Community Newsletter Upper Murray Community Saturday 11 January 2020

Conditions are predicted to be milder on the firegrounds today. Communications

Continue to monitor the VicEmergency app There have been significant impacts by the fires and listen to local ABC radio for updates. on communications towers and

other infrastructure. The weather is expected to warm up early in the coming week with light winds prevailing. THIS MAY EFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO

RECEIVE WARNINGS. The fire danger rating is predicted to be HIGH for the next few days. Limited NBN and Telstra services are now Fires are affecting some phones in Cudgewa and available. Please be aware that services may be surrounding areas. If you cannot get through to interrupted again due to fire activity in the coming Triple Zero (000), please plan for alternate days. assistance. Information on NBN outages can be found at The between and https://downdetector.com.au/status/nbnco/map/ Corryong will remain closed until further notice. Information on Telstra outages can be found at https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage- Stay Informed networks/our-coverage www.emergency.vic.gov.au Power supply www.energy.vic.gov.au  VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 https://www.ausnetservices.com.au/ 226.  VicEmergency app. Water Supply  Facebook or Twitter #vicfires

 Local radio: ABC Radio is the National Current water levels in Corryong Township are Emergency Broadcaster - make sure you critical and people have been advised to use have a battery-operated radio available water only for essential needs. with a supply of batteries, to stay informed should power be cut. Reticulated Supplies

You can listen to ABC Radio on the following We ask residents to be mindful of their water stations: usage and only use what is necessary. Current  Albury- and Wangaratta supplies are adequate but may be compromised in 106.5FM the coming days, due to expected higher  Bright 89.7FM temperatures and depending on the situation.  Corryong 99.7FM  Myrtleford 91.7FM Water Contamination

If your area is affected by bushfires, your water source could become contaminated from debris, ash or dead animals. You should not source water from a creek that has been affected by bushfire as the water may be contaminated.

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 People with a heart or lung condition, Water drawn from deep bores or wells should still including asthma, children up to 14 years, be safe to use. If you suspect contamination, use pregnant women and people over 65 an alternative water supply for drinking and food years of age are more sensitive to the preparation. effects of breathing in smoke.  If you have a heart or lung condition, take Resources: your medication as prescribed. Asthmatics  Bushfires and private drinking water should follow their personal asthma action supplies plan and keep reliever medication on https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ hand. Anyone experiencing difficulty healthyliving/bushfires-and-water-tanks breathing, wheezing or tightness in the chest should seek urgent medical  Bushfire and Public Health assistance call 000. https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public- Wearing a Face Mask health/environmental-health/climate- weather-and-public-health/bushfires-and-  It is better to stay indoors, away from the public-health. smoke unless you cannot avoid working outdoors. Health Impacts  Ordinary paper dust masks, handkerchiefs or bandannas do not filter out fine particles Corryong Health Services Ph 02 6076 3290 are from bushfire smoke and are generally not available for health-related concerns. very useful in protecting your lungs.  Special face masks called' P2' masks filter Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24. This phone bushfire smoke providing greater service allows you to discuss any health related protection against inhaling fine particles. issue with a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, 7 They are available at most hardware days a week for the cost of a local call from stores. anywhere in . If you or anyone in your care is experiencing symptoms that may be due to However, before deciding to wear a mask you smoke exposure, call Nurse-on-Call or seek should understand that: medical advice.  They can be hot and uncomfortable to Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness wear they can make it harder for you to and difficulty breathing should call Triple Zero breathe normally. Anyone with a pre- (000). existing heart or lung condition should Smoke seek medical advice before using them  If the seal around the face and mouth is Key points about bushfire smoke and your poor the mask is much less effective men health should be clean shaven to get a good seal  If maximum visibility is 1km or less, your  The masks do not filter out gases such as air quality is in the hazardous level, and carbon monoxide you need to limit your time outdoors and

limit your exercise. Heat  Bushfire smoke is a mixture of differently

sized particles, water vapour and gases, During extreme heat, make sure to: including carbon monoxide, carbon  Drink plenty of water. dioxide and nitrogen oxides.  Always take a bottle with you.  Fine particles and gases in bushfire smoke are small enough to be breathed  Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars. deep into the lungs and can cause health  Plan ahead. effects. For regular updates on what you  Schedule activities in the coolest part of the should do, listen to your local emergency day. radio station or visit  Keep cool. www.emergency.vic.gov.au  Seek out air-conditioned buildings.

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 Check-in on others. Contact the Towong Shire for assistance with  Look after those most at risk in the heat. livestock disposal 02 6071 5100.

Asbestos Livestock after an Emergency and Farm Recovery Resources: During a fire, the amount of asbestos fibres http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emerg released into the air is relatively low. However, encies/recovery/livestock-after-an-emergency pieces of asbestos material and some fibres may remain in the fire debris and present a risk to Wildlife public health if they are disturbed while cleaning up after a fire. This Environment Protection If you find injured wildlife, please report it to the Authority fact sheet ‘After a fire- Asbestos Wodonga Incident Control Centre 02 6043 4600 Hazards’ provides information about the health which will be redirected to the Wildlife risks of asbestos and safe disposal of asbestos Coordinator. after a fire. It is too early to estimate the full impacts of the Animal Welfare fires on wildlife. The welfare of injured wildlife is a key priority in both the short and long term. VFF Disaster Relief The Department of Environment, Land, Water The Victorian Farmers Federation is coordinating and Planning (DELWP) wildlife assessment fodder relief for farmers affected by bushfires in teams are on the ground wherever it is safe, Gippsland and the Upper Murray. The VFF has tending to native animals injured during the secured an agreement with the Victorian bushfires. Government to facilitate the transport of fodder to affected regions. This includes reimbursement of There have been many generous offers of help freight costs for transport of donated fodder. and support from organisations and individuals that is greatly appreciated at this time. Farmers in need of fodder or agistment should call the VFF on 1300 882 833 to register for We expect wildlife will try to move away from the assistance. fire front and burnt areas. Motorists should be extra vigilant for animals along roadsides. For urgent animal welfare and needs for pets, horses and livestock including food and water Infrastructure and Essential contact Ph 1800 226 226 or visit http://agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information. Services

Hay deliveries have been made within the fire Power area and more deliveries are planned when they can be completed safely Ph 1300 882 833 Power outages are affecting many areas inside between 9am-5pm and outside of the fire area.

Escorted convoys of milk tankers and fuel and Corryong Residents – interim power reconnected other supplies have been occurring wherever BUT only for essential services – turn off possible. appliances not required. This includes appliances on stand-by i.e. TVs, stereos, pool pumps, Landholders needing emergency fodder for chargers etc. If your fridge or freezer is empty or livestock should contact the Victorian Farmers not being used turn it off; this is to stop drawing Federation (VFF) on Ph 1300 882 833 between unnecessary power from the grid. Air 9am and 5pm or email [email protected] Conditioners can be used but it is advised not to Agriculture Victoria (AgVic) is working from keep them on all night. DELWP Wodonga assessing stock injuries and losses. Local Shires and AgVic are working For residents in other impacted areas it is not together regarding the disposal of livestock. known at this stage when power will be reconnected. Residents in fire impacted areas

Page 3 of 7 should be considering alternative power  Wodonga- Australian Defence Force Relief arrangements. Ongoing power outages will be Accommodation at Latchford Barracks – likely in the coming days. Bonegilla, Wodonga

Check AusNet Website for outages: If you relocate https://www.ausnetservices.com.au/Outages/Elec  People in affected areas are encouraged to tricity-Outages. The AusNet Facebook page register with the Red Cross at: provides regular updates. Register.Find.Reunite https://register.redcross. org.au/ or by calling 1800 727 077 Walwa Generator Connection  If you have relocated to or other areas away from these relief centres you can AusNet Services have installed two generators call: 1800 961 054 (9am – 5pm, 7 days per within Walwa town to restore limited supply to 70 week) for more information customers. Importantly, due to nature of a small independent generator situation, we require that Overwhelmed with Donations- thank you all solar systems are switched off. Please ensure that you switch off the Solar Inverter. We are asking people to NOT donate goods. Relief centres and organisations are Solar systems connected within the generator overwhelmed by donations and it is diverting zone have the potential to cause issues with the resources away from critical tasks. The best way generator, with loss of supply if solar is present. people can help impacted communities is through financial donations. In addition to this, as overnight Hot Water heating is a significant load on the network, we ask that The Victorian Government has partnered with the Hot Water Boost button is held in for 5 Bendigo Bank and The Salvation Army to seconds on the first day power is made establish an appeal, with 100% of donated funds available, prior to 23:00 to stagger the load. going directly to communities in need. Donations to the Bushfire Disaster Appeal can be made at There is potential for the generator to trip off due any Bendigo Bank branch or online via to combined hot water load after no power for a www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/mak period. These conditions will be in place until e-a-donation/bushfiredisaster-appeal/ normal network supply is restored. Updates on generator situation will be provided through the Fake fundraisers have been reported by ICC.” Consumer Affairs Victoria of doorknocking in the Gippsland communities, requesting donations for Community Support bushfire relief.

Community Support is available through the People are encouraged to ensure that their Towong Shire Council hotline phone 02 6071 financial donations are made to registered 5180 charities so their contribution helps those affected by fire. Confirm identification with a person before Relief Information providing a contribution.

Relief Centres Mental Health

Relief centres available It is normal to have strong emotional or physical  Corryong - High School, Towong St, 8am- reactions following a distressing event. There is 8pm always help available through your doctor and  - Memorial Hall, Towong St, 8am- local mental health professionals. You can call 8pm the following for support at any time:  Wangaratta- Wangaratta Showgrounds, Golf  Lifeline - 131 114 Link Lane  Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636  MensLine - 1300 789 978  Kid’s Help Line - 1800 55 1800

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 Parent Line - 13 22 89 Contact VicEmergency Hotline on Ph 1800 226 226 to speak to someone about recovery. They can connect you with people who can help.

Family violence Call Triple zero (000) in an emergency. Visit: Roads and Access  https://orangedoor.vic.gov.au/what-is-the- orange-door Ensure you drive to the road conditions and obey  Women & children Safer Steps Family any reduced speed signs. Violence Response Centre – confidential call 1800 015 188 Current Information on road closures is  Men’s Referral Service help for men using available via violence or being victimised – confidential 13 11 70 or the Vic Traffic website: call 1300 766 491 or visit traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au https://www.ntv.org.au/ Road Closures Accessibility Traffic management points are located: To access this information in other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on Walwa- Road and Harvey Street 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call Bullioh- Murray Valley Highway/ Road VicEmergency Hotline. Granya- Murray River Road/ Granya Road If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a Mitta Mitta- at Mitta Mitta speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask Township them to call the VicEmergency Hotline. Corryong- Murray Valley Highway/ Masons Lane

Financial Assistance Corryong/ Bullioh- Murray Valley Highway/ Sugarloaf Road Households in the Towong Shire can now access the following emergency payments to relieve personal hardship. Current Park Closures  Emergency Relief Assistance Payments  Australian Government Disaster Recovery As a result of the fire ALL Parks and State Payment Forests are closed to the public until further  Disaster Recovery Allowance notice.  Emergency Re-establishment Payments For information on forest access and roads visit www.parks.vic.gov.au Information about financial counselling, insurance and replacing documents and identification is also available. http://emergency.vic.gov.au/relief/#financial_a ssistance

More information is provided on your local council’s website and social media channels https://knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au/

VicEmergency Hotline

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km/h. Overnight temperatures falling to between 8 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching 20 to 29.

Forecast for Sunday 12 January Victoria Police Information- alleged looting Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke haze, mainly in the east. Winds south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h Police are aware of a number of social media becoming light during the morning. Overnight posts circulating in relation to alleged looting at temperatures falling to between 7 and 11 with properties in the North East area. To date, police daytime temperatures reaching 22 to 31. have not received any official reports regarding this type of offending. Forecast for Monday 13 January Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke haze. Light winds. While we ask the community to focus on fire, Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and relief and recovery updates, it’s also important to 13 with daytime temperatures reaching 25 to 33. look out for your neighbours and broader community. Tuesday 14 January If you believe you are a victim of a burglary or Mostly sunny. Areas of smoke haze. Light winds. theft, please report the matter to the Police Overnight temperatures falling to between 13 and Assistance Line on 131 444. Or you can make an 17 with daytime temperatures reaching 29 to 36. online report at www.police.vic.gov.au. If you wish to report a scam or fraud, visit www.cyber.gov.au/

Local police have been supported by state police resources, with units actively patrolling the fire affected areas across North East Victoria.

With the bushfire season still upon us, police urge the community to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

If anyone requires urgent police assistance, they should call Triple Zero (000).

Weather Outlook

Weather Situation

A large high pressure system will cross waters south of the Bight today, then will pass across Bass Strait on Sunday, reaching the Tasman Sea by Sunday night. On Monday and Tuesday, a low pressure trough over inland will extend southwards across Victoria to Bass Strait as cold fronts pass well to the south of Tasmania.

Forecast for remainder of Saturday 11 January Mostly sunny. Slight (20%) chance of a shower in the east in the early morning. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Areas of smoke haze, mainly in the east. Winds south to southwesterly 25 to 35

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