship. Communications • Emergency Relief Assistance Payments • Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment What to do during power outages. • Disaster Recovery Allowance There have been significant impacts by the fires on • Emergency Re-establishment Payments communications towers and other infrastructure. Information about financial counselling, insurance and Limited NBN and Telstra services are now available. Please replacing documents and identification is also available. be aware that services may be interrupted again due to fire http://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/ activity in the coming days. More information can be found at More information is provided on your local council’s website www.energy.vic.gov.au and social media channels

https://knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au/ Information on NBN outages can be found at https://downdetector.com.au/status/nbnco/map/

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• Access to Corryong is only via the Murray Valley No Food Donations Required- thank you. Highway. All other access routes in the area will not be open. Multiple other road closures remain in Please do not donate goods as relief centres are place. overwhelmed by donations and it is diverting resources away • Essential and emergency services in Corryong may from critical tasks. The best way people can help is through not be connected and will be limited, including financial donations. electricity and water supply. • Residents can only return if they are self-sufficient. The Victorian Bushfire Appeal provides a formal channel for This means you will need to have your own supplies the public to donate money directly to affected families and of food, water, medication and fuel. communities. 100% of donated funds will go directly to those • Areas outside the built up area of Corryong have in need. To donate please visit vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal not been assessed as safe and are not accessible. Residents should restrict their travel to built up VicEmergency Hotline areas of the Corryong township only.

Contact VicEmergency Hotline on Ph 1800 226 226 to speak to someone about recovery. They can connect you with Traffic management points are located: people who can help. Bullioh- / Granya Road

Current Park Closures Granya- Murray River Road/ Granya Road

As a result of the fire ALL Parks and State Forests are Mitta Mitta- Omeo Highway at Mitta Mitta Township closed to the public until further notice. For information on forest access and roads Corryong- Murray Valley Highway/ Thowgla Road visit www.parks.vic.gov.au Corryong- Murray Valley Highway/ Masons Lane

Roads and Access Accessibility Ensure you drive to the road conditions and obey any To access this information in other languages, call the reduced speed signs. Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline. Current Information on road closures is available via 13 11 70 or the Vic Traffic website: If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the Road Closures VicEmergency Hotline.

Changed Road Access

Murray Valley Highway from Bullioh to Corryong

• For access past the Traffic Management Points, residents must provide photo ID and proof of residency for access to Corryong. • The Murray Valley Highway will be open between 7.00am to 8.00pm each day. • The road will be closed at 8.00pm each day at Bullioh and Corryong. You will not be able to return after this time. It is unsafe to drive on this road at night. • This road is subject to closure at any time based on fire risk or operational activity. • Drive to conditions and obey all instructions from emergency service personnel and signs. Visibility due to smoke is poor and animals and wildlife will be moving across the landscape. • Speed will be limited to 60 km/h. • Residents will not be able to access property that is not accessible from the Murray Valley Highway. • It is possible returning residents entering this restricted area could become isolated and unable to leave the area for extended periods of time due to changing conditions or fire behaviour that may impact the road.

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Weather Outlook Forecast for Thursday 9 January Mostly sunny. Areas of fog in the south in the early morning. Weather Situation Areas of smoke haze. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 20 A ridge of high pressure extends over Tasmania, with high km/h becoming light before dawn. centres located over western Bass Strait and the Tasman Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 16 with Sea. Meanwhile, a low pressure trough over northeastern daytime temperatures Victoria extends south over eastern Bass Strait. The trough reaching 28 to 36. weakens as the high centres consolidate over the Tasman

Sea later today. The high will move further east on Thursday as a cold front crosses waters south of the Bight. The front is Forecast for Friday 10 January Hot. Partly cloudy. Areas of smoke haze. Medium (60%) expected to enter western Victoria on Friday morning, chance of showers in the south, slight (30%) chance reaching central districts around the middle of the day before elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon crossing eastern Victoria during the afternoon. A large high and evening. Winds northwest to northeasterly 20 to 30 km/h pressure system is expected to develop south of WA late tending west to northwesterly 30 to 45 km/h during the Friday then extend a ridge across southern Victoria during afternoon then tending west to southwesterly during the Saturday as the high moves over waters south of the Bight. evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and

19 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 40. Forecast for the rest of Wednesday 8 January

Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke haze. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h. Forecast for Saturday 11 January Mostly sunny. Slight (20%) chance of a shower in the east in Daytime maximum temperatures 25 to 35. the morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Winds

southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h increasing to 25 km/h before Fire Danger: Very High turning southerly 15 to 20 km/h during the day. Overnight

temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime

temperatures reaching 20 to 29.

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