Emergency services are hoping to allow residents from the fire-affected areas to return home and assess their properties from 5pm this evening. Central Goldfield Area Coordinator for Victoria Police Andrea Turner speaking at the online meeting today, said the police will lead and coordinate the return.
“I will put a message with firm plans on the council Facebook and website at 3pm this afternoon,” she said.
“We are well aware the priority in the community is to return but community safety is the first priority.”
Ms Turner said while she knows things may not be moving as fast as people would like, they need to ensure there is no risk of injuries.
Bendigo Incident Controller Michael Masters said that over night the fire hasn’t moved much, but the past few days has demonstrated that fire activity usually starts around 3pm.
“We are establishing a control line on the southern edge of Mount Alexander with large tankers dropping retardant to help secure the containment line,” he said.
“Burning out operations either later today or tomorrow will see an increase in smoke off the fire. Don’t be concerned, this is part of the work that is needed to remove unburnt fuel within the containment.”
He continued stating that while the weather conditions have been reasonably kind and there is nothing in the forecast to be overly concerned about, it is only the first week in January.
Mr Masters confirmed that the majority of community structures in the area have not been damaged. The primary school, nursery, services station, chicken shop, post office, community hall, recreation reserve, football club and mobile tower in Gaasche’s Road have been saved with a combination of good luck and the work of the firefighters.
“As of 7.30pm last night 46 houses and several out buildings were lost, six houses damaged and a number of businesses impacted,” he said.
“There has also been significant damage to power and water infrastructure in the town which is holding up the safe return of residents on a fulltime basis.
“Powercor reported that they have identified all the infrastructure they need to repair and have 45 workers in the middle of Harcourt and surrounds working on power,” Mr Masters said.
“Coliban Water say the do not drink remains in place, but they are hopeful they will have the supply reconnected tomorrow. There are significant damage points in water mains in Harcourt, but they are working to get these repaired.
“V-Line is working to have the rail line repaired and are hoping to have that completed by the end of the day on Wednesday which should see the line open from Melbourne to Bendigo.”
Mount Alexander Shire Council have opened a Recovery Hub at the Castlemaine Town Hall open each day from 11am to 6pm at 25 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine.
A range of organisations will be on site to help aid fire-affected residents in recovery. Coliban Water and Telstra will be available at the Hub tomorrow, Tuesday January 13 to answer questions.
Free Wifi will be available at the Hub.
For more information check the council Facebook page or online at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Community-and-Wellbeing/Emergencies-and-preparation/January-2026-fire-event.
Make sure to keep an eye on the Vic Emergency app or listen to ABC radio 91.1FM