January 2026 Fires

The Moira Recovery Information Centre (RIC) is at 3/29 Station Street, Cobram (opposite the Shire office).

It will remain open until at least Friday 16 January, between 10am and 2pm each day. Call the centre on 0477 796 975.

Services available at the RIC this week include:

Emergency Relief Payments (see below for more information): Department of Families, Fairness and Housing: https://www.dffh.vic.gov.au/

Emotional Care/Support Services:

• VCC Emergency Ministries: https://vccem.org.au/
• Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org.au/
• Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/

While donations of goods and money to help fire victims are greatly appreciated, please do not take donations to the RIC.

Moira FoodShare is the central donation point for both physical goods and monetary donations, ensuring support reaches those who need it most during this challenging time.

Physical donations can be dropped off on the labelled pallets outside FoodShare’s warehouse at 116 Karook Street, Cobram. Please ensure all donated items are non-perishable pantry goods to prevent spoilage.

Monetary donations can be made in the following ways:

• In person (EFTPOS) at FoodShare: Monday, 9am to 11am; Tuesday to Thursday, 8am to 12pm; Friday, 9am to 11am.
• Bank transfer:
  Bank: National Australia Bank
  Name: MHA Care Limited
  BSB: 083 945
  Account: 484 182 129
  Reference: Moira Bushfire Appeal

• Online: Donate via the link on FoodShare’s website: https://mhacare.org.au/food-share/

All donations are 100% tax deductible and will be kept separate from FoodShare-specific donations, ensuring they are directed to those impacted by the bushfires.

Cobram Community House is also accepting donations of practical goods and services.

They are accepting:

• Essential household goods (please contact Cobram Community House to let them know what you have).

• New clothing and bedding, towels, etc.
• Toiletries and personal care items.
• Services or vouchers that may help families in the weeks ahead.

Donations can be dropped off at Cobram Community House at 43-45 Punt Road, Cobram.

If you are unable to take food donations to Moira FoodShare, they can be left at Cobram Community House, who will pass them on to FoodShare.

If you’re unsure what to donate or would like to offer a service, please contact the Community House on 5872 2224.

The Victorian Government has made Emergency Relief Payments available for eligible people affected by the January 2026 fires.

Payments are based on a fixed amount for each member of your household. The payment is not calculated based on how much money you earn.

Payments are $680 per adult and $340 per child, up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family. 

You can apply for an emergency relief 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.

A support officer from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing can help you apply for emergency relief support. 

Call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 (press 0, then 1 to talk tosomeone).

Poor air quality is being experienced across the state due to dust and smoke.

What can you do:

• Stay indoors where possible

• Keep updated with the air quality in your area here.

Check Vic Emergency for updates and health advice.

Current air quality is updated hourly with data collected from The Environment Protection Authority Victoria air quality monitoring sites across Victoria. Air quality forecasts are updated daily at 5 pm with forecasts for the next 24 hours.

If your property has been affected by fire, your drinking water supply and wastewater systems may be damaged.

WATER TANK SAFETY

• Contamination risk: Fire debris (especially ash), aerial fire retardants and water-bombing water can enter rainwater tanks, making water unsafe to drink or use for food preparation.

• Rainwater collection: Only reconnect downpipes after roof cleaning or good rain; if water looks, smells or tastes unusual, do not drink it.
• Decontamination: Contaminated water can be disinfected (boiling or chlorine) or professional tank cleaning may be needed; boiling does not remove all chemicals like fire retardants.

  To disinfect your tank water using chlorine, use the following instructions. For every 1000 litres of water in your tank you can safely add:

  • Approximately 125ml or 125g of 4% chlorine household bleach, or
  • Approximately 40ml or 40g of 12.5% chlorine liquid swimming pool or dairy factory chlorine, or
  • Approximately 8ml or 8g of 65% granular ‘swimming pool’ chlorine.

After chlorinating, you should wait at least 24 hours before using the water to allow for micro-organisms to be destroyed. Avoid using household bleaches that contain detergents or other chemicals such as perfumes.

WASTEWATER SYSTEMS

On-site wastewater systems – such as septic tanks and aerated wastewater treatment systems (AWTS), and their land application systems, for example sprinklers and below ground drippers – can be easily damaged during a fire.

Avoid driving or walking near a fire-affected system until it is assessed by a licensed plumber or service technician familiar with on-site wastewater systems.

Contact with effluent or untreated wastewater from damaged on-site wastewater systems can cause illness and should be always avoided.

If your system is damaged and presents an immediate safety risk, action should be taken as soon as practicable to make it safe. For example, if the lid is missing, place a temporary cover or fencing around the system to prevent access to the area.

The system may need to be pumped out prior to an inspection, however it is advisable to only leave the tank empty for a short time.

Plastic and fibreglass on-site wastewater systems, or systems made with plastic components, are more susceptible to damage than concrete tanks – particularly if installed above ground. This includes shallow PVC pipes, plastic tanks and sumps, and plastic irrigation pipework which may be installed above or below ground.

Pumps and other equipment with electrical components may also be damaged.

It is recommended that damaged on-site wastewater systems are not used until repaired or replaced.

Due to the risks associated with using systems after a fire, the following actions are recommended:

• If the on-site systems are damaged, make arrangements to repair the system as soon as possible to prevent sewage from backing up into the house.
• Avoid driving or walking near underground pipes, tanks and tank covers and their land application systems, which may have been weakened or damaged.
• Reduce water use as much as possible until the system is inspected and repaired by reducing the frequency of toilet flushing for liquid waste; taking shorter showers or shower elsewhere; and limiting laundry and dishwashing as much as possible. If possible, avoid using automatic clothes washers and dishwashers.

• If the power has not been restored, the septic tank can be used as a temporary holding tank and pumped out periodically, provided the tank is not damaged. You may need to disconnect the pump (if present) and block the outlet to the land application area. If the tank is significantly damaged and can’t be used as a temporary holding tank, do not use the system until it is repaired or replaced.
• Once power is restored, ponding may occur near the wastewater system and these areas should be avoided. Contact a licensed plumber or authorised service technician to reassess the system.
• Replace shallow PVC pipes if they have melted as they may cause blockages.
• Repair or replace damaged electrical components and pumps as soon as possible.
  
  

Further advice

The manufacturers of on-site wastewater systems should have information and user manuals about their systems on their web sites.

Council is able to provide further advice about measures that can be taken while on-site wastewater systems are repaired or replaced. Call (03) 5871 9222.

Also go to: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/bushfire-emergency-information