Community Newsletter Upper Murray Community Tuesday, 7th January 2020

Fire Situation What We Don’t Know

There are two large fires across the border in southern NSW. There have been property and significant stock losses in the There is a chance these fires and/or other fires to the south areas impacted by fires, but it is too early to be specific. The of Victoria will join with the fires burning in the Upper Murray current focus is on the active fires and protecting the area of Victoria. community. We understand that it is stressful not to know what is happening. The current fire area is estimated to be 190,000ha, with minimal fire behaviour observed on Monday. After the fire threat has passed, and it is safe to do so, the priority will be returning people to their properties. It is hoped Roads are still dangerous due to fire damage and the risks that with milder weather and reduced fire activity further associated with tree damage. As they are assessed and information will become available soon. cleared for use, they will be reopened for residents. In the meantime, there are many road closures still in place. Health and Smoke Impacts

MAINTAIN SITUATIONAL AWARENESS at all times. During extreme heat, make sure to: The fire situation has been changing rapidly and this is  Drink plenty of water. expected to continue for some time.  Always take a bottle with you.  Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars. Current Messages as at 10:00am  Plan ahead.  Schedule activities in the coolest part of the day. WATCH & ACT Message - current for:  Keep cool. , , , Burrowye, Colac Colac,  Seek out air-conditioned buildings. , Cudgewa, Cudgewa North, Dartmouth, Georges  Check-in on others. Creek, Glen Valley, , Guys Forest, ,  Look after those most at risk in the heat. Lucyvale, Mitta Mitta, Mount Alfred, Nariel Valley, Talgarno, East, Tallangatta South, Tallangatta Valley, Thowgla, Thowgla Upper, Thowgla Valley, , Ensure you drive to the road conditions and obey any Towong, , Shelley, Wyeebo Walwa and reduced speed signs. surrounding districts. Smoke can affect people’s health. Air quality is likely to be Regularly check for updates to warnings and immediately either Very Poor or Hazardous in the area for some time. follow the advice in the warning. If maximum visibility is 1km or less, your air quality is in the hazardous level, and you need to limit your time outdoors For further information - Go to: and limit your exercise. People with heart or lung conditions http://emergency.vic.gov.au/respond/ and listen to local ABC (including asthma), children, pregnant women and older Radio, the National Emergency Broadcaster. people are more sensitive to the effects of breathing in smoke.

People with existing heart or lung conditions (including Stay Informed asthma) should follow the treatment plan advised by the www.emergency.vic.gov.au. doctor. VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226. If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due VicEmergency app. to smoke exposure, seek medical advice or call NURSE- Facebook or Twitter #vicfires ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24. Local radio: ABC Radio is the National Emergency Broadcaster - make sure you have a battery-operated radio Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty available with a supply of batteries, to stay informed should breathing should call Triple Zero (000). power be cut. If you must go outside, use a face mask (P2).

You can listen to ABC Radio on the following stations: Corryong Health Services are available for health-  Albury- and Wangaratta 106.5FM related concerns on Ph 02 6076 3290.  Bright 89.7FM  Corryong 99.7FM Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24. This phone service that  Myrtleford 91.7FM allows you to discuss any health related issue with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost of a local call from anywhere in Victoria.

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Water in Affected Communities – Reticulated Supplies Infrastructure and Essential Services

We ask residents to be mindful of their water usage and Power outages are affecting many areas inside and outside only use what is necessary. Current supplies are adequate of the fire area. but may be compromised in the coming days, due to expected AUS Net – Corryong Residents – interim power reconnected higher temperatures and depending on the situation. BUT only for essential services – turn off appliances not A North East Water crew has been deployed and has examined required. This incudes appliances on stand-by i.e. TVs, infrastructure to ascertain damage to the system and advised stereos, pool pumps, chargers etc. If your fridge or freezer is town water supplies are safe to drink. North East Water supply empty or not being used turn it off; this is to stop drawing in Corryong, Cudgewa and Cudgewa North has been restored. unnecessary power from the grid. Air Conditioners can be used but it is advised not to keep them on all night.

Water Contamination For residents in other impacted areas it is not known at this stage when power will be reconnected. Residents in fire If your area is affected by bushfires, your water source could impacted areas should be considering alternative power become contaminated from debris, ash or small dead arrangements. Further power disruptions may be likely in the animals. coming days. You should not source water from a creek that has been affected by bushfire as the water may be contaminated. The AusNet Facebook page provides regular updates. Water drawn from deep bores or wells should still be safe to Check AusNet Website for outages: use. If you suspect contamination, use an alternative water https://www.ausnetservices.com.au/Outages/Electricity- supply for drinking and food preparation. Outages

Resources: What to do during power outages: www.energy.vic.gov.au  Bushfires and private drinking water supplies There have been significant impacts by the fires on https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliv communications towers and other infrastructure. ing/bushfires-and-water-tanks Fibre-optic cable has been reinstated to Corryong. NBN and  Bushfire and Public Health : Telstra services are now available. Please be aware that https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public- services may be interrupted again due to fire activity in the health/environmental-health/climate-weather-and- coming days. public-health/bushfires-and-public-health Information on NBN outages can be found at https://downdetector.com.au/status/nbnco/map/ Animal Welfare A mobile communication system is currently being planned – no further details are available at this stage For urgent animal welfare and needs for pets, horses and livestock including food and water contact Ph 1800 226 226 or visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information. Community Meetings

Some hay deliveries have been made within the fire area Corryong- there is a community meeting scheduled for 3pm and more deliveries are planned when they can be at the Corryong College today (Tuesday). completed safely Ph 1300 882 833 between 9am-5pm Relief Information Escorted convoys of milk tankers and fuel and other supplies have been occurring wherever possible. Relief centres have been established at  Corryong - High School, Towong St Landholders needing emergency fodder for livestock should  Tallangatta - Memorial Hall, Towong St contact the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) on Ph 1300  Wodonga - The Cube, 118 Hovell St 882 833 between 9am and 5pm or email [email protected]  Wangaratta - Performing Arts Centre, 33 Ford St AgVic is working from DELWP Wodonga assessing stock  Wangaratta Showgrounds - at Golf Link Lane: for those injuries/losses. Local Shires and AgVic are working together with animals regarding the disposal of livestock.  Australian Defence Force Relief Accommodation at Latchford Barracks – Bonegilla, Wodonga (register at the Wondonga ‘Cube’ before going to the Barracks) Livestock after an Emergency and Farm Recovery Resources: Community Support is also available through the http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/rec Towong Shire Council hotline phone 02 6071 5180 overy/livestock-after-an-emergency

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Financial Assistance Mental Health

Households in the Towong Shire can now access the It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions following emergency payments to relieve personal hardship. following a distressing event. There is always help available  Emergency Relief Assistance Payments through your doctor and local mental health professionals.  Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment You can call the following for support at any time:  Disaster Recovery Allowance  Lifeline - 131 114  Emergency Re-establishment Payments  Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636  MensLine - 1300 789 978 Information about financial counselling, insurance and  Kid’s Help Line - 1800 55 1800 replacing documents and identification is also available.  Parent Line - 13 22 89 http://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/

More information is provided on your local council’s website Useful Information and social media channels https://knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au/ If you relocate: People in affected areas are encouraged to register with the Red Cross at: Current Park Closures Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross.org.au/ or by calling 1800 727 077 As a result of the fire ALL Parks and State Forests are Use Register to let people know you are safe. closed to the public until further notice. Use Find to look for people you know may be affected by an For information on forest access and roads emergency. visit www.parks.vic.gov.au VicEmergency Hotline Contact VicEmergency Hotline on Ph 1800 226 226 to speak Road Closures to someone about recovery. They can connect you with people who can help. Current Information on road closures is available via 13 11 70 or the Vic Traffic website: traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au Accessibility To access this information in other languages, call the There is no access to Corryong. Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline. Traffic management points are located: If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a (B400) speech/communication impairment contact National Relay From: Bullioh To: Sugar Loaf Road Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline. Guys Forest Road From: Murray River Road, Burrowye To: Shelley-Walwa Road, Guys Forest

Shelley-Walwa Road (C547) From: Murray Valley Highway, Shelley To: Church Street, Walwa

Burrowye Road From: Guys Forrest Road, Burrowye To: Murray Valley Highway, Koetong

Cudgewa Valley Road (C548) From: Murray Valley Highway, Cudgew to: Murray River Road, Tintaldra

Benambra-Corryong Road (C545) From Benambra to Colac Colac

Murray River Road (C546, C542) From: Granya Road To: Cudgewa Valley Rd

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Weather Outlook Forecast for Wednesday 8 January Mostly sunny. Widespread smoke haze. Light winds Weather Situation becoming south to southeasterly 20 to 30 km/h in the A ridge of high pressure extends over Tasmania, with high morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and centres located to the west of Bass Strait and over the 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 24 to 35. Tasman Sea. Meanwhile, a low pressure trough over northeastern Victoria extends south over eastern Bass Strait. Forecast for Thursday 9 January This pattern will persist during Tuesday before the high Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke haze. Winds southeasterly 15 centre consolidates over the Tasman Sea and the trough to 25 km/h becoming light during the morning. Overnight temperatures falling to between 12 and 16 with daytime weakens during Wednesday. The high will move further east temperatures reaching 28 to 36. on Thursday as a cold front crosses waters south of the Bight, with the cold front expected to cross Victoria on Forecast for Friday 10 January Friday. Hot. Partly cloudy. Areas of smoke haze. Medium (40%) chance of showers in the afternoon and evening. The chance Forecast for the rest of Tuesday 7 January of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Winds Mostly sunny. Fog early this morning. Areas of smoke haze. northwest to northeasterly 25 to 35 km/h tending northwest Light winds becoming northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 to southwesterly 25 to 40 km/h during the afternoon then km/h in the late afternoon then tending southeast to becoming southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the evening. southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the evening. Daytime Overnight temperatures falling to between 15 and maximum temperatures 24 to 32. 19 with daytime temperatures reaching 31 to 40.

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