Community Newsletter Talmalmo Avoca Station Fire Advice for the Upper Murray Community

Wednesday, 1st January 2020

Information about the Fire Situation Valley, , Tom Groggin, Towong, Towong Upper, Walwa, Willow Crossing This fire was ignited by lightning in steep forested terrain in NSW on Sunday 29 December in the Green Valley area. The current fire area is estimated to be approx. 110,000 ha Water in township and growing with spotting up to 7km’s and numerous Current water levels are CRITICAL and should be used for properties affected. The bushfire is currently travelling in ESSENTIAL NEEDS ONLY. More water is currently being drawn a south-easterly direction on a large front towards from the system than is being created at this point. A NE Tom Groggin Station. It is a dynamic fire situation. Water crew will be deployed to examine infrastructure and A number of new fires have been identified within the Gibb ascertain any damage but can only do so when the fire has Range, Mt Sassafras and Mt Pinnibar areas due to dry passed and when it is safe to do so. lightning, over the past 24 hours. There is the likelihood more fires will be identified throughout the day. Water Contamination If your area is affected by bushfires, your water source could There are over 250 fire crew and support staff working on become contaminated from debris, ash or small dead this fire. The situation is very dynamic, with assessments animals. being continually updated: You should not source water from a creek that has been • At least 6 fire ignitions from dry lightning were identified affected by bushfire as the water may be contaminated. on 31/12/2019, with fires currently impacting Shelley Water drawn from deep bores or wells should still be safe to Pine Plantation use. If you suspect contamination, use an alternative water • Communications have been impacted with the supply for drinking and food preparation. Communications Tower affected at Mt Mittamatite Resources: • Significant property and stock losses within the Upper • Bushfires and private drinking water supplies Murray area. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliv ing/bushfires-and-water-tanks Power outages are affecting many areas inside and outside • Bushfire and Public Health : the fire area. Many sections of road surfaces have been https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public- damaged by the fire and require a safety assessment, health/environmental-health/climate-weather-and- including for Hazardous trees. public-health/bushfires-and-public-health

Infrastructure and Essential Services Current Messages AUS Net – All residents in prior impacted areas, don’t expect Watch and Act issued at 09:30am today for: power to be restored within next 2-3 days, possibly longer. Bucheen Creek, , Bungil, Residents in fire impacted areas should be considering Burrowye, Cravensville, Darbyshire, Dartmouth, Georges alternative power arrangements. The AusNet Facebook page Creek, , Henlow, , Lucyvale, Mitta Mitta, provides regular updates. Shelley, East, Tallangatta South, Tallangatta Check AusNet Website for outages: Valley, The Cascade, Thologolong, Wyeebo https://www.ausnetservices.com.au/Outages/Electricity- Outages Advice Message issued at 10:00am today for: What to do during power outages: www.energy.vic.gov.au Benambra, Bindi, Brumby, Dartmouth, Glen Valley, Mitta Mitta, Nariel Valley, Omeo, Tallangatta Valley, The Brothers, There is significant communications towers and Uplands. other infrastructure that has been impacted. There are currently NBN outages in Corryong and via NBN Watch and Act (downgraded from Emergency Warning) Wireless. There are two faults that are being investigated. issued at 1:00pm today for: Telstra is working on reinstatement time TBC. Information Beetoomba, Benambra, , on NBN outages can be found at , Bringenbrong, Bungil, Burrowye, Cobberas, https://downdetector.com.au/status/nbnco/map/ Colac Colac, Corryong, Crawford Crossing, Cudgewa, A mobile communication system is currently being planned – Cudgewa North, Dartmouth, Greg Greg, Guys Forest, no further details are available at this stage Hodgson Crossing, Khancoban, Koetong, Lucyvale, McNamara Crossing, Mount Alfred, Mount Alfred Gap, Nariel Creek, Nariel Gap, Nariel Valley, Pine Mountain, Shelley, Staceys Bridge, Suggan Buggan, The Lightwood, Thologolong, Thowgla, Thowgla Upper, Thowgla

The fire is now impacting the Shelley Plantation which will Animal Welfare put further pressure on the Murray Valley Fire. Assessment For urgent animal welfare needs for pets, horses and teams are currently examining the River Road and will open livestock food and water contact Ph 1800 675 888 or visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information. Livestock after an Emergency and Farm Recovery as soon as they can when safe to do so; the community will Resources: be notified when this occurs. http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/rec overy/livestock-after-an-emergency Information on updated road closures is available via 13 11 70 or the Vic Traffic website:

Community Meetings traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Today – Wednesday, 1st January 2020: Current Park Closures 2pm at Cudgewa Pub - 77 Main St, Cudgewa As a result of the fire the following campsites and parks on the Murray River are closed to members of the public until 4pm at Corryong High School - Towong St, Corryong further notice: • Burrowye Bend Reserve 6pm at Walwa Pub – 39 Main Street, Walwa • Bullock Flat Reserve • Gadd’s Bend Reserve nd Thursday, 2 January 2020: • Pebble Beach Reserve 12pm at Tallangatta Valley Hall, Tallangatta Creek Rd, • Neil’s Bend Reserve Tallangatta Valley. 3pm at Tallangatta Memorial Hall, Towong St, Tallangatta. • Clarke Lagoon Wildlife Reserve • Lighthouse Crossing Reserve • Indi Bridge Reserve Relief Information • Bunroy Creek Reserve • Burrowa-Pine Mountain National Park Relief centres have been established at • Mount Mittamatite Regional Park (also known as Mount • Corryong High School Mitta Mitta Regional Park). • Tallangatta Memorial Hall

• and for community members that are able to be self- For information on forest access and roads sufficient the Showgrounds is also available. visit www.parks.vic.gov.au

What We Don’t Know Protect Your Health

There have been property and stock losses in the areas Heat Health Alert for Friday, 3rd January 2020 impacted by fires, but it is too early to be specific. The focus The forecast conditions may cause an increase in heat is on the going fires and protecting the community. Rapid related illnesses in the community. Extreme heat can Impact Assessment teams have arrived in the area. affect anyone. Pregnant women, people with a pre- Assessments will be undertaken on the ground over the existing medical condition, people aged over 65 and coming days. children and babies are most at risk. We understand that it is stressful to not know what is People with existing heart or lung conditions, including happening. We are absolutely prioritising people returning to asthma, should follow the treatment plan from their doctor. their properties once the threat of fire has passed and it is safe to do so. Corryong Health Services on Ph 02 6076 3290 are also

available for health related concerns.

Road Closures Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24 (this is a phone service that

allows you to discuss any health related issue with a Road closures have been activated on sections of the: registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the cost • Guys Forrest Road From: Murray River Road, of a local call from anywhere in Victoria). Burrowye To: Shelley-Walwa Road, Guys Forest • Shelley-Walwa Road (C547) From: Murray Valley Highway, Shelley To: Church Street, Walwa Mental Health • Burrowye Road From: Guys Forrest Road, Burrowye To: Murray Valley Highway, Koetong It is normal to have strong emotional or physical reactions • Murray Valley Highway (B400) From: Granya Road, following a distressing event. There is always help available Bullioh To: Upper Murray Road, Towong Upper through: • Cudgewa Valley Road (C548) From: Murray Valley Your doctor and Local mental health professionals Highway, Cudgew To: Murray River Road, Tintaldra Lifeline - 131 114 • Murray River Road (C546, C542) From: Granya Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 Road, Granya To: Murray River Road, Tintaldra MensLine - 1300 789 978 • Benambra-Corryong Road (C545) From: Benambra Kid’s Help Line - 1800 55 1800 To: Colac Colac Parent Line - 13 22 89

Family Violence Weather Outlook

There is an increased risk of family violence after an Today, Wednesday - 1 January 2020 emergency. Help is available. Visit Sunny with smoke haze. Significant wind changes during the www.vic.gov.au/familyviolence or call 1800 737 732 day; light winds at first tending light to moderate west to (1800RESPECT). south westerly in the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 and 24 with daytime temperatures Useful information reaching up to 34.

People in affected areas are encouraged to register with the Thursday - 2 January 2020 Red Cross Sunny. Winds west southwest 10km gusting to 15km. at: Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross.org.au/ or Overnight temperatures falling between 11 and 14 with by calling 1800 277 077. daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 36. Use Register to let people know you are safe. Use Find to look for people you know may be affected by an Friday - 3 January 2020 emergency. Hot and sunny. Light winds. Overnight temperatures falling to between 11 and 15 with daytime temperatures reaching 33 More information is provided on your local council’s website to 40. and social media channels https://knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au/. Saturday – 4 January 2020 You can find the latest newsletters here [insert Very Hot. Mostly sunny day. Slight (20%) chance of a VicEmergency Recovery incident page link i.e. shower in the afternoon and evening. The chance of a www.emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/#somerville_road_fire]. thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during Contact VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226) to speak to the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly during someone about recovering. They can connect you with the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 17 people who can help. and 21 with daytime temperatures reaching 34 to 43.

Stay informed

• www.emergency.vic.gov.au. • VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226. • VicEmergency app. • Facebook or Twitter (#vicHAZARD). • Local radio

To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.