Articles tagged: Bushfires
Gellibrand residents connect
Gellibrand and Kawarren residents have come together for a special celebration day, reuniting the community in the wake of summer’s devastating bushfires.
Call for firebreaks, education
Elliminyt resident and decades-long firefighter Terence O’Brian hopes that the hundreds of submissions to the parliamentary inquiry into the 2026 summer bushfires across Victoria will “make a difference”.
Funds help crews track movement
Community donations have activated a new tracking project in the Otways monitoring wildlife movement in bushfire-affected areas.
Bushfire inquiry stalled by watchdog
A promised independent inquiry into emergency management during the recent summer bushfires has been delayed, meaning potentially critical recommendations will come too late to guide preparations for the next fire season.
Volunteers continue rebuilding properties
Volunteers are continuing to assist bushfire-affected properties at Gellibrand with the recovery phase.
Meeting for community’s future
The recently formed Gellibrand Community Recovery Group is calling on residents to share their thoughts and participate in the town’s fire recovery process.
‘Climate whiplash’ hit Otways
The erratic swing between extreme heat, fires and floods across the Otways was made “significantly more likely” because of human-driven climate change, a Climate Council report says.
Shelter’s plea to drive cautiously after fires
Carlisle River Wildlife Shelter’s Carola Anstis is urging residents to be cautious of wildlife when driving through bushfire-affected areas.
Liquor licence fee relief for Otways venues following bushfires
Gellibrand River Hotel co-owner Dorthe Koorn says “every bit helps” amid this week’s State Government announcement of waiving and refunding liquor licence fees for bushfire-affected businesses.
Consider layout effectiveness after bushfires
While recent bushfires have had devastating consequences for Colac district farming families, they also offer an opportunity to review and update farm layouts.
Deakin research project focuses on family disaster resilience
Colac and district families grappling with the aftermath of recent bushfires, floods, and drought are invited to take part in a research project aimed at building family resilience in the face of natural disasters.
Livestock losses near 8000 in west
Crews have been continuing to assess the agricultural fallout of the Otways bushfires and other fires across the state, with many farms reeling from the impacts.
Carers concerned for wildlife
Concerns for wildlife are growing as the Carlisle River bushfire continues to burn, with crews particularly worried for birdlife and marsupials.
District bunkers down for brutal Otways fire front
Hundreds of residents in the Otways have evacuated as the region reels from the worst bushfire conditions seen in a decade.
Hundreds evacuate to centres
Colac Otway residents have sought shelter from the ongoing Otways fires at the city’s showgrounds and found comfort in numbers.
Convoy set to roll through Colac
A convoy of 40 trucks from south-west Victoria are set to deliver a hay run of about 2000 bales to fire-affected areas in other parts of the state.
Fires, floods and fallen trees occupy SES
Colac SES unit has had a massive week responding to fires, floods and fallen trees.
Wye River rebuild following 2015 fire
A proposal to rebuild a house impacted by the 2015 Wye River Christmas Day bushfires has reached Colac Otway Shire Council planning desks.
November rain welcome across region
Colac has recorded more than 30mm of rain across November, but fire experts are still urging caution.
Drones help with fire recovery
A swamp wildlife reserve near Camperdown has a new lease of life after an Australian-first drone reseeding program.
Lifelong mission to protect us all
A passion for protecting precious lives and livelihoods has taken Larpent firefighter Lachlan Sutherland across Victoria and interstate in the line of duty.
Brigade service runs in the family
Many Colac district families put their faith in their local fire brigades to keep their loved ones together but a Colac family has taken that commitment to another level.
Fires, wild weather and property loss
More than 16 homes have been destroyed, 30 to 40 sheds burnt and stock killed in devastating fires which ripped through communities west of Colac over the weekend.
REBUILD BLOW: Extra building red tape could stall fire recovery
A SEPARATION CREEK resident says the State Government’s new fire ratings for the coastal community are “worse than horrific” and could stop landowners rebuilding.
