News Alert |

The City of Ballarat is deeply saddened by the impact of the bushfires currently burning across our state and our country.  

On behalf of the Ballarat community, as a Council we have donated $20,000 to the Bushfire Relief Appeal. We have also been in contact with affected shires in Gippsland to offer any resources needed to assist their relief and recovery operation. We have offered plant and equipment and key emergency response personnel. 

Over the next coming weeks, we will coordinate several fundraisers to raise money for the Bushfire Relief Appeal, including organising volunteers to do Appeal collections at all our Summer Sundays events. 

It’s important that we continue to work with Emergency Management Victoria in a targeted approach to assist the councils affected. However, we must also balance personnel requirements for any local fire threat in order to respond appropriately as well if needed in our region. 

While the bushfire crisis is utterly devastating, the way our community has rallied together has been truly inspiring. There have been amazing efforts in providing and supplying immediate material aid to affected areas including food, water, toiletries and hay. 

Many of you have expressed a desire to help. At this time, the best thing we can do is provide a monetary donation. If you would like to donate, a Victorian Bushfire Appeal has been established to provide practical support to Victorians impacted by the fires. The Victorian Government has partnered with Bendigo Bank and The Salvation Army to establish the Appeal, with 100% of donated funds going directly to communities in need as they begin to rebuild their lives. Donations can be made at any Bendigo Bank branch or online at vic.gov.au/bushfireappeal or Community Enterprise Foundation. 

With fires continuing to burn in many parts the country, it’s important to keep safe and adhere to the safety alerts and warnings. Download the Vic Emergency App for up to date emergency information warnings so that you and your family are informed, prepared and ready to respond to bushfires this summer. 

 I would like to acknowledge and thank the ongoing efforts of the fire fighters and other emergency service operators. Over a protracted period, in difficult and dangerous conditions, they have worked tirelessly and heroically to protect our communities.