Hindmarsh Shire Council would like to extend a huge thank you to the Emergency services crews, front line workers, Country Fire Authority (CFA), SES, Victoria Police and all volunteers, who have been working tirelessly over the last 24 hours and overnight at the bushfires in and surrounding the Little Desert National Park. It’s thanks to you that so many people will be safely returning to their homes over the next few days.
Hindmarsh Shire Council staff, alongside Horsham Rural City Council, have also been busy at the relief centre in Horsham assisting community members who were displaced from these fires. Over 260 people attended the relief centre. Thank you to all the service providers who supported the relief centre for those who were displaced.
DIMBOOLA RECOVERY CENTRE
A recovery centre will be open from 9:00am on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at the Dimboola Library, 101 Lloyd Street, Dimboola. Representatives from various organisations and agencies will be available for community members to speak with and access information including Council, Uniting, Department of Families Fairness and Health, and Emergency Recovery Victoria.
DIMBOOLA COMMUNITY MEETING
There will be a community meeting held in Dimboola from 5:00pm on Wednesday 29 January 2025 at the rear of the Dimboola Library, 101 Lloyd Street, Dimboola (location subject to change depending on weather conditions). For community members unable to attend, the meeting will be livestreamed to Council’s Facebook page.
Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Cr Ron Ismay, said “the high temperature and strong winds on Monday were certainly a recipe for some sort of disaster and it was sad to hear of the destruction of the Little Desert Nature Lodge. I haven’t heard of any other massive losses of other infrastructure. Sadly, there would have been a substantial loss of wildlife with the speed the fire travelled. I did have fears for the Dimboola township, the devastation that took place in California recently was still fresh in my mind.”
“The CFA, Police, SES and all other services along with Shire staff and community need to be commended for their fantastic efforts in keeping not only our residents, but also those traveling the Western Highway safe. On behalf of my fellow councillors and myself, thank you all so very much,” he concluded.
Council would also like to commend the community on how they have responded during this emergency, by listening to the advice given from Emergency Victoria, keeping the roads open for emergency vehicles to access, and at how they have supported each other throughout this difficult time.