What a great priority for their rural communities, well done Golden Plains Shire Council and Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils.
We'd like to see all councils put this forward as an important issue.
How about it Mitchell Shire Council?This week’s 2026 State Election Priority Project focuses on scrapping the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
Council is advocating for: 🚨 A commitment to scrap the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy.
For rural communities, every dollar matters, and extra costs on essential emergency services hit harder here, where locals volunteer their time, their equipment, and often their own safety to protect the towns they love.
A great representation of many of the issues our members have faced and more. Congratulations to AnnabelleCleeland MP for doing such a careful thorough submission. ... See MoreSee Less
Please let us know if you have feedback for the Inquiry or we also encourage everyone to make a submission.Have you been affected by the 2026 summer fires in Victoria?
Now's the chance to have your say as part of a parliamentary inquiry.
The Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee is looking at a range of matters including:
🔴 Preparation and planning by government, emergency services and the community 🔴 Causes and circumstances of the fires 🔴 Emergency responses to the fires 🔴 Resilience of critical services and infrastructure 🔴 Resourcing of fire agencies, and support for volunteers 🔴 Recovery efforts in affected communities 🔴 Impact on the environment
Share your views by Sunday 15 March 2026 at vicparl.news/4040edO ... See MoreSee Less
Great article in Stock & Land from our President Bill Chisholm. If you cant read the article behind the paywall, a copy of Bill's letter is in the comments.A former regional mayor has criticised the Victorian government for failing to adequately maintain roadside vegetation. www.stockandland.com.au/story/9156175/... See MoreSee Less
We are thinking of all those affected by the fires, many of which continue and still need to be patrolled and controlled. A huge thanks to all the CFA volunteers from across Victoria, the private units, the tower observers, the community members running recovery efforts and anyone who is helping in whichever way you can. Some of our members and their communities have been affected and we hope they access support and help quickly.
Our latest newsletter has been emailed to members this morning, check your email for a update on what is happening.
For information about recovery and assistance for the fires, here is a list below of some of the services and resources available. Please take care of yourselves and reach out to others if you are able.
Agriculture Victoria - If you have urgent animal welfare needs, please call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226. You can also report livestock and property impacts online👉 agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC Emergency relief payments are now available for eligible people impacted by the January 2026 fires. An emergency relief payment can help you to pay for things you need most, including: ✅ food ✅ clothing ✅ medication ✅ accommodation. You can apply for this payment if: 👉 your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the fires and you can’t live in it, or 👉 your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property, AND 👉 you have unmet immediate relief needs. 📞 Call the VicEmergency Hotline to apply for an Emergency Relief payment on 1800 226 226 (Press 0, then 1 to talk to someone or press 9 for an interpreter). For more information go to services.dffh.vic.gov.au/january-2026-fires
Lifeline If you or someone you know needs support, please call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14, or text on 0477 13 11 14. You can visit lifeline.org.au for online chat service or lifeline.org.au/toolkit for resources to self-manage what you’re going through.
Rural Health Connect - 0493 432 144 Phone and video support for rural people from psychologists
Rural Aid- 1300 327 624 Counselling on farm on phone for farmers, may assist with fodder and water
Emergency Recovery Hotline - Victorian Government 1800 560 760 will direct you to any government supports.
What a great priority for their rural communities, well done Golden Plains Shire Council and Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils.
We'd like to see all councils put this forward as an important issue.
How about it Mitchell Shire Council?This week’s 2026 State Election Priority Project focuses on scrapping the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
Council is advocating for:
🚨 A commitment to scrap the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy.
For rural communities, every dollar matters, and extra costs on essential emergency services hit harder here, where locals volunteer their time, their equipment, and often their own safety to protect the towns they love.
Read more about this Priority Project at 👉 bit.ly/3NC1p1J. ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Jacinta Allan introduced a new $5.4bn 'Emergency Services' tax, yet our Fire Services are underfunded and not fit for purpose.
Where is the money really going?? ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Jacinta Allan has introduced a $5.4b new tax for the 'emergency services'.
Where is the money really going? Certainly not to purchase new trucks for our Fire Services! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Every Victorian is paying Jacinta Allans new $5.4bn Emergency Services Tax.
Where is the money really going? ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A great representation of many of the issues our members have faced and more. Congratulations to AnnabelleCleeland MP for doing such a careful thorough submission. ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Please let us know if you have feedback for the Inquiry or we also encourage everyone to make a submission.Have you been affected by the 2026 summer fires in Victoria?
Now's the chance to have your say as part of a parliamentary inquiry.
The Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee is looking at a range of matters including:
🔴 Preparation and planning by government, emergency services and the community
🔴 Causes and circumstances of the fires
🔴 Emergency responses to the fires
🔴 Resilience of critical services and infrastructure
🔴 Resourcing of fire agencies, and support for volunteers
🔴 Recovery efforts in affected communities
🔴 Impact on the environment
Share your views by Sunday 15 March 2026 at vicparl.news/4040edO ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Our President Bill Chisholm recently attended the Across Victoria Alliance Conference at Hosham. Great to see our signs on show. ... See MoreSee Less
This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Great article in Stock & Land from our President Bill Chisholm. If you cant read the article behind the paywall, a copy of Bill's letter is in the comments.A former regional mayor has criticised the Victorian government for failing to adequately maintain roadside vegetation. www.stockandland.com.au/story/9156175/ ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
We are thinking of all those affected by the fires, many of which continue and still need to be patrolled and controlled.
A huge thanks to all the CFA volunteers from across Victoria, the private units, the tower observers, the community members running recovery efforts and anyone who is helping in whichever way you can.
Some of our members and their communities have been affected and we hope they access support and help quickly.
Our latest newsletter has been emailed to members this morning, check your email for a update on what is happening.
For information about recovery and assistance for the fires, here is a list below of some of the services and resources available.
Please take care of yourselves and reach out to others if you are able.
VFF Fodder Drive - Check the Victorian Farmers Federation page or call 1300 882 833 or visit www.vff.org.au/vff-emergency-fodder-program/
You dont have to be a VFF member to donate or receive help
Annabelle Cleeland MP has a great list of contacts on a dedicated page www.annabellecleeland.com.au/bushfire/
Agriculture Victoria - If you have urgent animal welfare needs, please call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
You can also report livestock and property impacts online👉 agriculture.vic.gov.au/bushfires
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC Emergency relief payments are now available for eligible people impacted by the January 2026 fires.
An emergency relief payment can help you to pay for things you need most, including:
✅ food
✅ clothing
✅ medication
✅ accommodation.
You can apply for this payment if:
👉 your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the fires and you can’t live in it, or
👉 your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property,
AND
👉 you have unmet immediate relief needs.
📞 Call the VicEmergency Hotline to apply for an Emergency Relief payment on 1800 226 226 (Press 0, then 1 to talk to someone or press 9 for an interpreter).
For more information go to services.dffh.vic.gov.au/january-2026-fires
Lifeline If you or someone you know needs support, please call Lifeline anytime on 13 11 14, or text on 0477 13 11 14. You can visit lifeline.org.au for online chat service or lifeline.org.au/toolkit for resources to self-manage what you’re going through.
Rural Health Connect - 0493 432 144 Phone and video support for rural people from psychologists
Rural Aid- 1300 327 624 Counselling on farm on phone for farmers, may assist with fodder and water
Emergency Recovery Hotline - Victorian Government 1800 560 760
will direct you to any government supports.
Beyond Blue Phone or online counselling 1300 22 4636 www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/talk-to-a-counsellor ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook