Community Meetings have been scheduled for the Castlemaine Town Hall today at 3pm and Kyneton Town Hall today at 5pm to update community members on the fire event. The meetings will be live-streamed on Mount Alexander Shire Council Facebook page and the VicEmergency-Loddon Mallee page.
Mount Alexander Shire Council has made a statement about the – Harcourt and surrounds fire event:
Mount Alexander Shire Council extends its deepest concern and support to everyone affected by the devastating fires that have impacted Harcourt and other parts of our shire.
Our thoughts are with residents, families, businesses and emergency responders at this incredibly difficult time. We acknowledge the fear, uncertainty and loss that many people are experiencing, and we stand with our communities as they respond to this unfolding situation.
Council’s immediate focus has been on supporting emergency services and coordinating relief efforts for those who have been impacted. We are working closely with partner agencies to understand needs on the ground and to ensure assistance is directed where it is needed most.
Community Meetings
A community meeting has been arranged in Castlemaine at 3.00pm at the Castlemaine Town Hall on Lyttleton Street, where you will be provided with information and support, with representatives from the lead agency CFA, and other key agencies including Victoria Police and Emergency Recovery Victoria.
There will also be a meeting at Kyneton Town Hall at 5.00pm, which will have the same information.
Both meetings will be live streamed via the Mount Alexander Shire Council Facebook page.
Emergency Recovery Centre
We are also planning to open a Emergency Recovery Centre in Castlemaine as soon as possible. We will provide information when we have the details regarding venue and opening.
Fallen trees
We know there are many branches and trees fallen across the shire. Please log a request to have them removed as normal via the Report an Issue page on Council’s website. Understand that during an emergency there are several competing priorities and it may take up to a week for us to clear all reported tree fall.
As these fires are still less than 24 hours old and are still not under control, information remains limited and is continuing to change. We ask everyone to please avoid sharing unconfirmed reports or rumours, and to rely on official sources for updates.
Most importantly, we encourage people to look out for one another, check in on neighbours, and continue to support your local communities in whatever way you can.
Further information will be shared as it becomes available.
Community Meeting details
Castlemaine Town Hall
25 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine
Time: 3.00pm
Kyneton Town Hall
129 Mollison St, Kyneton
Time: 5.00pm
Emergency Recovery Centre (opening date and time to be confirmed)
Location to be confirmed.
Please note: Emergency Relief Centres and Emergency Recovery Centres
The two sites at Kyneton Sports and Aquatic Centre and Bendigo Showgrounds are Emergency Relief Centres, providing basic support like somewhere to stay, food, water, and mental health first aid.
The Emergency Recovery Centre we are aiming to open in Castlemaine will provide coordinated support, offering information, financial help, and connection to services, acting as a hub for residents to begin rebuilding.