Call the Emergency Recovery Hotline
1800 560 760

(Press 9 for an interpreter or call Translating and Interpreter Services on 131 450).

The Emergency Recovery Hotline can help you with things like health and wellbeing, financial advice and assistance, finding local services, insurance and legal questions, and registering for government services. About the Emergency Recovery Support Program.

Bushfire Information Hub

Affected residents should head to the Bushfire Information Hub at the Euroa Hub, 50 Binney Street, Euroa to access up-to-date information on bushfire support payments, recovery assistance and other essential services. This facility is open daily from 11am to 6pm weekdays and from 9am to 3pm weekends.

Please keep an eye on our website and social media for updates. Services available at the Emergency Relief Centre at Seymour will begin transitioning to Euroa as the incident moves from emergency response to its recovery phase.

Report how you’ve been impacted

Council needs to record the details of those impacted by the 2026 Longwood bushfire so we can secure appropriate government support for our communities.

Please provide what information you can via our registration form. The level of impact only needs to include general information such as home destroyed, home damaged, paddocks burnt, fencing lost, livestock lost, sheds lost etc.

Bushfire Registration Form

Secondary Impact Assessments

After a major event like a fire or flood, you will see Council staff and specialists visiting our neighbourhoods. They are conducting a Secondary Impact Assessment (SIA).

We know this is a difficult time, and we want to explain why we are here and how this helps our community get back on its feet.

What is a SIA?

While emergency services (like the CFA or SES) do a rapid impact assessment during the event, a ‘Secondary Impact Assessment’ is a more detailed analysis of the impact to your property.

We visit properties, businesses, and public areas to understand the full extent of the damage. We look at:

  • Your Home: A structural and hazards assessment of buildings, structures and sanitary health services on your property.
  • Your Wellbeing: Do you have what you need (food, clothes, health support)?
Why we are doing this

We collect this information for three main reasons:

  1. To get you help: We can offer referrals to vitally important services and connect you directly with them. Such serviced may include housing assistance, financial counselling, assistance with fencing or clean up.
  2. To gather detailed information on the true impacts of this event to support our community to recover.
  3. To secure funding: The state and federal governments provide money for recovery. Our SIA team’s data helps to guide where that money is needed most. Your information helps us “make the case” for Strathbogie Shire to get its fair share of support.
About the data we collect

Your privacy is very important to us. The information gathered by our teams is:

  • Shared with recovery partners: Only organisations that provide direct help (like the Red Cross or recovery agencies) will see relevant details.
  • Used for planning: We use the data to create a “Recovery Plan” that decides which projects are the highest priority for our town.
  • Kept secure: We follow strict privacy laws to ensure your personal details are protected.

A Note on Our Visit: The Secondary Impact Assessment teams are made up of Strathbogie Shire staff and specialists in building, environmental health, and community support.  They will always be wearing high-visibility vests and carry official Council identification cards. Your participation is completely voluntary. You do not have to let us onto your property if you don’t feel comfortable, but the more information we have, the better we can support you. Allowing the team to see the impact on your property helps us understand the total damage to our Shire, which helps us get support from the government.

We are in this together: If you have immediate questions, please call Strathbogie Shire on (03) 5795 0000.

SIA Frequently Asked Questions

Does this assessment replace my insurance claim?

No. This is separate from insurance. You should still contact your insurance company as soon as possible to start your private claim. Our assessment is about community-wide recovery and seeing if you need extra support from the Council or the government.

Can I get a copy of the SIA report to support insurance claim?

No. This information is not for individual use, rather the information gathered provides data on the broader community impacts and needs.

If you require an all hazards structural assessment, contact the Emergency Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.

What if I wasn't home when the team visited?

If you weren’t home, the team may have left a calling card or a note. You can call our Secondary Impact Assessment Team on (03) 5795 0000 to provide your information over the phone or to schedule a time for us to come back.

What if I need help immediately?

If you are in immediate danger, call 000. If you have no power, no food, or nowhere to stay, please call us on (03) 5795 0000. You do not need to wait for an assessment to get urgent help.

How long will the recovery take?

Recovery is a journey, not a race. Some things (like clearing debris) happen quickly, while others (like repairing bridges) take more time. We will use the data from these assessments to keep you updated on the timeline for your specific area,

Emergency Management