{"id":8218,"date":"2018-03-28T09:38:08","date_gmt":"2018-03-28T09:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/?p=8218"},"modified":"2018-04-02T04:55:37","modified_gmt":"2018-04-02T04:55:37","slug":"responding-bushfires-south-west","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/bellarinetimes\/news\/responding-bushfires-south-west\/","title":{"rendered":"Responding to bushfires in the south west"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE recent devastating fires have caused substantial losses of stock and farming assets in the region, with Agriculture Victoria setting up field response teams at Warrnambool and Hamilton to assist landholders affected by the fires, with initial focus on animal welfare and assisting farmers with their immediate needs.<\/p>\n

Animal Health staff from the department have been inspecting the area since the fires were contained with 11 field teams visiting properties to assess losses and provide information and assistance to farmers.<\/p>\n

Practical information to aid with recovery can also be found at agriculture.vic.gov.au, including: assessing livestock, disposing of carcasses, stock containment areas, agistment, water, pasture, weeds and building a sediment fence.<\/p>\n

The Victorian Farmers Federation are coordinating fodder collection and distribution with the Camperdown Showgrounds being used to receive fodder donations, for more information please call 1300 882 883.<\/p>\n

Bushfire disaster assistance: Disaster assistance has been extended to communities affected by the recent bushfires with assistance for the local government areas of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians is being provided through the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to help people who have been directly affected by the fires.<\/p>\n

Victorian Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino said that Emergency Re-establishment Assistance is now being made available in addition to the Personal Hardship Assistance Payments.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis assistance will help affected communities with any immediate needs and also help re-establish homes destroyed by the bushfires,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the impact of the fire becomes clearer, additional assistance will be made available as required.\u201d<\/p>\n

Individuals in the local government areas of Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Southern Grampians can now access the following emergency assistance to relieve personal hardship and distress:<\/p>\n